Cause for Concern
Q&A: Is the Hurts/Brown Connection Falling Apart?
Despite their 11-2 start to the season and nine straight wins, major concerns and potential distractions are rearing its head for the Philadelphia Eagles.
On the latest edition of “Q&A” on “Inside The Birds,” former Eagles standouts Jason Avant and Quintin Mikell discussed the latest news and broke down the team’s biggest issues.

GETTY IMAGES: QB Jalen Hurts and WR A.J. Brown’s relationship has come under scrutiny following comments by Brandon Graham.
Brandon Graham
Jason Avant: “I was surprised B.G. said those things [about Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown’s relationship]. I did talk to him and he didn’t mean anything by it at all”
Quintin Mikell: “We know BG. He didn’t mean it in a malicious way and it’s unfortunate that it came out.”
Jalen Hurts/A.J. Brown
Mikell: “There are quarterbacks that have disagreements with their receivers, the way I look at it is like two brothers. Obviously A.J. wants the ball, and rightfully so…I have confidence that at the very least, they’ll talk and hash it out and focus on ball.”
Avant: “This was a little crack after the game what A.J. said about passing nonchalant, which caused people to poke and prod, but it was still on the outside. What was said on WIP causes it to be open now and known, it’s not speculation anymore, it’s verifiable. It adds a different dynamic to it…one thing I will say is this team seems to relish in adversity, especially self-inflicted adversity.”
Jake Elliot
Mikell: “He’s struggling right now. I remember when we played, David Akers had his struggle, there’s only so much you can do or say as a player, they just have to get out of it on their own.“
Avant: “It’s easy to be blamed when you’re a kicker and everybody’s looking at you when the ball’s in the air…when that pressure is on you, you have to be able to go to a different place mentally.”
Passing Game
Mikell: “I know Jalen missed some throws, but I’m very impressed with the decision making. He had a couple of opportunities where he could have thrown some interceptions, but he made smart decisions, even if it wasn’t popular decisions. He controlled the ball enough for this team to win the game…it seems like the route combos and scheme are not fitting when they are being called. You’re calling RPO on first or second down in situations where you know the defense is going to play more coverage. I don’t think there are opportunities to really scheme up and get your stars the ball.”
Avant: “The passing game does not match the running game…our play action is not as strong as it should be having that successful of a run game. When Hurts has been successful over the middle, it’s usually off a play action pass, it’s not something we do enough on…it’s also Jalen’s responsibility to show Kellen Moore and the offense that he can go through these concepts successfully so that they won’t give him a reduced elementary offense that they’re running towards the end of a game”.
Cooper DeJean
Avant: “[Adam Thielen] kicked Cooper DeJean’s butt, and that’s good. This is one of those games that you can go back and laugh and learn a bunch from.”
Mikell: “This was a good learning experience for him. You have to treat veteran receivers almost like they are tight ends; they are going to get into your body, change up their speed, not run every route like a true slot. If Cooper could go back into the game again, I think he would be a little bit more patient.”
– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.
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