Doug Pederson said he had a conversation with linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill about his Cowboys choking comments and called them “unfortunate” Friday in his first meeting with the media since they became public.
Pederson didn't divulge the contents of his chat with Grugier-Hill, but it's safe to say he got his point across.
Grugier-Hill told NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Clark on Wednesday: “Look at Dallas’ history. They always choke. So we’ll go down there and make them choke.”
Not surprisingly, Grugier-Hill’s comments blew up in advance of the Eagles’ crucial game against the Cowboys Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Not what Pederson wants from his team.
Yeah, listen, first of all, the Philadelphia Eagles, myself, we have a ton of respect for the Cowboys. It has nothing to do with that. Ton of respect for coach (Jason) Garrett. He and I actually were in the league together at the same time. We played against each other when he was with Dallas and I was in Green Bay, so we go back a ways, and it’s unfortunate the comments were made. I talk to the team a lot (about how) we don’t need to post anything that can be used on another team’s website or bulletin board. It’s unfortunate that it happened.
Grugier-Hill hasn’t spoken to the media since he made those comments, although wide receiver Shelton Gibson walked through the locker room and over to Grugier-Hill’s locker Thursday with a Grugier-Hill No. 54 jersey on and a hoodie covering his face pretending to be Grugier-Hill.
NFL
The Cowboys have won four straight games after a 3-5 start to move into first place in the NFC East at 7-5. The Eagles have won their last two after a 4-6 start and will take over first place with a win in Dallas Sunday.
It’s an enormous game for both teams, and as much as Pederson realizes so-called bulletin-board material doesn’t really affect a game’s outcome, this isn’t the look he wants from his players.
He wants them to be classy, respectful and professional.
“Anymore, I don’t think much is bulletin board material as much as social media that’s posted and guys can see stuff instantly,” he said.
“Back in the day, articles were cut out and actually pinned on a bulletin board for teams to see. I remember in my early days in Green Bay. But now everything’s instant.
“Guys understand (what’s at stake). They know what type of game this is. It comes down to us vs. them and we have to just do our jobs and focus in on one play and play for 60 minutes.”
The Cowboys beat the Eagles last month at the Linc, an outcome that may have been different if Grugier-Hill hadn’t dropped an easy interception deep in Cowboys territory.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott responded to Grugier-Hill, saying, “Winners worry about winning and losers worry about winners.”
Which is also odd, considering Grugier-Hill won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last year and Prescott has never won a playoff game.
Whatever happens Sunday, an already intense rivalry has a little extra juice this week.
“As silly as the comment was, we’ve just got to forget it and move forward and not focus on it anymore,” Pederson said.
Although if the Cowboys do win Sunday, you know everybody in the Dallas locker room is going to say that they were motivated by Grugier-Hill’s remarks.
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