Giants vs. Eagles Daily Updates: DeVonta Smith thinks the Eagles pass game can help open up the run
4:55 PM: On Friday, Brett Toth was asked how he’s survived in the NFL, after entering as a rookie free agent signing of the Eagles in 2019.
He came out of Army, where the Black Knights ran a triple option offense. He recalled the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis where the Patriots quizzed him on various defensive fronts and looks. He candidly admitted that he didn’t know what they were. He learned how to pass block at the Senior Bowl, just weeks earlier.
On Sunday, Toth is in line to make his fourth career start and first at center, with Cam Jurgens out due to a knee injury. Toth subbed in for Jurgens during last Sunday’s win over the Vikings.
“Just always learning, being able to help guys any way you can, passing on the wisdom you gained through the vets and to the young guys once you’re finally a vet,” Toth said. “Acknowledging the fact of availability is the best ability. That’s why you learn all five (positions).”
Toth was critical of his performance against the Vikings. He said that he reviewed the tape, made sure he was seeing things correctly and focused on what technique changes he would have made.
With Jurgens out, communication will be a group effort, but the center is the person who is the “conductor of the band,” Toth said.
“Everyone’s job relies on you putting everyone in the right position to do their job,” Toth said.
It doesn’t help that the Giants have “generational players” along the defensive line, including nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, who Toth said will go down as one of the best of all-time when it’s all said and done.
“How great everyone believes he is online or in fandom, he’s even better,” Toth added.
The Giants are fresh on Toth’s mind after starting at left guard two weeks ago, but it’s completely different moving over one spot to the center position. Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland has “left no stone unturned” in helping prepare Toth, but there’s going to be unscouted looks.
“That’s where you rely on your training in terms of how to react to it, put everyone in a position to be successful,” Toth said. – Chris McPherson
