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Former Washington State Cougars left tackle Andre Dillard was drafted in the first round to be an eventual replacement for entrenched starter Jason Peters, and it appears he’s going to get his first shot at doing so this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys.
Peters injured his knee last weekend against the Minnesota Vikings, which thrust Dillard into the lineup for 47 snaps. Peters is officially “week to week,” but all signs point to this being a week where Peters isn’t able to suit up.
Dillard’s performance was a little up and down, but it seems that most of the not great plays happened early, and that he settled in nicely as the game wore on.
“He had some good plays. He had some bad plays, quite honestly,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “He’s going against a great defensive end. (Everson) Griffen is a tremendous D-end and I have a lot of respect for him and his game, and there were times where Andre looked really good and then there were times when he got a little off balance.
“We have to do some technique work with him still some more. Just a young player in that atmosphere, but I thought overall, he did some really good things.”
Pederson continued:
“I think about what Big V (Halapoulivaati Vaitai) did in his first start (in 2016). It wasn’t perfect,” he said. “And I think about what Andre did last week in Minneapolis and it wasn’t perfect. He’ll learn from it, get better. Tremendous athlete ... smart. Got a lot of confidence in Andre and the guys around him.
“He’s not on an island, obviously. He’ll get a lot of help from the guys, starting with (center) Jason Kelce, and we go from there.”
How might his teammates help him?
“Stay out of his way,” said right tackle Lane Johnson, “because everybody’s going to be in his ear, trying to tell him ... all I can tell him, man, is it’s just like me, you’ve got to get off the ball and try to control the things you can control. Low hips. And a lot of that will solve a lot of problems.
“Aside from that, man, just enjoy it, because it goes by fast. Next thing you know, you’ll be (expletive) seven years in and ...”
His voice trailed off.
Hopefully a week of practice as the starter will help Dillard perform with more consistency in what will be an intently watched position — the game against the Cowboys is on Sunday Night Football (5:20 p.m. PT).
Dillard Links
5 matchups to watch as Eagles visit Cowboys in Week 7 | NBC Sports Philadelphia
Andre Dillard vs. Robert Quinn
NFL Week 7: The Battered Eagles and Cowboys Try to Batter Each Other - The Ringer
Both teams have issues at receiver and cornerback, but Philly’s biggest problem is injuries to their longtime stalwart left tackle. If he ends up missing the game, Jason Peters will likely be replaced by rookie left tackle Andre Dillard, who would make his first start.
Eagles film review: Encouraging signs from Andre Dillard vs. Vikings | NBC Sports Philadelphia
He had his ups and downs, but Andre Dillard's performance against the Vikings was pretty encouraging. By Dave Zangaro
Andre Dillard is on the verge of his first NFL start - Sports - Burlington County Times - Westampton, NJ
Veteran left tackle Jason Peters' status as 'week to week'
Cougar Football Links
No sunshine and cupcakes: After filming trio of top-20 teams, HBO will give authentic look at struggling Washington State | The Spokesman-Review
Few people residing in Pullman have benefited from Washington State’s three-game losing streak, the sudden departure of a high-profile defensive coordinator or the dramatic twists that have emerged from both events.
‘Air Gordo’ is back in Martin Stadium – The Daily Evergreen
The leader in passing yards, passing attempts and passing completions is a transfer student, goes to WSU, and has a student-given nickname. And it’s not Gardner Minshew. From redshirting his sophomore season to leading the nation in passing yards, redshirt senior quarterback Anthony Gordon is setting records. The success and fame have not gotten to...
A look around the Pac-12: Week eight quarterback ranking
3. ANTHONY GORDON
Cougars come home to take on Buffs – The Daily Evergreen
WSU football will return to Pullman for the homecoming battle against the University of Colorado on Saturday for the first home game since Sept. 21. The Cougars (3-3, 0-3 Pac-12) are coming off a loss against ASU, where they competed until the last whistle, coming up short 38-34 in Tempe, Arizona. After being blown out...
Gardner Minshew Links
Why 2019 is the NFL's year of the quarterback carousel
In Jacksonville, retro-looking rookie Gardner Minshew has emerged and is the most ready-made NFL cult hero since Rob Gronkowski smashed his way onto the scene.
Jaguars need more receiving options for Minshew - Sports - Daytona Beach News-Journal Online - Daytona Beach, FL
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars have to find more options for rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew. Chris Conley? Dede Westbrook? Maybe rookie tight end Josh Oliver? New Orleans clamped down on burgeoning receiver DJ Chark in its 13-6 victory at Jacksonville on Sunday, and the Jaguars failed to adjust to the Saints' two-man scheme. The Saints bracketed Chark, who entered the game as the AFC's leading receiver, and played man-to-man coverage everywhere else. They kept
The Year of the Backup QB has created some unexpected, major decisions for NFL teams - The Washington Post
Foles makes 20 times as much as Minshew, and he is obviously not 20 times as valuable. But the calculation isn’t that simple. Even marginal differences at quarterback have enormous repercussions on a team’s chance to win. The way Minshew plays the remainder of the season may settle the question for Jacksonville, but it will be a fascinating debate.
Rank's 11 Week 7 sleepers: Roll with Minshew - NFL.com
Despite a rough outing, don't be shy to start Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew against a struggling Cincinnati Bengals defense this week. Adam Rank provides 11 fantasy sleepers for Week 7.
NFL Quarterback Rankings: Gardner Minshew rockets into top 20 and Deshaun Watson among the elite after week six
17. Gardner Minshew (Jacksonville Jaguars) - up 15
Jaguars vs. Bengals: Gardner Minshew expects new wrinkles each week - Sports - The Florida Times-Union - Jacksonville, FL
Gardner Minshew II knows the learning curve to be an NFL quarterback will be tough more weeks than not.
Zac Taylor on Gardner Minshew: ’The Impressive Thing Is He Wasn’t Picked to Be the Starter'
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor things highly of Jaguars rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew
Everything Else
Washington State Set to Break Ground on Baseball Project: BTO - Washington State University Athletics
WSU will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday at 1 p.m.
BTO Project - Washington State University Athletics
Renderings of the project.
WSU Rowing heads to Spokane – The Daily Evergreen
WSU women’s rowing will take on Gonzaga University at 9 a.m. on Saturday on the Spokane River. This race is a head race. The crews will start in staggered intervals, in which they race both the clock and each other in a time trial. The race will cover a 5,000-meter stretch of the river. Last...
Tennis travels to Stanford for tournament – The Daily Evergreen
The Cougars put behind a successful weekend and will head to Northern California this weekend. The team will be participating in the Northwest ITA Regionals on Friday at the Taube Family Tennis Center, in Stanford, California. The ITA Regionals finalists — regional doubles and singles champions — qualify for the season-ending Oracle ITA National Fall...
Cougars Travel to ITA Northwest Regionals - Washington State University Athletics
Cougars send four players to tournament.
WSU Rowing Set For The Head of The Spokane - Washington State University Athletics
The Cougars Host the Idaho Vandals - Washington State University Athletics
The Cougars are back in Gibb Pool hosting the Vandals