Earlier this week on the 94WIP Morning Show, Nick Sirianni shared some news and raised his hand.
What play did Kenny Gainwell make for three runs and 11 runs in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s OT win over the Commanders?
Sirianni said he overruled offensive coordinator and play-caller Brian Johnson on the matter. Johnson wanted to call the pass and Sirianni wanted to call the run. So the Eagles called a run.
“I don’t do this to Brian very often,” Sirianni said on his radio show, but in Wednesday’s press conference Sirianni was asked how often he overrules his own play calls.
“Sixteen times,” Sirianni joked.
Granted, it may be difficult to know exactly how many times Sirianni will beat him, especially since Sirianni and Johnson work together. But it’s an interesting factor that will determine the success or failure of the offense, especially since we know Johnson is the regular play-caller.
The only reason we know Sirianni overruled him on this particular conference call is because the play failed and Sirianni admitted it. I wonder how many times this has happened before, whether the play was successful, and how many times it will happen in the future.
“What people don’t understand is that we’re all going through this process together,” Sirianni said Wednesday. “Being here, the offense hasn’t changed much in terms of the scheme we’re running from Shane.” [Steichen] To Brian.
“I was hired here as an offensive coach, so I have a vision of what I want it to look like. I’m in every offensive meeting, both game planning meetings and offensive meetings. We’re all We think about it together and discuss everything together. And obviously, just like with Shane, I’m sitting there talking to him.
“It’s still the same… If you want the answers that you think you’re looking for, this is no different than with Shane and me and Brian. I have told you a few things, but the situation remains the same.”
Shortly after the press conference, Sirianni was asked about the dynamic between him and defensive coordinator Sean Desai, who is in his first year with the Eagles.
The difference in the dynamic between Desai and former DC Jonathan Gannon is that Sirianni and Gannon have been working together for a long time, even before coming to Philadelphia. Sirianni and Desai are still getting to know each other.
“Again, I hired Sean to do a job, and I think he’s doing a great job. But I also want to know what the job description is and in certain situations. We have to be very clear about what we need,” Sirianni said. “So, I’m hiring him to do a job and I don’t want to micromanage in any way, but I still have a vision of how I want everything to be as a head football coach. Because… After all, everything in there has my name on it.”
Sirianni used the term “micromanagement,” which brings up an interesting line that relates to both Desai and Johnson. How does Sirianni know when to intervene and when not?
Sirianni eventually became the head coach, but he hired Desai and Johnson for their jobs.
“Do I work harder on offense than defense? Yes,” Sirianni said. “But I don’t know if micromanaging and just being very detailed are two different things or a fine line.”
It’s hard to argue with success, but Sirianni has clearly succeeded. The Eagles are off to a 4-0 start this season after making the Super Bowl in 2022 and are 27-11 in the regular season since taking over in 2021.
“So, are there times when you want this?” Yes,” Sirianni said. “But again, I’m the head coach. If that’s micromanaging, that’s what it is, but at the end of the day, like I said, the product on the field has my name on it. That’s my job as a head coach.”
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