Mike Groh has praise for Eagles rookie Josh Adams

There have been a lot of adjustments made to this Eagles team over the past few weeks, and despite adding Golden Tate and the emergence of Josh Adams, there’s still some questions about the future and potential of this offense.

Offensive coordinator Mike Groh spoke to reporters on Tuesday about how they utilized the run game against the Giants and what they expect to see against Washington on Monday Night Football.

Here’s what the coordinator had to say:

On Josh Adams and the run game

Groh opened by saying that they were a lot more productive in the run game and that the offensive line did an outstanding job throughout the course of the game, and Josh Adams was able to find a rhythm, was reading his keys and was even able to make guys miss and create options.

The OC was asked what made them comfortable extending Adams’ role, and Groh talked about how he’s been coming on in the past few weeks and was making progress each and every week. Groh also said that Adams has earned everybody’s trust with the things that he’s been asked to do, and they’ve been able to get a lot of production out of him.

Groh was also asked if there’s anything Adams has to do or change in regards to his technique given his stature, but the OC shook that off and said that the rookie just plays running back and doesn’t do anything special due to his size.

He also said that Adams had good vision and anticipation and is a bit of an instinctive runner which made him able to bounce out of the hole, get to the edge and create even more.

Later he was asked about how Adams is as a receiver, and Groh said that they think he’s got good hands, and they’ve been able to give him a little more each week.

Adams getting more carries was also due to the Eagles offense having more time of possession than they’ve had in recent weeks, and all three backs — including Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood — did a good job when they had the ball in their hands.

Related, Groh was asked about the seemingly odd rotation, but noted that Adams sort of found the groove and they’ve been going with the hot hand.

On Carson Wentz

The OC was asked about Wentz not having many passes more than 20 yards, but Groh pointed out that he had over 10 completions of more than 10 yards, and that it wasn’t entirely by design, but kind of how the game went.

Groh was asked about Doug Pederson saying that Wentz needed to help the run game and what that means in terms of expectations. Groh talked about Wentz identifying coverages and choosing the right play.

On the offense’s slow starts

Groh was asked if they’ve come any closer to identifying the issues for them getting off to a fast start. The OC talked about how there were some positive things they saw in that first drive on Sunday, but that some penalties set back the production they wanted.

On Zach Ertz this season

The OC was asked about Dallas Goedert opening things up for Zach Ertz this season, resulting in him being on pace to break records, and Groh acknowledged that was part of it. he continued to say that Ertz is having an outstanding season, not just with regard to his receptions but overall with everything they’ve asked him to do.

On Washington prep

Groh pointed out that Washington’s front seven it outstanding, and continued to say that they are strong at the point of attack and have lateral quickness. He specifically noted that the guys on the outside can collapse the pocket and wreak havoc on the interior, in addition to having an elaborate blitz package.

Later on he talked about how Washington has really good players at all levels of defense and talked about his familiarity with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, going back to Alabama, but that they’ve got really solid corners and a strong secondary.