HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024
(On injury updates to players that have been limited in practice) “Yeah, they’re all fine.
Yeah, they’re good.”
(On what QB Mac Jones has to do to throw the ball down the field better) “Part of the
offense, part of playing the position, we have the ability to shoot the ball down the field,
obviously, with B.T. [WR Brian Thomas Jr.] and some of the guys. I think, one, it’s a mindset.
It’s a mindset that we’re going to stay aggressive, we’re going to be aggressive and we’re
going to take our shots. It’s got to be that touchdown-to-check-down mentality, meaning if
the shot is there, take it. Obviously, yeah, accuracy and putting the ball where it needs to
be, where you want to put the ball as a quarterback—that’s part of it too. But I don’t ever
want the quarterback to shy away or be hesitant when there are opportunities to put the
ball down the field if that makes sense. Now, the accuracy part, yeah, we can control that,
and we can help him with that. Obviously, we can work on that. Again, playing the position,
you’ve got control, so put the ball where you want the ball. That’s something we talk about
with all our quarterbacks.”
(On CB De’Antre Prince and how important it is for rookie players to get playing experience
moving into year two) “I think it’s going to be great for him. Regardless of the number of
snaps, hopefully, in the next couple of games, he gets quite a few, and it gives us an insight
into the type of player and to who Tre is. He works obviously hard at practice, and it’s an
opportunity to go play. Yeah, it gives the player a lot of confidence if he can go out and play,
play well and do some good things. For us too, it gives us, again, that insight to how can this
player help us, in Tre’s case, in the future, and where can we use him on defense. These
next few weeks, a lot of our young players, it’s just that—a great opportunity for them.”
(On if CB Montaric Brown is a good example of a player who made large strides from his
rookie season to year two) “Yeah, I think that’s a great example. A guy that’s worked hard,
was kind of thrust into action and has really embraced it. He’s another one that, I think,
elevated his game. But again, it just doesn’t happen. Buster [CB Montaric Brown] works at
it. He works at it hard in practice and he’s hard on himself. He’s coachable, and that’s
what’s made him a really good player for us. I think he just is going to continue to learn,
continue to grow, continue to get better. That’s a good sign for a young player.”
(On how CB Ronald Darby handled not starting) “I’m sure disappointed. As a player, you
want to play. Look, it’s tough but again, at the end of the day, you’re going to put guys on the
field. Really, we’ve had such a good combination of defensive backs. I think the corner
position, we’ve had five each week and it’s been a rotation with he and Buster. Sometimes
it’s, Buster’s played well, you play the guy that’s the hot hand. That’s what you end up
doing. I think for Darby, the competitor in you would want to be on the field, and that’s
good. That’s a good thing, that’s positive, that’s healthy. It just makes you better when you
get an opportunity to get back on the field and help your team.”
