With seven games to go, Shipley equated it to a half-season of college football.
Shipley, of course, is well aware of what week it is, but to hear it out loud put things into perspective.
Shipley will tell you that when he’s doing something he loves, time flies.
He never takes a day walking through the Eagles’ NovaCare Complex doors for granted and remains present at all times, appreciating this group of teammates and cognizant of never taking any moment for granted.
There was no on-field goal this week, just gratitude and appreciation for being where his feet are.
There’s a noticeable hunger and determination within Shipley, who obsesses over his role and fixates over doing everything possioble to put the Eagles in the best position – dominating his box, if you will.
Sunday night in Los Angeles will give him another opportunity to do just that.
As part of an Inside The Birds “Rookie Diary” series, I’ll be checking in with Shipley throughout the season, learning more about the first-year running back and chronicling his rookie campaign.
On Wednesday, we chatted for our eighth installment.
Andrew: How did you manage the short week in terms of recovery and things like that? I imagine it was probably the quickest turnaround you’ve experienced. 
Will: “Yeah, it was definitely different. You know, it was the first time I played two games in that short of time. Trying to think … in college I played on Monday night and Saturday. So, is that the same amount of days? Monday to Saturday, so that’d be five, six. I think it’s a little shorter, so yeah, this was the quickest turnaround I’ve ever had and it was definitely interesting. But, you know, the organization does such a great job taking care of us and really allows you to hone in on the mental aspect of things. So, that’s what I was able to do, get the physical aspect ready to go and do al the recovery you can here, at home, on the plane — I mean, wherever you can get it in, you got to get the recovery in, just because of how short the week was. But the mental aspect of it was great to be able to feel what it’s like to have to cram and get ready for a team in a short amount of time.
Andrew: Now for a younger player, did you get the sense there was more intensity going into the games against Dallas and Washington being divisional games?
Will: “I think it’s tough to explain because, obviously, being in your division, all those games are so important. But I think around here, we just like to treat every team like we’re playing against ourselves. Because if we play great, then nobody can beat us. And that’s what we believe, you know, with the thought in the back of the mind that it’s a divisional game and you gotta step up to the stakes and make everything happen. Yeah, I think there’s always a thought about that, but also, just going out there and preparing like it is another game of regular season NFL ball.”
Andrew: You had a 33-yard kickoff return against Washington, and I couldn’t help but think back to chats we’ve had. What did you see on that?
Will: “It’s great. It’s great just to be able to get some more opportunities here the past couple weeks, some against Dallas and some against Washington as well. And I think just being able to go out there and help the team out in any way I can … you know, if it gives the offense three or four more yards on starting position, then that’s what I’m gonna do. And eventually, I’m gonna break one. It’s coming soon, I’ve just got a handful under my belt right now and I’m just feeling more and more confident out there. As the weather gets colder, we start returning a little bit more of these kicks, just lookign forward to improving week by week.”
Andrew: It looks to me like you run with a purpose, you seek contact. Is that right?
Will: “I wouldn’t say seeking contact, I would say looking for the end zone. [Laughs]. I get that ball and I just wanna take it to the crib, especially when we’re at the Linc, just light the stadium up and just go out there and continue to have a great time. I think the reason I’m playing football is because I love scoring touchdowns, I love having the ball in my hands. I’ll do whatever my position and role is, as I’ve shown this year, but to be able to get some of those on kickoff return is a great feeling.”
Andrew: Who sets the tone on special teams?
Will: “I would say our core three specialists with Jake [Elliott], Braden [Mann] and Rick [Lovato]. They do such a great job, all the way up to Coach [Michael] Clay. Throughout the week, that’s what he does, is he allows us what we need to do headed into the week, how to prepare, what we’re up against, who we’re facing. And then those three guys that I mentioned, they’re core teamers. Jake is put in big positions, he steps up. Braden does the same thing, he flips the field. Rick, snapping the ball and getting it back there. I think those three guys go unnoticed a lot of the times, but Coach Clay and those three really set the tone for our special teams group and a huge reason why we do it as well as we do.”
Andrew: You’ve had games in which you’ve had eight, nine carries. What have you learned about being an NFL running back – do the holes close faster? Are the hits harder?
Will: “I would just say ball is ball at the end of the day. You can make it up to be something big, and I did – I think we talked about my first time getting out there against the New York Giants and how I kinda felt – but at the end of the day, ball is ball. It’s the sport I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old. Yeah, the holes close faster, guys hit a little hard – they’re always chasing after that football – just different things like that.
“You notice an increase at every level, from middle school to high school, high school to college, college to the pros. And if you’re fortunate enough to make it here, then I believe you’ve earned your spot. So, just going out there and continuing to gain that confidence and understand that I can do it at the highest level and I can do it just as good as anybody. And that’s the mindset you have to have.”
Andrew: You mentioned to me that you’re going to hit the weight room after this conversation. Is there anyone you’re competing against? Any specific lifts?
Will: “I wouldn’t say competing. At this point in the season, it’s kind of, we’ve found our team and we’re very unified. But I think going in there and comepting as a team against other people – or other entities you just make up in your head – is you never wanna get a day behind.
My mindset towards it is, if I can get the advantage just by taking 15-20 minutes out of my day and hitting the weight room after practice, getting a little bit stronger, if that allows me to last one or two more games, takes us into the Super Bowl, it’s worth it. It’s worth it every time. So, I think that’s where it comes from. Sometimes you don’t want to do it; sometimes you want to get home to the fiancee and a nice, warm-cooked meal. But at the end of the day – how can you get that advantage in this league?”
Andrew: How are you feeling physically, 10 games in?
Will: “Yeah, it’s crazy that we’re already 10 games in. I knew that, but just hearing it out loud is crazy to think. I guess that means seven regular season games left, which is, like, half a college season. It’s a great feeling. The season has flown by, and I think that’s a great sign for me, because how my life has always gone, when I love what I’m doing, time flies. And I know that’s a saying, but it’s flying for me right now.
“I’m just so indulged on getting better in every aspect, and when I get to go out to practice on Wednesday and get some carries and just feel like I’m bettering myself, I would do it year-round if we were able to. Now, you ask me that a couple years down the road and I’m a vet, I’ll probably have a different answer for ya. [Laughs]. But just being so young in the league and being in a room with Saquon, Kenny – vet guys – I see how much better I can get. I’m really hungry at this point in my career.”
Andrew: You and the running backs seem to be pretty close-knit. Do you guys hangout outside the building?
Will: “Whenever we get the time to. Saquon is busy as hell. So is Kenny. We really all are … we’re all at different parts of our lives, which I think is what makes us so close. We all add different perspectives and different aspects. Even talk about TDP, Tyrion Davis-Price; he’s one of the funniest dudes I’ve ever been around. So, just glad I get to spend every day with him, too.
“I think we got such a great room and it all starts with [Running backs] Coach [Jemal] Singleton, who he is as a man, as a coach, how he leads us. And I think that’s played a huge role in how tight-knit we are. But also, when you gotta leader like Saquon, that’s just the room that he breeds. A lot of guys look up to the top dog in the room to feel it out and see how it is, especially as a rookie, and couldn’t ask for anybody better in terms of cohesiveness, leadership, leading by example, being a role model on and off the field. Just as always, I’ve got nothing but great things to say about him, and I think that’s a reason our room is so close, too.”
Andrew: What about Ty do you find humorous?
Will: “Man, it’s just the comments he makes – he’s just a funny guy. He’ll catch you off-guard, by surprise. He’s a very sarcastic guy, especially as a rookie, coming in and having to meet him from Louisiana. So, I struggled to pick up his accent at first, but I’ve got it down now. And he loves playing with me, man. I’ll walk in at 7:30 in the morning and he’ll be like, ‘Hey, Coach Sirianni wants to see you up in his office!’ First couple times, he got me, but now I know he’s just lying to me. He’s just a funny guy, really sarcastic. Another one of those great-hearted dudes who just cares a lot about you, cares a lot about the room, and how he carries himself.”
Andrew: How will you be spending the flight [to Los Angeles]?
Will: “That’s a great question. I actually just watched this new Netflix documentary, I think it was called the “Lost Children.” It was a real story about the four indigenous children who got lost in the Amazon rainforest after a plane crash. They were traveling with their mother and a couple of the mother’s friends. The mother and all of her friends died. Oldest child was 11 or 13 years old, and they had a baby as young as 11 months old, and they survived for 40 days in the Amazon rainforest. It was crazy.
“They had the Colombian army or whatever they go by – they put everybody out there, top commanders – to try to find them. It actually ended up being indigenous volunteer searchers that found them in the forest the day before they left.
“And just started the new AP Bio documentary. It just came out on Netflix, too. It’s kind of more of a comedy, this really [renowned] psychology teacher – he’s not a teacher, he doesn’t wanna be a teacher – he has to take a year off his actual job and they assigned him to come teach and he doesn’t wanna be there. So, I just started that with my fiancee, too.”
Andrew: So, are you gonna watch that on the plane, before she gets to see it?
Will: “Am I tellin’ on myself right now? No, I’m kidding. No, I’ll save that one. She’s not a big show-watcher, so a lot of the series that we start together, we’ll get about a season in and she’ll be, ‘All right, you can finish that one. Let’s start another one.'”
Andrew: So, what does that leave for you for the flight?
Will: “That’s what I gotta ask her. Maybe I’ll try to binge about a season from here until we leave on Saturday, and then she’ll be like, ‘All right, you could just watch that on the flight.'” [Laughs]
Andrew: Last one. What’s something you’re looking to work on this week?
Will: “You know, I’m gonna keep it off the football field this time. I think it’s just appreciating the journey that I’m on. And what’s making me say this is, I was thinking the other day – we were looking at what we’re doing this offseason in terms of where we’re traveling and all that stuff – and I just think in my head, ‘I really get to travel all over the country just playing ball.’ I’m going out to L.A. and SoFi.
“How many people would love to go out to SoFi and let alone watch ball, but to be able to play ball in that stadium. Yeah, this week’s more off-the-field, just appreciating what this comes with and never taking it for granted. I think, especially when you’re getting 11, 12 games into a season, maybe it’s getting monotonous. Not for me. So, just making sure I’m not doing that and just appreciating the moment, the guys that I’m around, everybody that’s pouring into me and just try to help anybody I can, too.”
Comments are closed here.