One NFL analyst has a suggestion for the Philadelphia Eagles on how they can stop Ezekiel Elliott. It is not a good suggestion.
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger made an appearance on Philly’s 97.5 The Fanatic radio station Friday to preview the Eagles’ Sunday night showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, and he got talking about the success Elliott has had this season.
Baldinger insinuated that the Cowboys rookie, who leads the league with 117 rushing yards per game, might be getting a bit too big for his britches after his hot start. Baldinger then got a little carried away in outlining Philly’s blueprint for slowing Elliott down.
“This is the guy that we’ve got to hurt,” Baldinger said, via FOXSports.com. “This is the guy that we’ve got to take out of the game. There’s got to be 10 guys that want to hurt him every single play. In fact, we may even put a little bounty on Ezekiel Elliott.
“… You want to cut off the head to kill the body, that’s the guy you’ve got to get to.”
There’s nothing wrong with playing physical on Elliott, but deliberately trying to injure another player is a different situation entirely. Just ask the New Orleans Saints, who were heavily punished for operating a bounty system during the 2009 season.
Baldinger didn’t stop there.
“I’m sick of hearing everybody talk about how good the offensive line is, and how good this guy is,” he added. “This is the guy that makes them go. This is the guy we’ve got to take out.”
Again: Not the best look, especially in light of the NFL’s current concussion problem. Baldinger tried to defend himself on Twitter, saying his comments were “tongue in cheek.”
But others rightfully called out Baldinger for his tasteless comments.
Fortunately for everyone involved, we doubt the Eagles will take any stock in Baldinger’s comments.
Thumbnail photo via Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports Images
