Wentz downplays idea he'll have big say in Eagles draft
QB acknowledges he worked out with some prospects during offseason, but minimizes his role in Eagles decisions
CARSON WENTZ acknowledged the Eagles asked him to look at game film of wide receivers in this draft class, but Wentz downplayed his input into who might be selected, when the second-year quarterback met with reporters at NovaCare on Monday for the first time since the end of the season.
Howie Roseman said back in January that he wanted to "make sure (Wentz) is on board" with what the Eagles were going to do in the offseason, "probably more free agency than the draft, because it's hard for him to get caught up on the draft prospects."
At the end of the season, the team did ask for Wentz's input on several draft prospects; any wideout the Eagles potentially take in the first few rounds will be someone they hope will grow with Wentz and become an integral part of a Super Bowl contender in a few years.
While making promotional appearances in Houston during Super Bowl week, Wentz told reporters he liked being consulted on additions.
"I'm excited about that," he said then. "I think it ultimately shows that they trust me. I can't thank them enough for showing that trust in me."
Monday, Wentz said: "There's a lot of talented receivers that could help. I don't really know where it's going to go, and I don't have any input, either, so I'm just excited to see what we add, offensively or defensively."
Wentz worked out with some receiving prospects, because they were clients of his agents, Rep1 Sports, affiliated with the California facility where he was throwing.
"We'll see," Wentz said, when asked whether he expects the front office to confer with him before the draft about what he saw or didn't see in the guys he worked with. "A lot of those guys are just tied in with my agency, so when I was down there working out, getting some things done, those guys were available to go throw, they were right there, where I was working out, so that was the main reason why I was throwing with them."
Yes, but the fact that it was coincidence wouldn't keep you from forming an opinion about, say, USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, or Eastern Washington wideout Cooper Kupp, guys who are considered second- to third-round prospects.
Asked how many receivers he graded on film, Wentz said: "I don't know - a handful. I didn't watch too much in depth. I was honestly busy trying to evaluate my own game and our own system, more than watching those guys."
In response to another question, Wentz said his breakdowns weren't detailed scouting reports for the team; under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, he wasn't allowed to talk football with coaches or the scouting operation from the end of the season until now.
"We couldn't be in contact for the last couple months. I was more just doing it myself and just trying to see what guys are out there and all that. Nothing real specific," he said.
Wentz said there was "a lot of buzz, a lot of excitement" in the locker room Monday over free agency additions such as wide receiver Alshon Jeffery as the team reconvened.
Wentz said he's had dinner with Jeffery and found him to be "a quiet guy." He said they discussed what Jeffery can bring to the offense, and said he has watched some of Jeffery's tape, but they have not been able to throw together yet.
Another prominent topic Monday was Wentz's work this offseason with biomechanics expert Adam Dedeaux on passing fundamentals. Wentz threw 607 passes in his rookie season, completing an NFL rookie record 379, for 3,782 yards, and his form seemed to get a little ragged at times late in the year.
Here again, Wentz downplayed and deflected, seeming reluctant to talk specifics.
"I thought it was beneficial. I don't think it was anything real specific, but just overall, to help me fine-tune some things and just keep working at some things and making myself more efficient. I thought it was a productive visit down there," he said.
Wentz said the work was on "simple things, things the naked eye probably wouldn't notice. A lot of it had to do with footwork and stuff. But again, it was nothing real mass - overall, just trying to make everything more efficient and smoother."
Wentz said that when he reviewed his 2016 tape with mechanics in mind, "there was things here and there at times, but nothing really that was kind of big and evident, that stuck out. I think it was just little things here and there . . . footwork and stuff and just being confident with the timing of routes and concepts and everything, but nothing really jumped out at me at all."
Wentz said "consistency" was where he thought he could improve the most.
Asked about reports that he was dealing with elbow fatigue issues by the end of the season, Wentz issued a nondenial denial.
"The elbow never was (a problem). The usual, general soreness that happens, but nothing of concern ever came up. Arm felt great all season."
Wentz said he is determined that the team will improve.
"Last year, at the end of the day, we finished 7-9, and that's not good enough," he said. "That's never going to be good enough for me or for anybody in this building. I fully expect us to all make strides, and hopefully, be playing into January."
He said his 2017 goal is "making the playoffs, winning the division, and just seeing what happens" after that.
Last month during the NFL owners' meetings, Eagles coach Doug Pederson told reporters Wentz's biggest second-year challenge will be "from a leadership standpoint, as a quarterback, sort of the face of the franchise," now the acknowledged starter, instead of the rookie backup.
"Mentally, it's a whole different ballgame" this spring, Wentz said Monday. "It's not coming in and trying to learn a new playbook and be overwhelmed with that, as well as all the other things that come with being a rookie in the locker room. So, coming in and having that confidence, already knowing the playbook . . . just grow with these relationships with these receivers, these tight ends, really with everybody. I'm really, really excited about it."
Wentz said Pederson hasn't directly voiced his leadership directive yet, but it comes with the territory.
"As the quarterback of this team, you've got to kind of accept that role and run with it," he said. "I'm going to let it all happen organically and just still be myself. It'll all just kind of take care of itself."
A year ago at this time, Wentz was nearing the end of the tortuous draft process. He stood on the Roosevelt University Auditorium Theatre stage in Chicago holding an Eagles jersey aloft for the first time on April 28, 2016.
"I just remember being tired all the time," Wentz said. "It's an exhausting time. You're flying around everywhere, you're working out all the time. Just being tired, but also mentally - because you have no idea what's happening.
"I'll never forget that night, hearing my name called, knowing I was an Eagle, getting to spend it with my friends and family. That time, it still gives me chills talking about it, just realizing how much my life changed that night, and how fortunate I really am."
To another question, about Philadelphia, Wentz said: "I truly enjoy being here. I feel like it fits me, fits my personality. I just love this place."
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