Frank Reich ‘couldn’t be happier’ with how Nelson Agholor has bounced back

Frank Reich spoke with reporters about a rather solid offensive performance despite the Eagles’ loss to Washington. Here’s what he touched on:

On Carson Wentz, who Doug Pederson said played best game of the year

I thought Carson played really well. Again, he just stayed in control, he was good on third downs, made a few chunk plays, made some plays with his feet. Just played a good overall game.

On Wentz’s improved pocket awareness

I think you can definitely see the experience coming more into play in the pocket, in a lot of ways, including some decision making. Like you said, in the pocket, he’s just had a really good knack of making a few good plays on his feet. And I think what we’ve also seen is his natural athletic ability and strength going into this lsat game, which we all saw and knew was there. It was just a matter of time before it came out.

On Wentz’s ability to improvise and create

One thing we do in practice, we’re pretty fanatical about not every play goes perfectly in practice, so if there’s a bad shotgun snap, for instance, in practice, or a play breaks down in practice, he’s moving. Those things always look like they’re improvisation, but actually we try to practice those. You can’t practice enough of them, but yes, it’s something that comes with experience. They get to see him and trust his movement, and he still has good vision down the field. That’s always a work in progress.

On talking to Carson Wentz about getting the ball out on time

Timing and rhythm is a discussion on every play. We’re looking to get it away quick. I do think Carson has a good internal clock in his head. There are times when he can extend a play and he’s waiting and waiting, but in the pocket, I think his decision making is pretty good. He has that sense of timing and rhythm, and wants to get it out pretty quick.

On what he’s seen from Isaac Seumalo’s last few games

It’s almost a little bit like what you saw with [Halapoulivaati Vaitai], he came in and had an up and down start and then settled in a bit. You can see Isaac settle down and play pretty solid football. There’s nothing that can substitute experience and getting in there and playing, and there’s nothing that can build confidence like playing, one play at a time. When you’re playing along side other guys, and the guys have got some juice and they’ve got you feeling that support, I think those are things that build confidence.

On Wendell Smallwood’s rookie year

I love Wendell. I’ve said this from the start: he’s really got good aptitude in the run and pass game, I think he’s fearless, I think he runs hard, he’s got good explosion through the hole. He’s got good patience to the hole. Even though he’s out for the year, we’re still thinking the arrow’s way up and positive on him.

On Trey Burton’s production, and his role in the final three weeks

Trey’s been pretty consistent. The season’s been normal in that some guys come in and out of phase, and they get the ball and then don’t get the ball. But we’ve seen it all the way from training camp, Trey’s a playmaker. Carson has a lot of confidence in Trey, that’s why he’s on the field as much as he is. A lot of that is us as coaches, and our quarterback, having confidence in him. So I would anticipate that’ll continue.

On Nelson Agholor bouncing back from being benched

Couldn’t be happier with how Nelson’s responded. Just a mental toughness, positive attitude. Even the big play, the interference call, you could just see the speed running by the guy. That was good to see. He just continues to build that back one play at a time.