Eagles Nick Sirianni insulted by Tush Push ban talk

Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson laughed at the idea of banning the Tush Push, but head coach Nick Sirianni feels insulted.The Green Bay Packers, a team the Eagles beat during their Super Bowl run this season, submitted a proposal to ban the play on Monday.“I almost feel a little insulted because we work so hard at that play,” Sirianni told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday from the NFL Scouting Combine.“I can’t tell you how many times we practice the snap, we practice the play.”The Tush Push isn’t only vital for short-yardage situations, as Sirianni says “the complements that come off of it” open up Philadelphia’s offense as a whole and “can create explosive plays.”Because Philadelphia succeeds at the play much more than any other team that tries to replicate it, is that a reason to ban the play completely?This is what Sirianni feels most strongly about.“I watch every first-and-goal … sometimes that first and goal starts at the one and you see the team not be able to get in because they’re not able to do [the Tush Push],” Sirianni said.

“I think that it’s a skill that our team has because of the players that we have, the way the coaches coach it.”Sirianni also pointed out how the play doesn’t break any rules, since the ball carrier is being pushed and not pulled. He compared it to any typical run play, saying when “[Saquon Barkley is] in a pile on a run, the offensive line gets behind him and pushes him.”“When the defense is there, no one’s going to tell the defense to stop pushing,” he added.Sirianni addressed injury concerns regarding the Tush Push as well, saying that “the numbers on that play suggest” it doesn’t increase the risk to players’ safety.While much of the league thinks the play is unfair, Sirianni feels the same about the criticism.“The fact that it’s a successful play for the Eagles, people want to take that away — I think it’s a little unfair.”...