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Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has taken a strong stance in defending the "tush push," a controversial quarterback sneak technique, as the NFL continues to deliberate on its future. Speaking at the recent Owners Meetings in South Florida, Lurie addressed the two primary criticisms of the play, player safety concerns and aesthetic objections, and dismantled both arguments with precision.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott raised the issue of player safety, claiming the play "could" lead to injuries. However, Lurie countered this claim, pointing out the lack of evidence linking the tush push to any player injuries. He argued that rules should not be created based on hypothetical risks and emphasized that football inherently carries potential dangers.
"If there was any injury concern, I'd be concerned," Lurie told reporters, even adding that the tush push is likely safer than a traditional quarterback sneak due to the protective formation around the quarterback.
The second argument, centered on the play's aesthetics, also came under scrutiny. Critics like Falcons CEO Rich McKay have dismissed the play as "unattractive" or unrepresentative of football. Lurie rejected this notion, likening the criticism to the initial resistance to the forward when it was introduced to the sport. "Aestheticism is very subjective," Lurie said. "What looks right? Does a screen look better than an in-route or an out-route? For me, it's not a very relative critique."
Opening up the playbook
Beyond addressing the criticisms, Lurie highlighted the strategy and skill that have made the Eagles so effective with the tush push. He credited quarterback Jalen Hurts' exceptional strength, he can squat over 600 pounds, and the team's All-Pro-caliber offensive line as key factors in their success. The Eagles have also invested significant time and resources into perfecting the play under the guidance of offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
Lurie further noted that professional football has always been a game of adjustments. He pointed to the Eagles' past reliance on the run- option (RPO) during their Super Bowl run, which saw its usage decrease as defenses adapted. "One of the great things about professional football is that defenses adjust to offenses and offenses adjust to defenses every year," he said. "Let the chess match play out."
For now, the debate over the tush push remains unresolved, as the vote to potentially ban the play was tabled until May. But with Lurie's vocal defense and the Eagles' mastery of the technique, the conversation has become as much about innovation and strategy as it is about safety or aesthetics. Whether the play remains legal or is banned in the future, its impact on the league and the game's evolution is undeniable.