For the first time officially this season, the Eagles are on the road and they're heading to New Orleans to play the red-hot Saints on Sunday on a short week after a very tough Monday night loss and we've been down this path before.
The focus level is high, the energy is positive, and the Eagles have every intention of playing a great football game against the Saints. With that, a weekly Trip Around the Locker Room …
Jahan Dotson: 'I know I'm a very good wide receiver'
Wide receiver A.J. Brown hasn't practiced yet this week, casting doubt that he will play on Sunday after suffering a hamstring injury in practice one week ago. Jahan Dotson, acquired in a trade with Washington late in the preseason, is ready if the opportunity presents itself in New Orleans.
"I feel like it's a moment to prove to everyone else who I know I am," Dotson said. "I know I'm a very good wide receiver. I'm know I'm capable of making plays at this level as I've done before. This is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league and for me, I haven't had the production I had in my rookie year. I want to prove to everyone that I know who I am, so every chance I get, that's my mindset: Make plays. Help this team win.
"You can look at it in two ways. You can complain about it – You're not getting the ball, things aren't going your way – or you can be thankful. That's something I've been talking to my agent about recently, about having a different outlook and having different outcomes in life and being thankful for it all. I love this game and I'm thankful for being out there every day. Obviously, I want to make plays. I'm very competitive and that's where I am."
Dotson feels he is up to speed in the offense, although he acknowledges that's a work in progress every day, and that his time will come.
"I feel like this offense centers to my skill set a lot and that's why they brought me here. They know that and Kellen (Moore, offensive coordinator) has been putting me in advantageous situations to win one-on-one battles. It's just a matter of getting the opportunities and when they come, I'm going to take full advantage of them."
Zack Baun: A return to New Orleans is a moment
This means something. Zack Baun played in New Orleans for four seasons and, he says, he is appreciative of the chance to make it in the NFL there. But then free agency came and Baun signed with the Eagles and, well, now it's time to show the Saints a little something.
It's time to make plays.
"I'm excited, sure," he said. "Going back there with a big role in this defense, it means something to me. But it isn't like I'm taking any different approach here. I want to play great football every time I step on the field. This is no different that way."
Baun will have his wife, Ali, and son, Elian, in attendance and he will know what to expect from the potent New Orleans offense, one that scored on 15 straight possessions to open the season.
"They have a lot of talent, and their coordinator Klint Kubiak is putting them in great position to succeed," Baun said. "They're explosive. Alvin Kamara is one of the best running backs in the game. He can do it all. It doesn't surprise me the way they're playing. They are an offense that has the ability to beat you in a lot of ways."
Still, Baun is ready. He has enjoyed a productive two games for the Eagles at the linebacker position and now he is going to be asked to do a lot of things in a lot of spots on the field, because that is what the Saints make defenses do: You have to cover every spot on the field.
"It's a challenge and we look forward to that," he said. "We have some things to clean up. We can't afford to make mistakes against this team. They will make you pay."
Thomas Booker: Every rep I have matters to me
One of the Training Camp longshots to make the 53-man roster, Thomas Booker is gaining inroads in the defensive tackle room. He played nine snaps against Atlanta on Monday night and made three tackles and he plays with tenacity and purpose.
That is how he approaches every step on the field.
"I know that I'm going to only get so many reps, so I'm taking advantage of every one of them," he said. "My coaches and the guys in the room with me, in this locker room, they are the reason I'm able to have success. I haven't been here alone. It's a step-by-step process that I'm taking and I'm in the moment focused entirely on doing what I can to help the defense.
"I'm just trying to maximize my opportunities and play well within the scheme. But at the end of the day, it's all about winning and that's what we're all working toward."
As the Eagles gear up to play the high-powered Saints, Booker may see more chances. If that's the case, he's ready.
"They're a dynamic team and they have a great wide-zone scheme that builds off of their play-action game," he said. "The key is to be able to stop the run so we can turn this into more of a dropback (passing) game. Obviously, Alvin Kamara is a dynamic back and he's a lot to deal with. They are a formidable opponent, but we're up to the challenge."
Saquon Barkley: On to the next opponent and chance to shine
No chance is Saquon Barkley dwelling on the play late in Monday night's game when he had a pass in his hands and couldn't hold on. He has processed that moment and is on to what is directly in front of him. And that, folks, is what makes the great ones great.
"You can't live in the past with anything," he said. "I'm on point, studying for the Saints, and ready for a defense that has played really well in their two wins. We need to get off to a good start and complete drives and complete our assignments. That's the goal every week, every game."
Barkley is fourth in the NFL with 204 rushing yards (4.4 yards per carry) and he has added another 44 yards on six receptions. The big plays are there. The touches are there. The grinding runs through the middle of the line of scrimmage have been there.
And there is no looking back.
"That's the way it is in the league," he said. "I let my team down on Monday and that's how I feel and it's over and I can't change it. On to the next game. On to the next challenge. We have a big one on Sunday."
