Jalen Hurts recently found himself in the spotlight, facing an influx of questions about former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. During a media availability session, five of the first seven questions aimed at Hurts revolved around Martindale.
Last season, the Eagles experienced a rollercoaster ride, starting with an impressive 10-1 record before losing six of their final seven games. Their season concluded with a heartbreaking wild-card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Reflecting on this, Hurts has been active in seeking guidance from renowned defensive minds like Martindale and the Eagles' current defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio.
The Quest for Knowledge
Hurts went the extra mile by reaching out to Martindale to understand how New York game-planned against him. "I was just trying to pick his brain, see what he saw in us, trying to get some tips on some things," Hurts explained. "I think it was more so for me trying to continue to pour into my cup in terms of knowledge, and I've had a lot of respect for what he's done."
This move underscores Hurts' dedication to growing both as a leader and a quarterback. He is also engaging with Fangio to gain further insights into defensive strategies and techniques. By building these connections, Hurts is focused on applying the knowledge he has accumulated to improve his game.
Martindale's Respect and Influence
Hurts holds Martindale in high regard, not only for his expertise but also for his character. "He's a very respectable person, actually a great person, a great coach, and has a great mentality on how he goes about his business," Hurts stated.
The quarterback also joked about the competitiveness between the two, noting the value of their conversations. Exploring various defensive techniques and understanding the intentions behind defensive plays offers Hurts valuable insights. "Having those conversations with him and seeing what certain techniques defensive backs are playing and what his intentions are behind each play, what's he trying to take away, where's he vulnerable at," Hurts continued.
Building on Experience
With the lessons learned from last season's highs and lows, Hurts is keen on leveraging these experiences to elevate his performance. "All of that is an eventual tool for me in my development and understanding where the boys are so I can play better football," he emphasized.
Addressing the season's bumpy conclusion, Hurts remarked, "This team is one of those teams that's going to do that, especially with the things that we've been able to experience. It was a developing time, it was a time of development for us, and that's something we learned from."
As Hurts continues to seek out knowledge from defensive masterminds and applies it to his game, it’s clear that he’s committed to not just learning but excelling. For the Eagles, this relentless pursuit of improvement bodes well as they aim to turn the lessons of past hardships into future triumphs.