CLEVELAND — The message from the guys on offense after the Eagles’ latest preseason disaster was that it’s not just Nick Foles, it’s everybody.
Which has a measure of truth to it.
It was mainly Foles. But not all Foles.
“It doesn’t fall on one guy,” Zach Ertz said. “This team doesn’t fall on one guy. We were the epitome of that last year.
“We as a football team, as an offense, we have to pick it up. It’s not about Nick, it’s not about me. … This is a group of 11 guys that are elite when we’re at the top of our game together and right now, we’re just not there yet.”
You don’t want to get too carried away with a preseason loss, even an ugly 5-0 one against a Browns team that’s won four games since the start of 2015.
But the Eagles’ starting offense didn’t score a point this preseason, and while most of the skill guys haven’t been playing, you expect more than this from a Super Bowl unit.
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“We’re excited for Sept. 6, but at the same time, players have to execute,” Ertz said. “We didn’t do that tonight. We had four turnovers, five if you include the safety, plus an (unsuccessful) fourth down.
“That’s just unacceptable. We have too much talent on this team. It doesn’t matter who’s out there, this is the Philadelphia Eagles offense and we play better than that.”
The missing guys included running backs Jay Ajayi, Darren Sproles and Corey Clement, receivers Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and Mack Hollins and left tackle Jason Peters, as well as others trying to make the team, such as Markus Wheaton, Kamar Aiken and Donnel Pumphrey.
As well as Carson Wentz.
“First of all, I’m disappointed in the offense,” Pederson said. “I don’t want to single out one player, so don’t put this all on Nick. I’m disappointed in the offense. It’s obviously not what you want in the third preseason week.”
Preseason game or not, Pederson came down pretty hard on the offensive guys after the Eagles were shut out in a preseason game for the first time in at least 40 years.
“When you don’t score, (when) you played the way you played on offense, and me being an offensive guy, I’m not very jovial in there,” he said.
“I’m not patting guys on the back. I praised the defense. I think the defense played lights out and played like they should. The offense just didn’t do enough obviously, and they understand it.
“I wanted to make sure they heard it from me. We just move on. We fix it and move on, and the season begins in a couple weeks.”
There were a few positives on offense.
Shelton Gibson made a couple more catches. DeAndre Carter continues to flash. Wendell Smallwood had some very nice runs. Josh Adams makes good things happen whenever he gets on the field.
But for the most part, it was a disastrous performance by the 1’s.
The Eagles’ six drives with the first offense resulted in a failed fourth down followed by a safety, fumble, interception, fumble and interception.
Foles’ four drives against the Patriots went: punt, punt, punt, fumble.
The Eagles didn't score in the opener against the Steelers either with the first group on the field, although that was with Nate Sudfeld at quarterback.
Still … 0 for 2018.
“I’ll be critical and I’ll keep working day in and day out with these guys to improve and fix what’s going on,” Foles said. “We’re facing a lot of adversity in the preseason right now. We’re trying to figure out our DNA on offense, and I have all the confidence in the world in everyone.“
By the time the Falcons come to town on Sept. 6, the Eagles should be at full strength on offense, with the possible exception of Jeffery.
The Eagles are confident that what was witnessed Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium will have no bearing on what we see once the games count.
But that doesn’t make it any easier to take.
“We had the ball inside the 30 twice and didn’t get any points. It’s unacceptable as the Philadelphia Eagles offense,” Ertz said.
“We pride ourselves in being an elite offense and when we’re rolling we’re rolling, but when stuff hits the fan like it has the last two weeks, we look terrible. But we’ll get it right.
“Chip, it felt like every year we were 4-0 (they actually went 7-5). Last year, against the Dolphins, the starters played four drives and everyone was freaking out that we didn’t get enough preseason live reps.
“The thing that’s most recent is what people are going to take into account, but I’m not worried about it. We’re going to be fine. We’re going to be fine.”