Philadelphia Eagles Core Coaching Principles Come to Life in Form of Shaq Leonard
PHILADELPHIA - Connection is the first bullet point in Nick Sirianni’s coaching philosophy and the prior relationship that the Philadelphia Eagles head coach had with Shaq Leonard in Indianapolis is what led the three-time All-Pro linebacker to choose the Eagles over division rival Dallas in a rare late-season free-agency frenzy.
Leonard was waived by the Colts on Nov. 21 after a stellar career in Indianapolis was derailed by a pair of back surgeries and a pricey contract.
"We formed a bond when we was in Indy so I just kinda went with that,” Leonard admitted at his new locker on Wednesday before his first walkthrough practice with the Eagles.”
How does an offensive coach (Sirianni was the Colts’ offensive coordinator before landing his current job) vibe so well with a defensive star?
You can check box No. 2 in Sirianni’s coaching template – competition.
“Just competing against each other day in and day out and then in team meeting rooms on Saturdays whenever [the coaches] had to stand up, offensive coordinators had to talk,” Leonard said. “We kinda joked around because he said "alright' every two words and we kinda built a bond from that and then just kinda kept with it from there."
There was little doubt the Eagles were getting Leonard in league circles as long as the veteran linebacker passed his medical checks after two back surgeries turned him from superstar defender to a player trying to regain his mojo with the Colts.
“I couldn't run for like five or six months so I had to get back to getting my feet back up under, making the right steps, make sure I don't false step,” Leonard said of his long road back. “Stuff like that so just more so getting back to muscle memory because I couldn't [play] football."
Leonard was certainly a solid contributor on what has been a surprising Colts team this season under Sirianni’s former right-hand man Shane Steichen. Indianapolis, however, wanted to go in a different direction, knowing that Leonard’s contract was a non-starter in 2024.
"Of course I was stunned but this is a business and I respect [the Colts] decision to move forward,” Leonard said. “I wish them nothing but the best.”
The football gods love irony and Leonard’s first game as a member of the 10-2 Eagles will be on Sunday night when Philadelphia visits the 9-3 Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, where Dallas has won 14 straight games.
"It is what it is. I just feel like playing against whoever,” said Leonard. “Not trying to make it too big or too small. Just try to take it one game at a time and each game the same exact approach no matter who I'm facing."
The Eagles visit the Cowboys on Sunday night.
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The Eagles waived Christian Elliss on Wednesday afternoon to create a roster spot for Leonard, who will mix in with Nick Morrow and Zach Cunningham down the stretch at linebacker for the Eagles.
Cunningham, who missed last Sunday’s loss to San Francisco with a hamstring injury, was estimated as a limited participant in Wednesday’s walkthrough.
Leonard’s first few days in Philadelphia have been a whirlwind but the opportunity for significant playing time should be there against the Cowboys.
"For one just meeting everyone and trying to learn the terminology of the defense and trying to study as much as I possibly can,” Leonard said when discussing his first 48 hours with the Eagles. “You know, you gotta learn the game plan. It's just been a little crazy but I'm grateful for it."
