Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Bowen: Pederson proceeding cautiously on Bradham case

AS REPORTERS waited in an interview tent for Doug Pederson to speak to them Wednesday, the Eagles' first-year coach leaned into a practice-field huddle. No one in the huddle wore a uniform. The strategies being discussed weren't in Pederson's playbook.

Linebacker Nigel Bradham will be able to practice with the Eagles while his arrest for aggravated battery is investigated.
Linebacker Nigel Bradham will be able to practice with the Eagles while his arrest for aggravated battery is investigated.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer

AS REPORTERS waited in an interview tent for Doug Pederson to speak to them Wednesday, the Eagles' first-year coach leaned into a practice-field huddle. No one in the huddle wore a uniform. The strategies being discussed weren't in Pederson's playbook.

Pederson conferred with Eagles football operations vice president Howie Roseman, team security chief Dom DiSandro, player personnel vice president Joe Douglas and public relations director Derek Boyko.

The subject was linebacker Nigel Bradham's arrest this week for aggravated battery in Miami, but there was a subtext. Pederson's tenure is just getting started. This is the second tawdry incident involving an Eagles player in seven weeks, following the sexual assault allegation against wide receiver Nelson Agholor that did not result in the filing of charges. This is an organization that tends to look down on NFL franchises known for coddling antisocial behavior; under former coach Chip Kelly, players understood that there was no place here for guys who caused the team grief off the field.

Whether it was ultimately a wise move or not, Kelly dictated the release of Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson after Kelly's first season, the best of Jackson's career, because Jackson didn't feel like adhering to all of Kelly's rules.

Pederson is here to set a different tone from Kelly, friendlier to players. Roseman, lacking early- round draft picks this spring after trading up to select quarterback Carson Wentz second overall, crossed his fingers in later rounds and then after the draft, taking chances on guys whom Kelly would not have welcomed, based on incidents in their backgrounds.

But Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie isn't looking for his team to become Dallas East. Pederson's task Wednesday, as he addressed first reporters, then his full team, was to make sure everyone understood that Lurie's desire for a more empathetic coaching approach wasn't a get-out-of-jail-free card.

The tone Pederson sets in these early days is important. He can't be seen as over- or underreacting. A few eyebrows arched Monday when Pederson's takeaway from Agholor's episode with a strip club dancer seemed to be that "we all make mistakes."

Pederson said he met with Bradham Tuesday evening at NovaCare. Bradham officially reported with other vets Wednesday, and Pederson said Bradham would practice with the team Thursday. Pederson said he didn't foresee Bradham being released. An NFL spokesman said the arrest is "being reviewed under the personal conduct policy." Aggravated battery is a second-degree felony.

"Until we get further information from the authorities in South Florida, and with Dom (DiSandro) and the people here, I just felt, don't punish him for being here," Pederson said. "Just let him practice, let him report, let him go through physicals, conditioning tests, all of that, and we'll see what happens in a few days."

Pederson said he had "a great conversation" with Bradham, 26, who signed a two-year, $7 million free-agent deal with the Birds in March to be the strongside starter under Jim Schwartz, Bradham's defensive coordinator in Buffalo two years ago. "I laid out my expectations for him. Those are private conversations, so I'm not going to get into a bunch of detail on that. But he's obviously humbled by (the arrest) and he understands the situation and the magnitude. But until we get further details from the authorities, I can't speculate any further."

Pederson said he talked to his players in April, in his first meeting with them, about his expectations.

"You've got to make smart decisions," he said. "We're in a high-profile business, and being in the city of Philadelphia, things get magnified a little bit, and you've just got to be smart and careful, and make good choices."

Pederson said he intended to reiterate that message Wednesday night when he met with the team, in preparation for Thursday afternoon's first full-squad workout of camp.

"I address the team quite often, actually, on making those (decisions)," he said. "I addressed the rookies just the other night, and then, tonight's meeting, we'll have the same message."

Pederson said he would handle discipline "case-by-case." He acknowledged that players come from "different cultures, different cities, different organizations," but concluded: "I just know this - when they come to the Philadelphia Eagles, there's an expectation level that needs to be upheld, and it starts with me. I have to be very clear where I stand with the players and the coaches, for that matter, and make sure they understand. Once they leave the facility, they're citizens. But at the same time, the players understand they represent their families, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the entire organization."

Defensive end Connor Barwin said players know expectations for off-field behavior under Pederson are no different than they were under Kelly.

"It's very much the same," Barwin said. "Jim Schwartz talked to us about that. Doug talked to us about that . . . we're always representing not only ourselves and this organization, but this city and our families. That's what Doug has always said, and that's what Chip said, too."

Barwin was briefly in the company of Agholor and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox as they celebrated the end of minicamp on the afternoon of June 9. He has said he left before the incident took place that ended up with a dancer accusing Agholor of sexual assault, in what a team source has said was a dispute over money. Police investigated, but the Philadelphia District Attorney's office announced last week no charges would be forthcoming.

Pederson said Monday he hadn't spoken with Agholor since the incident, something else that surprised observers. Pederson and Agholor did speak Tuesday evening. Pederson said Wednesday that he didn't meet with Agholor in June because of the timing of the incident, that Agholor was headed out of town, with spring work over.

Barwin said he thought the coach handled the matter correctly.

"I think he let the people that needed to handle it, handle it. I was very happy for Nelson that it's all over with now," Barwin said.

Barwin said he wouldn't comment on the Bradham matter until it is resolved.

@LesBowen

Blog: philly.com/Eaglesblog