Eagles coach Nick Sirianni explains why he values joint practices

The Philadelphia Eagles‘ time in Foxborough has ended. They leave as the losers of a surprisingly wild and entertaining 24-21 preseason loss to the New England Patriots. Some would call that the dessert, seeing as the main course was served over the preceding two days, Wednesday and Thursday.

Joint practices are typically where starters get their most intense work of the week now. Two sessions with Mike Vrabel’s Patriots reportedly ended with a split verdict. Observers generally felt New England got the better of Philadelphia during the first joint practice before the Eagles responded with a stronger showing the following day.

Saturday’s preseason matchup won’t affect the overall win total, but even in that we find takeaways. Long before the Patriots took the lead for good on a late touchdown pass and a game-ending fumble by rookie quarterback Cole Payton, the primary objective had already been met.

While running back Saquon Barkley recently admitted he isn’t a fan of the environment, coaches around the league continue embracing these sessions because of the opportunities they provide before the regular season begins. For Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, the value extends well beyond the final score. Speaking after Philadelphia’s week in Foxborough, Sirianni highlighted the benefits of spending two days working against a different opponent before the preseason game.

“There was good. There was bad. It was a back-and-forth practice… It was good to go against a quality opponent who’s well-coached. The hospitality here was great. We were able to get a lot of good work in.”

“There was good. There was bad. It was a back-and-forth practice… It was good to go against a quality opponent who’s well-coached. The hospitality here was great. We were able to get a lot of good work in.”

Unlike a typical practice week, the Eagles and Patriots spent two days working through a variety of game situations, creating additional teaching opportunities for players and coaches alike. The extended work allowed Philadelphia to evaluate players in situations that might only appear a handful of times during a preseason game.

“Sometimes, when you have two days of work, you can hit every situation, right? When you only have one day… we were able to get two really good days where we’re hitting red zone, and we’re hitting two-minute both days, and we’re hitting first and second down and getting back on track stuff and third down.”

“Sometimes, when you have two days of work, you can hit every situation, right? When you only have one day… we were able to get two really good days where we’re hitting red zone, and we’re hitting two-minute both days, and we’re hitting first and second down and getting back on track stuff and third down.”

Maybe Saquon Barkley is right. The fights aren’t needed. Still, joint practices have become increasingly valuable across the NFL. They offer (mostly) controlled competition without many of the limitations that come with preseason games.

Teams can script specific scenarios, repeat plays, correct mistakes immediately, and create high-pressure situations without worrying about the final score. For younger players fighting for roster spots, those additional reps can be invaluable.

Philadelphia’s week in New England provided opportunities for players like Ty Robinson, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Darius Cooper and several young offensive linemen to continue building momentum before Saturday’s game. It also allowed coaches to gather information that may prove important when final roster decisions arrive. That’s why Sirianni views the sessions as something more meaningful than a preseason tradition.

“It’s a really great connector, and we value that.”

“It’s a really great connector, and we value that.”

With one preseason game remaining before the regular season begins, the Eagles will now turn their attention to the Cincinnati Bengals. But as Philadelphia continues to prepare for another season with championship expectations, Coach Sirianni made it clear that some of the most important work may already have taken place during two productive days on the practice field.

The Patriots may have left Gillette Stadium with a preseason victory, but that’s not the outcome Sirianni will spend much time thinking about. His focus will be on the information gathered during three days of competition, from red-zone drills and two-minute situations to the game itself.

For players fighting for roster spots, every rep represented an opportunity. For coaches, every rep offered another piece of evidence. That’s why Sirianni calls joint practices a “great connector.” The scoreboard matters for a night. The evaluations made during a week like this can influence an entire season.