With The First Pick
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Philadelphia Eagles Fool NFL With Carson Wentz But…

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Eagles fooled the NFL when they drafted Carson Wentz. But they need to stop there and not try to fool us into thinking he’s better than what he is.

When the Philadelphia Eagles drafted quarterback Carson Wentz, I thought it would take a while for him to arrive. As we all now Wentz has the size, the rocket arm and the athleticism. And coming from a pro style offense puts him on a faster track. 

I thought it would take a while to adjust to the speed of the game. While at North Dakota, Wentz’ mind seemed to processed things a little too slowly. There was no way he could afford to process things that slowly vs Alabama, much less in the NFL. 

I was concerned with his poise when the rush came because at North Dakota, he freaked out when it came. And if he freaked out at a small school, he might have a nervous breakdown with J.J. Watt going at him. So I thought it was right for the Eagles to sit Wentz this year. 

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And the little I saw of him this preseason did nothing to change my position on it. Then the Eagles traded starter Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings and Wentz goes from redshirt to starter. And in Week 1, Wentz balled throwing for 278 yards and two TDs.

The Eagles fooled the NFL and got a first-round pick to make up for the one they lost for it. They knew he could play now but waited for a team to get desperate for a quarterback. So the Eagles get over on the trade and now, they’re trying to fool the media.

They want everyone to believe he’s already great and ready to lead the Eagles to greatness. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich called Wentz a combination of Jim Kelly and Andrew Luck. Yes, Wentz did very well in his first game in the NFL but that’s going a little to far.

He told Matt Lombardo of NJ.com, “The mentally tough, physically tough attitude and not being afraid to stand in the pocket and take a hit. I think Carson showed that, having played with Jim Kelly all of those years, a Hall of Fame quarterback,

“You don’t want those guys to take hits but it is the willingness on 4th-and-4 with guys coming up the middle to make the play to Ertz and take the hit because that’s what it takes to make the play and keep the drive alive, so those are good signs.”

I understand that he saw Wentz do something that reminded him of Kelly but he needs to keep it there. Kelly did it over a period of years, playing against some of the best defenses ever. Wentz did it once against the 2016 Cleveland Browns.  

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