Tag: Wanya Morris

Dominant defense, Jalen Hurts lifts Eagles to a 40-22 win over Chiefs in Super Bowl 59

Dominant defense, Jalen Hurts lifts Eagles to a 40-22 win over Chiefs in Super Bowl 59

In what can only be described as a beatdown, the Eagles exacted revenge on the Chiefs, winning Super Bowl LIX in dominant fashion, 40-22.

Vic Fangio’s No. 1 ranked defense held Kansas City to 275 yards of total offense and 3-11 on third downs, with Patrick Mahomes getting sacked six times on the night. Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts was 17 of 22 passing for 221 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a 119.7 passer rating.

Kansas City scored 16 fourth-quarter points, but it was too late as the Eagles jumped out to a 34-6 lead in the third quarter and bullied the Chiefs throughout the contest. In what can only be described as a team win, the Eagles won despite Saquon Barkley getting held to 57 yards on 25 carries.

Jalen Hurts led the Eagles with a Super Bowl record of 11 carries for 72 yards and one rushing touchdown.

With Barkley shut down, DeVonta Smith had four catches for 69 yards (17.3 avg) and one touchdown.  A.J. Brown had three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Look: Bradley Cooper narrates Eagles hype video for Super Bowl LIX matchup vs. Chiefs

The Philadelphia Eagles released this hype video narrated by actor Bradley Cooper ahead of Sunday’s #SuperBowl matchup vs. the Kansas City Chiefs

The countdown has begun, and the Eagles and Chiefs are a little over 28 hours away from kickoff at Caesars Superdome on Sunday night.

Bradley Cooper is one of the biggest Eagles fans, so it makes sense that the famed actor would contribute to the Super Bowl LIX hype video after doing the same two years ago. 

Cooper narrates the video that focuses on winning “coming down to this moment,” which is the biggest game of Jalen Hurts’s career.

Philadelphia earned its second Super Bowl appearance in three seasons after posting a franchise-record-tying 14-3 record and a postseason run that featured three straight victories at home, including a 55-23 win against Washington in the NFC Championship Game (most points scored in a conference championship game in NFL history).

For only the second time, two Black quarterbacks will face off on the NFL’s biggest stage. Hurts and Mahomes were the first two in Super Bowl 57. Since 2022, Jalen Hurts has been 42-12 (including the playoffs) as a starting quarterback, just behind Patrick Mahomes (48-10).

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

C.J. Gardner-Johnson was hilarious while mic’d up at Super Bowl LIX Opening Night

Philadelphia Eagles star safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was hilarious while mic’d up at Super Bowl LIX Opening Night

C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s departure is the mistake that Howie Roseman corrected. The boisterous defensive back will have the most pivotal role as we approach Super Bowl LIX, which is a little over 52 hours away.

Gardner-Johnson returned to Philadelphia after one year in Detroit. He re-energized the Eagles’ defense and stabilized Vic Fangio’s backend. The former Florida Gators defensive back is also a rapper and content creator in his off-time.

With Super Bowl opening night being the a ‘Movie’, it was only right that a mic’d up Gardner-Johnson got to direct the show.

Gardner-Johnson tied for the 3rd-most interceptions (career-high-tying 6) in the league, trailing only Kerby Joseph (9) and Xavier McKinney (8). According to PFF, he is 3rd among NFL safeties with nine forced incompletions, behind Brian Branch (12) and Ar’Darius Washington (10).

Sights and sounds from Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl LIX Opening Night

The Eagles and Chiefs are in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, with the host, Philadelphia, arriving on Sunday an hour before Kansas City. Philadelphia participated in a weightlifting session at the Saints facility before the festivities kicked off massively on Monday night with Super Bowl Opening Night fueled by Gatorade at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans as players and coaches make their first public appearance during Super Bowl week! With the Eagles taking the practice field on Wednesday, we’re looking at sights and sounds from opening night. ***

LOOK: Eagles arrive in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX

The Philadelphia Eagles arrive in New Orleans ahead of the Super Bowl LIX matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Caesars Superdome

The Eagles have arrived for Super Bowl LIX, with Nick Sirianni’s team landing about two hours after departing Philadelphia following a pep rally at Lincoln Financial Field.

The team will now hunker down before the festivities kick off on Monday night. Gatorade will fuel Super Bowl Opening Night at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where players and coaches will make their first public appearance during Super Bowl week!

You can be there as players and coaches make their first public appearance during Super Bowl week.

Opening Night replaces the traditional “media day” that the NFL hosts for hundreds of media members.

With Super Bowl week officially underway, here are some top photos from Philadelphia arriving in New Orleans.

***

Chiefs HC Andy Reid reveals early plans for the offensive line for Super Bowl LIX: ‘We’ll rotate’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reveals early plans for the offensive line for Super Bowl LIX: ‘We’ll rotate’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have improved in pass protection over the second half of the season and playoffs. Joe Thuney’s switch to left tackle from his All-Pro left guard position is an essential reason for the improvement.

The Chiefs signed veteran D.J. Humphries late in the season as insurance for the troubled left tackle role. Rookie Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris struggled while alternating starting roles. Humphries’ injury forced Thuney into the spot, and head coach Andy Reid said during his Thursday press conference that it appears to remain that way.

“Yeah, it’ll probably be the same,” said Reid. “Again, we’ll rotate them all in there, but I think it’ll probably end up being the same when it’s all said and done.”

Thuney was named to the 2024 First-Team All-Pro team for the second consecutive season and has three career Second-Team All-Pro selections. Morris has been inactive through the two playoff games, while Mike Caliendo has stepped up efficiently at left guard.

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy says second-year lineman has ‘done a good job’

During his comments to the media on Sunday, #Chiefs OC Matt Nagy told reporters about the progress made by second-year OL Wanya Morris.

The Kansas City Chiefs are entering their Week 17 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers with the wind at their backs, and need just one more win to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.

However, the Chiefs’ inability to keep quarterback Patrick Mahomes safe in the pocket looms large over Kansas City’s aspirations of completing a Super Bowl three-peat.

However, during comments to the media on Sunday, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy made it clear that one player, second-year left tackle Wanya Morris, was making progress toward earning his starting role back.

“He’s (Wanya Morris) done a good job with that,” Nagy said of Morris’ development. “It’s important that these guys – as they go through the ebb-and-flows of the season and game-by-game is (that) they stay locked in (and) they stay focused. I think most importantly, more than anything, is that they understand that we always are supporting them and we need to be coaching them and still be tough on them but also have that ‘one play away’ mentality and you saw that yesterday.

“Wanya’s done that this whole time and he came in and played well. He just needs to keep growing and he will – he’s young and I think we all just need to keep that in perspective. I like where he’s at right now and we’ve just got to continue to stay true to what he’s doing well and continue to teach him what he’s not doing great, and we can keep working at that.”

Stay tuned to see if Morris returns to the Chiefs’ starting lineup when Kansas City squares off against the Steelers on Christmas Day.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid addressed several injuries ahead of Week 16: ‘Guys were out there working’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed several injuries ahead of Week 16: ‘Guys were out there working’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have plenty of questions heading into Week 16 regarding injuries to key players. Andy Reid spoke with reporters on Thursday, delivering the final injury report, including two players declared out for Saturday.

“Alright, as far as the guys that didn’t practice today, it was Chamarri (Conner) and D.J. (Humphries), and then the rest of the guys were out there working. I know the questions are about Patrick (Mahomes),” said Reid. “He worked out this week, full, and will most likely end up playing. We’ll just see how things worked out today – rotated guys at the left tackle position, Joe Thuney being one of them, and then the young guys (Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia) so – and we’ll just finalize that as we get closer here, but they all got work in there.”

Reid also revealed that veteran wide receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown will likely play this week and make his season debut after a long injury recovery.

“Yeah, there’s a good chance on that,” said Reid. “He’s (Hollywood Brown) done a nice job. I mentioned earlier just about (how) it’s not – it wasn’t
his legs, so he’s been able to run and keep himself in running shape, but the rest of it where the surgery wasn’t at, he – it looked good, and (he) was doing fine, yeah.”

Brown and Mmahomes participated fully in practice throughout the week, which raised their chances of playing in the home regular-season finale.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid on decision to start Joe Thuney at left tackle: ‘I just felt comfortable’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on decision to start Joe Thuney at left tackle: ‘I just felt comfortable’ | @EdEastonJr

The starting left tackle position has been an issue for the Kansas City Chiefs all season as they pursue the top spot in the AFC. The topic took another turn in the Week 15 victory over the Cleveland Browns as a new starter took the spot following the injury to D.J. Humphries.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid moved All-Pro guard Joe Thuney over to left tackle on Sunday as he battled with the reigning defensive player of the year, Myles Garrett. Mike Caliendo filled in for Thuney at his typical guard spot, leaving Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia on the sidelines.

“I thought Joe (Thuney) – I asked him to play left tackle, and he hasn’t done that since college – got out there and really did a nice job against one of the best defensive ends in the game right now,” said Reid to reporters during his postgame press conference. “Then (Mike) Caliendo, what a great experience that is for him to get out there and see a full game. That’s going to help him down the road and us down the road, so I appreciate it. As far as any changes or any of that, we’ll just see going forward how things go on the offensive line.”

Thuney held up well against Garrett as the Chiefs could limit his pressures during the game to less than his usual production. Reid further explained his decision on Thunrey at left tackle, not his young linemen.

“Well, the injury on D.J. (Humphries), and then Joe (Thuney) had taken a couple of snaps there last week, and I just felt comfortable as a veteran player,” said Reid. “I scouted him as a tackle, knowing he could get out there and battle. He’s been an All-Pro for two other positions, so give him a chance at the tackle spot.”

The Chiefs return to the field on Saturday against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium with questions regarding their plans at left tackle, assuming Humphries is healthy enough to play.

Chiefs Andy Heck supports young offensive tackles through struggles: ‘Handling it like a pro’

Kansas City #Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck supports young offensive tackles through struggles: ‘Handling it like a pro’ | @EdEastonJr

During Thursday’s press conference, Kansas City Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck opened up about his young options at left tackle. He praised Wanya Morris’ performance in relief of D.J. Humphries during the fourth quarter of the team’s Week 14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

“Yeah, I thought he handled that whole situation like a pro. From the moment we talked to him about what our plans were and our intentions were, he approached it the right way. (He) went out, and as a young player, he’s continuing to work, as we all are, to get better. I thought he did that. And then when he was called on, I mean, you got to be ready. You know, things happen. He stepped in. I thought he did a good job.”

Heck also praised his other young left tackle, Kingsley Suamataia, who was inactive in Week 14.

“Also handling it like a pro, a young pro, but he’s working very hard every day, and I’m seeing some improvement out of him,” said Heck. “I really like both of our young tackles, their ability and how they’re working right now.”

Humphries is the accomplished veteran in the locker room, but it’s promising to see Heck with high praise for the embattled young left tackles this season.