'I was just kidding:' Nick Sirianni discusses wacko behavior at end of Browns win

Some of his players told Nick Siriani to just be himself.

Unfortunately, he was listening.

Siriani was caught on the Fox TV broadcast of the Eagles-Browns having an animated shouting match with fans at the rink in the final seconds of the Eagles' win on Sunday.

The video shows Syriani holding his hand to his ear and sarcastically indicating, “I can't hear you.”

Earlier in the game, fans were chanting for Syriani to be fired after the Eagles went scoreless in the first quarter of a seventh game, something they hadn't done in 30 years.

They won 20-16 over the 1-5 Browns, improving to 3-2 but falling back to just 4-7 in their last 11 games dating back to last year.

Sirianni declined to go into any detail about what prompted his postgame antics, but it's not the first time he's been overwhelmed in the final moments of a game. Usually, it happens on the street.

“I was just kidding,” Siriani said in an awkward press conference after the game, surrounded by his three children. “I was joking around and I got some feedback from the guys (during the bye week) to the effect of, 'We need you back, Nick. We need your strength. We need your focus.' I got it from some players.

“When I'm operating, having fun, I think that breeds on the rest of the football team. If I want the guys to celebrate and be themselves after the big play, then I should probably do that, right?

“There are times for that and times that are not for that. I have to have the knowledge and discretion of when to do it and when not to do it.”

He may be kidding, but this kind of behavior is unusual for NFL head coaches and it's not a good look for a guy who always preaches to his players.

Can you imagine John Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin, DiMeco Ryans, Andy Reid or Todd Bowles facing the fans and screaming in the stands after a game?

There are certain professional standards NFL coaches are expected to adhere to, and it's hard to imagine Jeff Lurie enjoying this kind of behavior from his head coach.

Siriani was also seen yapping with Browns corners Greg Newsom and Denzel Ward as they neared the Eagles' sideline, but it appeared to be good-natured.

Siriani said during the offseason he wanted to be more restrained on the sidelines during games, especially in his interactions with officials. And he has been for the most part.

not sunday

200 after that^m Playing in an Eagles uniform, Brandon Graham said he was the one player who told Sirianni to be himself, and as the final seconds clicked, he was by Sirianni and he was yelling in the stands.

“I just asked him to be,” BG said. “I want him to be the 2022 Knick, so we can get there. Because we want people to be themselves. At the end of the day, Coach is taking a bunch of heat, and I understand he's got a lot on him. We got her back, because Philly can be tough, I know all about that.

“I always used to say (his critics) eat what they say. And so I know that's probably what Nick is saying, and every chance he gets. … I don't know what he said but I know it had something to do with it.”

Jalen Hurts said he talked to Siriani during the bye week about being true to himself and not trying to be something he's not.

It's a fine line between showing emotion and being yourself and going overboard and acting professional.

“It's just a reassurance, 'We believe in who you are,'” Hurts said. “We believe in where you are as a coach and we know we can build with you. So it's about working together. And I think for him, I think with any leader, it's about having a vision and trusting that vision.

“He's done a really good job of being able to have conversations and honestly try to map things out and some things take time. But it's a group effort from everyone, and everyone has to dominate their box. Everyone has to respect their role, accept their role and give their best.

“I'm excited for him and his growth and continuing to see where he goes, and I think that will help our football team.”

Siriani must be doing something right as the Eagles have reached the playoffs in his three seasons as head coach, reached the Super Bowl two years ago and have a 37-19 record in 2021.^m– The best in the NFL. His .661 career winning percentage is 15^m-Highest in NFL history. And they are currently in a stretch where they face seven teams with a combined 14-27 record.

But everyone gets screwed at some point, and lashing out at fans isn't necessarily the best way to deal with it.

There's no easier way to lose fans than to pounce on one of the worst teams in the NFL after they just beat them.

“When we stop the crowd and they cheer for us, that's all I'll say,” Sirianni said. “When our crowd cheers for us, we thrive on them. You know, we hear their calls. We don't necessarily like it. I don't think that's productive for anyone.”

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