President Obama referred to Carson Wentz during a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday, and the rookie quarterback's No. 11 jersey is selling better than any other player's jersey in the NFL. The "Wentz Wagon," as the President referred to it, is sweeping through Philadelphia after Wentz's dazzling debut for the Eagles.
Coach Doug Pederson's message to Wentz during the last few days has been to "be aware of just limiting the noise on the outside." Wentz didn't need to hear it from his coach.
"Honestly, it's crazy how much I can focus in on football and not let any of this get to me," Wentz said. "It's still just football. We played a game, we won, it's awesome, it's exciting. But it's on to the next. We're preparing to go 1-0 this week."
The next game is Monday against the Chicago Bears. Wentz will play on the road for the first time in his NFL career in front of a national audience. He will be the dominant story line. Pederson said Wentz has "handled it fine," arriving early to prepare with the other quarterbacks and focusing on football.
Wentz said he insulates himself from the outside world, getting information from his friends and family but avoiding newspapers, the web, television, or talk radio. He's in the quarterback meeting rooms during the 5 a.m. hour and at home relaxing after work.
The insulation started during the pre-draft process. Wentz ascended from little-known quarterback at North Dakota State to a top prospect, and he maintained a levelheaded approach almost by embracing blissful ignorance.
"You've just got to block out the noise," Wentz said. "The good, the bad, whatever that may be, and just focus on ball. ... It doesn't matter."
Pederson, who played 12 years in the NFL, said this is a situation in which he can help Wentz by protecting the 23-year-old and keeping him focused. Pederson said there are outside influences away from the facility that will pull at Wentz, and it's the coach's job to try to keep him level.
"If I can keep him in the building as long as I stay in the building, then we're going to be OK," Pederson said.
That hasn't been a problem. No. 2 quarterback Chase Daniel has Wentz on the rigorous daily schedule he learned from Drew Brees when Daniel was the backup in New Orleans and brought to Kansas City when he played with Alex Smith. They stay one day ahead of the rest of the team _ learning the Friday practice plan on Thursday.
"I look at Chase Daniel and what he did with Alex Smith and how he was sort of that backbone for Alex, which he is for Carson, and they are studying together," Pederson said. "And I think that's important because ... I've been in Chase's role before as a backup quarterback and I know what it means to be able to dive into the tape and have answers for the guy that's playing."
That preparation helped Wentz against the blitz last week. He completed all eight of his passes when the Cleveland Browns sent more than five rushers. But he also did it in front of a cordial home crowd. On Monday, Wentz will play against a hostile crowd at Soldier Field.
Wentz said the team will work on a silent snap count. He is not expected to play with tight end Zach Ertz, who is recovering from a rib injury. Wentz pledged confidence in third-year tight end Trey Burton, who missed last week's game but would see a bigger role if Ertz is out of the lineup.
He will need to understand the scheme of Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, a veteran coach who's putting a game plan together to try to stop Wentz this week.
"It looks now that Philadelphia is going to be very well-rewarded for the risk they took on draft day giving up a lot of stuff to get this guy because he looks like he's going to be a long-term hell of a quarterback," Fangio told Chicago reporters. "And then they got Christmas given to them when the Vikings had their (misfortune) and they were able to unload their overload at quarterback for a couple picks. So they took a chance, they did a hell of a job with it and I think they're going to be rewarded with it. I think the guy is very impressive. He has a big arm, can move, he's athletic and mobile. He's very poised, doesn't get flustered."
Of course, the most notable praise this week came from a fan with Chicago ties. It's not often that President Obama comments on a rookie quarterback. Wentz hasn't heard the end of it during the last two days.
"I thought it was kind of funny," Wentz said. "I know a lot of friends and family thought it was pretty crazy. It was cool and all, but I've got a lot to accomplish before we make anything big out of that."
