Nick Sirianni defends fourth-down calls after blown conditions in successive weeks, will not make it weekly matter

Nick Sirianni made a transparent and concise assertion concerning fourth-down makes an attempt when he was requested about it for the second consecutive week. The reply wasn’t so long as Sirianni’s regular solutions are, however the Philadelphia Eagles coach wished to make some extent. 

“Each time we go for it on fourth down or set ourselves as much as go for it on fourth down, I am doing what I feel is finest for the soccer workforce at that specific time,” Sirianni stated. “I am not going to make {that a} weekly behavior of explaining that to you guys.

“I can say this: Each time I do one thing like that, I am doing it as a result of I feel it offers us one of the best likelihood to win the soccer recreation. And figuring out very effectively that when you do not convert on fourth down, that is going to be 100% on me, regardless.

“That is my function as the pinnacle soccer coach. That when that play would not go the appropriate means, there may be going to be blame available, and that is going to be on me.” 

There was a fourth-down determination the place Sirianni confronted questioning in Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Saints. Sirianni went for it on fourth-and-1 on the Saints’ 15-yard line within the last minute of the primary half when the Eagles have been trailing 3-0. The Eagles ran a faux “tush push” that led to Saquon Barkley getting stuffed for no acquire as a substitute of taking three factors and tying the sport up previous to the half. 

“I did what I assumed was finest for us in that specific case. Hey, it did not work,” Sirianni stated. “So, like I stated, when it would not work, there may be nowhere else to look however proper right here, proper on me.

“I advised you guys final night time. There may be nothing to observe up on. I advised you guys final night time who referred to as the play. That was me. I referred to as it. And it did not work there in that scenario.”

What comes into query right here is offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is the designated play-caller, so did Sirianni override him in that scenario? The choice to go for it on fourth down in the end rests on Sirianni, however the play-calling facet goes to Moore. If Sirianni referred to as the play, is there inconsistency within the play-calling? Does Sirianni name performs in sure conditions over Moore? 

“Kellen is clearly the one calling performs, however every thing is collaborative so far as the best way we undergo our course of and in-game,” Sirianni stated. “Simply because I did it in that one [instance] does not imply there may be not a play that [passing game coordinator/associate head coach] Kevin Patullo is saying within the ear of Kellen, ‘Hey, what do you concentrate on this there?’ and Kellen going, ‘Yeah, I like that concept.’

“I additionally perceive the scrutiny that can occur when one thing like that occurs. I wished you guys to know yesterday that in that state of affairs, with a questionable name there, that I made that call. … In that specific case, I referred to as that one, and it did not work.”

As for the going for it on fourth-and-1 with 14 seconds left? Sirianni felt he had two alternatives to get into the top zone if the Eagles bought the primary down. If they would not have transformed a landing, then the Eagles would have kicked. 

The Eagles completed 1-for-3 on fourth down in Sunday’s win, failing to transform on the Saints’ 14-yard line and the Saints’ 34. Sirianni additionally had Jake Elliott kick a 60-yard subject aim on fourth-and-11 on the Saints’ 42-yard line, after passing up alternatives for him to kick on the fourth down earlier. 

Sirianni definitely would not need to reply to all of his choices, however the outcomes will rear their ugly head and convey extra questions why he is making them within the first place.