The Eagles had their newest edge rusher on the field and busy just a week after being traded to Philadelphia, and Jaelan Phillips spoke to reporters after his debut about the significance of the moment.
He noted how Monday’s game was surreal, explaining the feeling of being with a new team and on a new path, with a new destiny, and for the game to play out like it did, he was feeling overwhelming gratitude. Phillips said that he studied the playbook during the week, and it’s important that he’s able to play loose and free, and to be emotionally invested in the game, which he was able to do against Green Bay.
“I think for me, the calls are very simple, and that’s what kind of made it easy for me to just let it loose and be as effective as I could. It’s fun to be part of games like that — and then my Dad and my Uncle flew out and did a road trip from Chicago to come up here, so to see them in the front row in the stands after the game, that’s priceless, you can’t replicate that.”
Here’s what the newest Eagles edge rusher had to say:
On his first game as an Eagle
“I just felt super grateful. It was the first time in awhile that I’ve gotten a little emotional before a game, just this stage, coming here — this is my first time at Lambeau, walking out through that tunnel. It doesn’t get better than that, so I mean, definitely grateful.
Felt amazing energy from the guys. There was just an air of confidence and everybody played together. We had a great game, honestly, it was super gritty. So, I’m just grateful to be here, for sure.“
He went on to describe his feelings of gratitude, noting how huge it was to be playing in Lambeau Field on Monday Night Football in an Eagles-Packers game. Phillips said he tried to take it all in, and he definitely felt the energy.
Later he also talked about what it was like on the sideline through some of the closer moments of the game.
“The biggest thing I noticed was just no panic. Like, the whole entire time, like there was just the utmost confidence on both sides of the ball. It felt really good to be in that environment and just to know — the defense was handling our job, and the offense did what they needed to do. It was a great environment and such a fun game to be apart of for the first one out.”
Phillips said that Brandon Graham has been amazing to him so far, and the newest addition feels like he’s known the Eagles legend for years.
“To see the joy that [Brandon Graham] has to come out and play this game, I mean, that’s what it’s all about.
And then, Nolan [Smith] as well, I think he’s been chomping at the bit to get back on the field, and he deserves it all. I thought Jalyx [Hunt] played a great game. All of us really did what we had to do, and played with great effort out there, and just had fun. So, it’s really cool to see all the guys coming back, and I think it’s kind of fortuitous that […] we’re all coming back at the same time.“
On his contributions
“I’m just glad I could come in and help the team. My biggest thing coming in, no ego, and just wanted to earn the respect of my teammates, of my coaches, and the fans, and everybody. All I can really do on my end is, obviously, do my job and know my plays and everything like that, but just play with fanatical effort. And that’s what I do, play in and play out. So, obviously it was great to be able to get some production and makes big plays for the team, and what better stage to do it on.”
Phillips later talked about the pressure he got that resulted in Jalyx Hunt getting the sack, and he talked about how pass rush requires selflessness, and as long as guys are making plays, they’re all winning. He also noted that next time he hopes to get the ball out in that situation.
On stopping the run
Phillips talked about how stuffing the run in equally as important, if not more important that the pass rush.
“Obviously, the sacks are flashier, everybody talks about pass rushers, but truly you can’t rush the passer unles you stop the run. So, I think it’s a bit of a pride thing. Really, you can kinda see pass rush as finesse, like sexy, but stopping the run is gritty. It’s hard and it takes toughness, and I think that’s what we showed.”
When asked specifically about what it was like having Jalen Carter up the middle, Phillips said that they rushed well, but there’s still meat on the bone. He noted that they’ve only had a few days of practice together, and as they spend more time together, he expects the rush will be more cohesive.
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