Eagle's Sirianni, sick of bending, jaws with fans

PHILADELPHIA – Eagles coach Nick Siriani was seen yelling at the camera and pointing at a group of fans at the end of Sunday's 20-16 home win over the Cleveland Browns as boos rained down for parts of a game where the offense sputtered at times and the talent-rich Eagles now 1 -5 Struggled to separate the Browns.

Siriani, wearing an awkward smile and offering a wink, explained his interaction with the fans as “excited to win” and praised the crowd for enforcing a few false-start penalties by Cleveland.

But when asked about taunting the Eagles in their home stadium, Siriani admitted they could do without the negativity.

“We thrive in the crowd when they're cheering for us. That's what I'll say,” Siriani said. “We hear them when they boo. We don't like it. I don't think it's productive for anybody. But when they cheer for us and when we roll them, we like it.”

Siriani has been the subject of criticism since last season's collapse, when an Eagles team that started 10-1 fell to 1-6, leading to the firing of his offensive and defensive coordinators.

The on-field product has left something to be desired this season.

The offense has been a point of frustration because of the talent level — the group boasts one of the best offensive lines in football and features AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley at the skill positions — versus results to this point.

Since scoring 34 points in the opener against the Green Bay Packers, the Eagles have averaged 18 points in four games. Brown has only appeared in two games due to injury, however, and other top players such as Smith and tackle Lane Johnson have also missed time.

While not overwhelming, there were sections of the crowd who started chanting “Fire Nick” moments into the game.

And Sirianni was the most exhibitionist he's ever been on the sidelines this year. He jawed with multiple Browns defensive backs, including cornerback Greg Newsome II, and got animated with the referee on multiple occasions.

Before Sunday, he had toned down his behavior, knowing that going after the ref in particular could send the wrong message to his players. Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie noted of Siriani this offseason that “if he overdoes his own passion, it can be a little counterproductive,” adding that it's about finding the “sweet spot” between bringing that passion without overdoing it.

Syriani revealed on Sunday that his fiery demeanor has returned at the behest of some of his players.

“I was just kidding. And I got some feedback from the guys, feeling like, 'We need you back, Nick. We need your energy. We need your focus,'” he said. “I get that from a few players. When I manage and have fun, I think that breeds that for the rest of the football team. If I want guys to celebrate after big plays and be themselves, I probably should. Do it yourself, right?

“Now there's a time for it and a time for it not. I have to have the knowledge and discretion of when to do it and when not to do it.”

Quarterback Jalen Hurts said he was a player who encouraged Siriani to be himself.

“It's an assurance, we believe in who you are. We believe in where you are as a coach and we know we can build on you. It's about putting it together,” Hurts said. “I'm excited for him and his growth and continuing to see where he goes, and I think that will help our football team.”