Boston Scott Keeping Emotion in Check with Roster Spot all but Secured
PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles will cut their roster to 53 players on Saturday, but for the first time, and because of the global pandemic, they will be allowed to put 16 players on the practice squad, including as many as six veterans who would otherwise not have any eligibility left.
For the first time since he entered the league as a sixth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints two years ago, Boston Scott doesn’t have to sweat the grim reaper knocking on his hotel room door asking for his playbook.
Not that Scott is taking anything for granted, especially if a team releases a running back this weekend that the Eagles like. That would make things a bit more interesting.
Unlikely, however.
When Doug Pederson spoke to the media prior to Tuesday’s practice, he was asked to evaluate his running back group.
Of the 5-6, 203-pound Scott, the coach said: “Boston has been a bright spot. He picked up where he left off at the end of the season, and really what he had done last year for us and has been looking really good.”
So, as it stands, Scott has a spot on the final roster. He is, after all, the regular season's reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week, after earning the honor in Week 17.
It was against the New York Giants, in an NFC East-clinching championship win, that Scott scored three rushing touchdowns, gaining 54 tough yards on 19 carries while catching four passes for 84 yards.
Despite a roster virtually assured, Scott is trying not to get too excited about the moment.
“Having the opportunity to be in the system for a couple of years, definitely I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable,” he said following Tuesday’s practice. “Any opportunity to step out on that field, live out my dream, and do the things that I’ve always wanted to do is truly a blessing, man.
“So, the excitement is at an all-time high, but it’s controlled chaos. I definitely don’t want to get too hyped out and burned out on Opening Day. I’m just building up, building up.”
You would think that after being cut twice following training camps – two years ago with the Saints and last year with Philadelphia – Scott would need to be scraped off the ceiling, he would have jumped so high with joy.
Not even close.
“I think it’s important to just do what I’ve been doing, take it one step at a time, one play at a time, and not letting the moment be too big, not letting the moment be too small, but just being staying present, being thankful and appreciative that I’m there and now I have to make something of it,” he said. “I’ll just be focused on staying in the present.”
Sometime this weekend, though, some of Scott’s summer teammates will be gone, victims of a numbers game or simply not quite good enough, yet.
He understands the anxiety they are going through right now, and he certainly can relate to what comes next.
Scott stands ready to offer any and all advice based on his trials and tribulations in the game, which included having to walk on to Louisiana Tech.
“Don’t set your value based on whether you make a team or not,” he said. “Focus on the opportunities you do get from that point on, because your mindset from that point on can definitely determine what direction you go in after that.
“You can look at it as nobody believes in me, maybe I’m not cut out for this, or you can continue to work and hope that an opportunity comes.”
Scott’s opportunity came and he ran with it. Literally ran with it.
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