PHILADELPHIA – A new career-high rushing total was well within reach Sunday for Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, and nearly a quarter remained in the team’s 28-3 thrashing of the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
But as Barkley would now famously do, he bypassed the opportunity to establish a new personal high in exchange for giving fellow running backs Kenny Gainwell and Will Shipley a chance to get involved.
For the latter, the eight carries in mop-up duty were Shipley’s first touches in a regular-season game. Implementing a vice grip hold on the ball to be sure it was protected, Shipley accumulated 15 yards and gradually salted the game away.
GETTY IMAGES: Eagles rookie RB Will Shipley got his first NFL carries in a Week 7 blowout of the Giants.
Shipley, who’d seen minimal offensive snaps against the Packers and Buccaneers, benefitted from a selfless teammate.
But from a special teams standpoint, the rookie from Clemson wouldn’t get a chance to make good on his goal from last week, which was improving his coverage on kickoffs and blocking on kick return. The Giants never scored a touchdown.
But now that his nerves have dissipated and his first sample size of carrying the mail is behind him, Shipley is poised to seize the moment next time, turning it loose and playing freely.
The 21-year-old running back, currently a New Jersey resident, has also immersed himself in the Philadelphia culture, never missing an opportunity express his gratitude for landng in Philadelphia, playing in a city with such devoted sports fans.
Will’s authenticity, passion and likability make him tailor-made for a city that pulls no punches and gravitates toward those who reciprocate the love.
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 sixth installment. We discussed a wide range of topics, including his first regular-season carries, what an average day at the NovaCare Complex is like for him, cheesesteaks, adapting the life in the northeast, and even touched an off-field passion that his fiancee has helped fuel.
Andrew: You finally get your first NFL touches. What’d it feel like?
Will: “Oh, it was great. I mean, preseason is preseason, but to get out there on the real field, really first offensive snaps since Green Bay, our first game, but actually ball in the hands and be able to run around, it’s just a different feeling. Something that I don’t think I’ve even fully grasped yet. But still just really cool to be out there in an Eagles uniform and have the ball in your hands, for sure.”
Andrew: What did it mean to hear Saquon lobby for you and Kenny to get touches and bypass a career-high?
Will: “I think that’s just the type of guy Saquon is. I think that’s the type of room we have. I think if Kenny, or Ty [Davis-Price], or anybody, had the possibility to do that and give the carries to young guys, yeah, we would have all done the same thing. But huge shout-out to Saquon for just giving us that opportunity – giving me that opportunity, especially – to kind of go out there and get my first touches, especially when he had something so big in front of him. But that’s just great mindset that he has, because he knows there’s gonna come another time where he can shatter that record. So, it’s really cool to see, really cool to be a part of.”
Andrew: You had 8 carries. Did you get a chance to go back and assess? How would you grade yourself?
Will: “At the end of the day, it’s a four-minute situation, so the defense knows you’re running the football. But I think I made the most out of my opportunities. Definitely could have continued to try and make plays. You know, I think at running back, sometimes you’re given nothing and you gotta make something out of it. And that’s kind of part of our job description, so just being able to find ways to do that. But the No. 1 thing on my mind was taking care of that football, making sure I didn’t give it back to them and give them any sort of situation. Yeah, I was happy with my performance.”
Andrew: How critical are those developmental periods if you’re not getting reps?
Will: “It’s huge. There’s no doubt about it. Just putting yourself in the starter’s position. Prepping, in meetings, looking at film. It’s like, if I was the starter, how would I be preparing? And that’s what I try to match up with every week. So, I was nervous as hell going out there for that first play, I’ll admit it to you. But kind of after that first hit, I was like, ‘This is what I’ve been doing. And this is what I’ve been preparing for.’ So, I was able to just go out there and play a little more free. Definitely not as a free as I’m gonna be able to play in the future, but still, a little more free than that first play, for sure.”
Andrew: You’ve painted an interesting picture. What was it like being in that huddle? What was going through your mind?
Will: “I was just really wondering what play was gonna be called. You know, I was like, ‘Dang, so many different ones,’ and they ended up calling the end-around that we’ve had in our install for quite some time, just haven’t got to it. So, really comfortable with that play, thought something might come out of it. But like I said, four-minute scenario, they’re loading the box – everyone’s expecting run – so didn’t get a chance to really pop one off. But I’ve got a lot of time for that, a lot of time to show everybody what I’ve got in my arsenal.
“But in the huddle, I was honestly just wondering what play it was gonna be. I was nervous. I wanted to make sure I not only heard Kenny [Pickett] and what he said, but also saw his lips and what he was saying so I could just pick it up in multiple different scenarios and ways. Just in case if I missed the audio part, I was like, ‘OK, I see what you’re saying.’ But I was just double checking on every scenario.”
Andrew: What’s an average day like for you coming to the facility for work?
Will: “So, it’s so much better in the NFL than college, just because I’m not in school, I’m not doing all these extra-curriculars. It’s just ball. I come in here and take care of my body. But yeah, I usually get in an hour or two before our first meeting or first thing we have for the day. Got my little routine in terms of cold tub, you know, sauna, steam room – just get ready for the day with some red-light therapy – eat some breakfast and then go into meetings and write down as much as I can. I try to put every, single thing in that notebook that comes up on the screen. And usually in meetings all the way up until lunch, and then we go out for a little walkthrough. Get what we just installed down and be able to watch a little bit of film right before practice, after our walkthrough. Go warm up, get the body ready and prepped for practice, head out to practice and get 1% better – or more. And then head home, see the fiancee … usually cook some dinner. Last night, we actually had a great meal. Have you seen that stuff, the very viral stuff … the 10-pound lean beef at Costco?
Andrew: Yeah!
Will: So, I went to Costco, and they had it! I didn’t think they were gonna have it, because I just think those Tik-Tok trends sometimes are shaky. But I asked him for it, he brought out the whole 10-pound pig. I was like, ‘Oh, God.’ So, my fiancee and I brought that back, we cooked two pounds of it and we put a squash in the oven for 40 minutes at 400 [degrees]. And then we scraped it out with a fork, and it’s like squash-spaghetti noodles with beef, and we mixed red and white sauce with some red pepper flakes. It was one of the best dinners I’ve had in a while. So, I was pumped about that. I usually cook dinner with my fiancee, and then —
Andrew: Right. I know bison is your go-to…
Will: “Bison’s huge. So, they didn’t have that at Costco, so we did go with the beef. But yeah, the Tik-Tok trend is true … you can go get the 10-pound beef at Costco.”
Andrew: I know you’re a foodie. Have you gotten a chance to check out any Philly restaurants? What’s your favorites?
Will: “Yeah. Ahhh… I’m trying to think right off the top of my head. We went to this steakhouse.”
Andrew: Steak 48?
Will: “No, I’ve been there and it’s frickin’ amazing, but this one was really special, too. I can’t think of the name off the top of my head. I’ll have to look and bring it back for you next week. But my financee and I, we have a whole list. We’re over in Cherry Hill, but we have a list of all the great places in Philly, all the places in Cherry Hill, Haddon Town[ship]. And that’s just a culmination of stuff from my teammates, stuff that she’s found from people that she’s met at her work and stuff like that. So, we’ve got probably like 50 restaurants that we need to try.”
Andrew: And I can add to that.
Will: “One-hundred percent. Next time, I’ll bring that steak restaurant [name] back, and I’m sure you’ve heard of it. And then you can get a couple from me, ’cause this offseason we’re gonna be busy. And I’m gonna be spending some money, but you know, we’re safe with the money, but we’re gonna be smart with it and enjoy it, too.”
Andrew: Have you gotten a chance to check out any of the cheesesteak spots?
Will: “Yes. My brother [James] went to U-Penn and played lacrosse there, so he’s taken me around to all the – not even hole-in-the-wall – just like the premier spots around Philly.”
Andrew: Any ones in particular stick out to you?
Will: “I know everyone says Geno’s, DiNic’s, the roast pork sandwich…
Andrew: Oh, John’s Roast Pork! That’s my favorite one.
Will: “Oh my gosh! It is a sleeper. But when my brother took me there, and he was like, ‘It’s not a Philly cheesesteak, but you need to try it.’ I was like, ‘Alright, let’s do it.’ And it blew me away. So, I was pumped about that.”
Andrew: Because you’re food-centric, how would you build you own cheesesteak at home?
Will: “Definitely would start with the wheat roll, that’s one of my big things. And then load that baby with some beef. Throw it on there, as much steak as you could…”
Andrew: Ribeye, sirloin?
Will: “Oh, I’m doing a mix between ribeye, wagyu – probably those two cuts right there. We’re throwing as much as cheese on there as you can.”
Andrew: What kind of cheese, though?
Will: “We’re going mixed shredded and Pepper Jack cheese. As much Pepper Jack cheese as I can put on there. And then throw some peppers on there, some onions, and then as much mayo as you can fit on the roll as well.”
Andrew: What sparked your interest in real estate? It’s my understanding that’s one of your off-field interests.
Will: “Really, my financee sparked it. She majored in real estate at Virginia Tech. One of the only universities that I’ve ever heard of that has real estate as a major. But she enjoyed it a ton there. So, she does commercial real estate in Philly. And I’ve always, just from my connections, and relationships and people I talk to, I see a lot of people using the wealth that you accumulate in the NFL in real estate, and just allowing it to grow while you’re not really tending to it. Not that you’re not taking care of it – your properties and all that – but one, my financee knows all the ins and outs. So, we actually have started, I own a property back in Clemson, South Carolina – where I went to college – that’s been doing great for me. Looking to get something here maybe in the offseason, and then something down in South Florida that we’re looking to get before the season ends. Hopefully before the year.”
Andrew: You have a cheat code there, with your financee having that knowledge.
Will: “Exactly. And I try to get to know all the stuff I can from her. Just like it sounds like gibberish if I’m talking about football sometimes. That’s what it’s like with her. It’s like, ‘What did ya just say? Something about amortization loans?’ She’s helped me out a ton. And like I said, one of the positives about this league is that they compensate you well. And I don’t want that to ever go to waste, or for us to be putting that in the wrong direction. Being able to accumulate that and just be good for generations to come.”
Andrew: How are you adapting to life living in the northeast?
Will: “I’m adapting, for sure. My financee and I have got all our cold sweaters and our sweatshirts out now. We opened the guest closet, so we got all our stuff in there now that we’re ready to go with. It’s awesome. I love it up here. I came up and saw my brother probably north of 20 times. So, I’m used to Philly. I love Philly. I can’t say I’m used to the cold yet, but it’s nothing like that has ever affected me. I don’t get too hot, I don’t get too cold. I played at Boston College in November in college and it was 20 degrees. I know that’s only once, but at the end of the day, I just think that mentally I’m at a spot where the weather and stuff doesn’t affect me. If that’s what you’re talking about?
Andrew: Well, even just the whole vibe. I imagine it’s a lot more fast-paced.
Will: “Very fast-paced. And being up in the city – you know, that’s something we decided to do, my financee and I – was our first year, we wanted to go to Cherry Hill. Maybe a little more suburban, similar to Charlotte, where we both grew up. Kinda younger, apartment, just get a feel for everything. I saw what my brother did – he fell in love with the city – so, I think we can definitely end up there eventually. But as we came up here and we’re both just kind of adjusting, we wanted to do that. But then, you talk about the city of Philly, I mean, just this past week, was able to get to the Shane Gillis comedy tour at Wells Fargo Center and WWE: Monday Night RAW. So, that’s just two things that I would have never done if I wasn’t here in Philly. And I’m just adjusting to it. But when you got Wells Fargo Center, the Linc, and all these places around here, you gotta take advantage of it and go do it. And just the people that I’ve met, not around the team or people I’ve known, they’re just all awesome. You can tell just how pumped people are in this city for the sports programs, and the Eagles specifically. We’re at Shane Gillis, and ‘E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles’ is the loudest the crowd got the whole time, in my opinion. It’s just so cool to be here. And I don’t think I could ever put it into words of just how appreciative I am to be in Philly, and just how much I’m gonna embrace it.”
Andrew: What’s one thing you’re looking to work on this week?
Will: “Just continue to hone in on that punt protection. You know, stepping up as the P.P. and just leading that group as well as I can and making sure we’re protecting Braden [Mann] back there. And then I would say if I continue to get those reps on offense, is to relax a little bit out there and be able to get back into that mindset of going to make a play, and maybe not trying to avoid a mistake, but going to make a play. There’s a big difference between the mindsets. In the situation I was, I knew I was gonna protect the football with my life – you know, that ball was not getting out of my hands, I didn’t care if I had to tip-toe to do so – but just if I get another opportunity, go out there and kinda hang loose and let it go.”
– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.
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