Nolan Smith heard what Jeffery Simmons said about Jalen Hurts, you can bet on that. But the Eagles linebacker isn’t about to get caught up in a pre-game war of words. With Sunday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans looming, Smith completely shut down any idea of escalating the trash talk, giving a serious shout-out to Titans quarterback Cam Ward instead.
No Time for Trash Talk
Simmons, the Titans’ defensive beast, stirred the pot big time when he declared Tennessee needed to keep Hurts from running wild and “make him be a quarterback.” It was a bold jab, and everyone expected a retort. But when Smith was asked about Ward, he directly referenced Simmons’ comment before taking a completely different approach, like a true pro. “I ain’t gonna do what they did,” Smith declared. “Cam Ward is a great quarterback. … We’ve got to bring our best foot forward every game.” He knows Ward’s talent, and he’s not letting personal jabs cloud the real mission.
“Not a Big Tearing People Down Type”
Smith isn’t just playing nice for the cameras either. He laid out exactly why he doesn’t go for personal criticism. “Everybody got phones, everybody got social media,” he said. “I’m not a big tearing people down type of a person, man. You never know what somebody is going through personally in life.” That’s real talk, and it acknowledged the perceived slight from Simmons without adding any more fuel to the fire. His message was clear: you can’t just write off Ward because the Titans’ offense stumbled in Week 1. Smith’s response proved he’s focused on the game, not the headlines.
Ward’s Mobility: The Real Threat
And Ward’s game, despite the Week 1 struggle, is definitely something to worry about. Against the New York Jets, Ward completed 19 of 32 passes for 140 yards and one touchdown, getting sacked three times in a losing effort. Those numbers might not scream superstar, but his arm talent and mobility are absolutely still a massive concern for Vic Fangio’s defense. Remember how much the Eagles struggled to contain Jayden Daniels on Washington’s final two possessions? Ward brings that same kind of challenge, able to escape pressure and extend plays outside the pocket when chaos breaks loose. Philadelphia’s top priority this Sunday will be figuring out how to generate pressure on Ward without opening up those tempting running lanes he loves to exploit.
So, while Nolan Smith might have taken the high road in the press conference, his job on Sunday is pure football. It’s on him and the Eagles defense to make sure Cam Ward can’t turn the conversation with a highlight reel performance. This Sunday is all about stopping that mobility cold.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply