Stephen A. Smith Sends Strong Message For Eagles Coach Nick Sirianni
On Sunday, Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles dropped their first contest since losing to the Washington Commanders in Week 16 last season. There’s a deeper issue within the setback, however.
Stephen A. Smith advised Sirianni to iron out what he wants his team to resemble.
“Where’s the defense? Where’s the offense?” Smith said Monday on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “On the offensive side of the ball, you’re running the football just twice in the second half. You’re throwing the football 38 times. You’re going up against your supposed identity. Why? Because you’re hearing noise from folks about A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith?
“Nick Sirianni has to make up his mind. Are you the boss or not? And conduct yourself accordingly in terms of doing what you can to prioritize winning football games instead of appeasing people.”
Leading up to the 21-17 defeat to Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos, reports of Sirianni’s top two receivers being disgruntled swirled. He responded by diminishing his rushing attack, spearheaded by Saquon Barkley, and having Jalen Hurts air the ball out more.
Hurts finished 23 for 38 for 280 yards and two touchdowns through the air, but Barkley was only granted six carries for 30 yards.
“The fact that the Eagles lost this game is one thing,” Smith said. “But the fact that they shed their identity, they don’t seem to know who they are, they don’t seem to be married to a certain culture, a certain way of winning football games, I think that’s something that could be incredibly alarming and we should pay attention to that.”
Raiders Set for Joint Practices with 49ers Tomorrow – Maxx Crosby Ready for the Challenge
The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for an exciting and intense day of joint practices with their Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, tomorrow. As both teams prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes are on the Raiders' defensive powerhouse, Maxx Crosby, who is more than ready to bring the heat.
Crosby, who has been one of the top performers on the Raiders’ defense, made it clear in a recent interview that he’s ready to face off against one of the NFL’s most formidable teams. “We’ve been putting in the work, and now it’s time to bring the smoke,” Crosby said with a confident grin. “The 49ers have a tough defense, but we’re going to show them what we’re made of. We’re here to compete, and it’s going to be fun.”
The joint practices will provide both teams with an opportunity to test their skills against top-tier competition. For Crosby, it’s not just about getting after the quarterback — it’s about setting the tone for the Raiders’ defense and proving that they can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
“We’re not backing down,” Crosby continued. “These practices are about getting better, but it’s also about establishing respect. We want to be one of the best defenses in the league, and this is a great test for us.”
As the Raiders and 49ers prepare for a high-energy day of drills, scrimmages, and intense competition, the focus will be on how the two teams match up, particularly in the trenches. Crosby and the Raiders’ defense will look to disrupt the 49ers’ offense, while the offense will aim to showcase their progress in the offseason.
With Maxx Crosby leading the charge, the Raiders are ready for the challenge that lies ahead. Tomorrow’s joint practice will be a critical opportunity to gauge where both teams stand as they move closer to the start of the 2025 season. One thing’s for sure — it’s going to be an intense battle, and Crosby is ready to bring the smoke.
