Eagles beat reporter fires back at J.J. Watt after indirect criticism

USA Today

26-07-2025

J.J. Watt didn't mention Eliot Shorr-Parks by name, but that didn't stop the Eagles reporter from responding
Never has information been more readily available. It has become common that one can be advised of breaking news on their cellular device and be informed of every event before it airs on television. Find that hard to believe? Ask yourself when was the last time some Philadelphia Eagles news broke, and you didn't receive 35 notifications within the span of about ten to 15 minutes.
Take our guy Eliot Shorr-Parks, for instance. Looking to create his lane over the past few years, he's taken the time to compile Jalen Hurts' passing stats during every Birds training camp practice. While die-hard fans and media members love the added insight and information, a future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee doesn't seem to be impressed.
Eliot Shorr-Parks answers some indirect J.J. Watt criticism.
It shouldn't surprise anyone that, at this time of the year, Eagles fans are trying to uncover every inch of information about their favorite football team, especially if said info relates to Jalen Hurts. The feedback on ESP's training camp stats has, at times, divided opinions about their value, but trust and believe that everyone takes a few moments to take a peek.
Former NFL legend turned CBS NFL game analyst J.J. Watt recently took to his X account. He seems to have issues with tracking training camp stats and questions their value.
As you can see, Eliot Shorr-Parks wasn't mentioned in that take. That, however, didn't stop 94 WIP-FM's Eagles beat reporter from responding. As they say down south, 'A dog that is bitten, always barks'.
"Here's the thing. This is what always happens with the training camp stats. People go, 'Well, you need more context.' Yes, I agree. The stats are not the end all, be all. Much like you can't just look at a box score of a game and get the full story of what happened. If a quarterback on a play goes one for one for three yards, but it's fourth and two, then that is an awesome play. But if you told me a quarterback just went one for one for three yards, that doesn't mean as much."
That's a direct quote from Shorr-Parks. He was a guest on Thursday's edition of the WIP Afternoon Show. He continued his thought:
'So, when I say that Jalen Hurts is completing 93% of his passes this offseason and over the last two practices, I agree that doesn't tell the whole story, and I agree that I don't have as good of a read on what the players are trying to accomplish in practices as the players do. But, that's true for a lot of things. When I watch an NFL game or when Pro Football Focus watches an NFL game, they don't know what defense is being called, but they still grade safeties, and they still make judgments. I agree that I don't have the full scope of training camp for the training camp stats."
Watch the full clip below.
Watt received support for his statement. ESP will receive support for his reply. Here's the verdict. Both guys are right. Neither of them is wrong.
It's all about information. Shorr-Parks' stats provide us with more information and something to discuss. We could say the same about Pro Football Focus, Next Gen Stats, NFL power rankings, and mock drafts.
Here's where another opinion is offered. If these types of things irritate you beyond comfortable levels, that's the bigger issue. This is supposed to be fun. All we're doing is discussing sports and Eagles football. For those interested, here's more information on ESP's offerings and a final word on all the hullabaloo.
"What I do know is, I have more information than people that don't keep stats. You can tell me that the stats maybe don't perfectly depict what's happening, but when I tell you Jalen Hurts has completed 93% of his passes, or went 305 passes last year with the interception, that is a better description of what's happening in practice than me coming on here and going, 'Jalen has been great.' That's the thing I don't get about the training camp stats and why it works people up so much. It's just more information.'
There are times when we can all agree and disagree with Shorr-Parks, but we'll give him the 'thumbs up' for that theory. Keep doing what you are doing, sir!