Matt Rourke/AP
PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles said he figured he had just throw an interception and that the play was over. He said he probably wasn’t the guy to answer whether what happened to him next was a classic dirty play.
“I thought the guy was down, so that’s why I wasn’t looking for anyone (to tackle). The next thing I know, I’m just obliterated, so I don’t know,” Foles said after the Eagles beat the Washington Redskins 37-34 Sunday.
Foles never saw it coming in the fourth quarter when Redskins nose tackle nose tackle Chris Baker (6-2, 325) knocked him off his feet and onto his back with a shoulder block to Foles’ midsection.
Foles was down. Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters immediately went after Baker. Players from both sides swarmed in the Redskins bench area until order was restored by the officials. Baker and Peters were ejected. Foles got up after being attended to on the field. The interception by cornerback Bashaud Breeland was overturned on video review. Foles threw a tie-breaking touchdown pass to finish the drive.
Baker acknowledged no guilt.
“I saw our guy have the interception and I went to do what we are taught to do and that’s to go get a block,” said Baker.
“I didn’t look to see if it was a quarterback or not. But all I saw was someone going to pursue to the ball, and I got my head in front and I led with my shoulder, which was a legal football hit. … and I get punched in my face on the sideline, and the next thing I know I was ejected for a block, I guess.”
Asked whether it was a dirty hit, Baker said, “No, the whistle had not been blown. … I really didn’t hit him hard. I just hit him with my shoulder. He happened to fall. He’s a quarterback, so I guess that was the reason for the ejection.”
Redskins Coach Jay Gruden said he did not see the hit.
“He (Baker) told me he hit the quarterback … If it was cheap and not within the rules, the he should have been kicked out. But I did not see it honestly,” said Gruden.
“We don’t ever want to put another player in harm’s way, especially a quarterback. I used to play it (the quarterback position). .. If it did happen, we’ll address it. And I’m sure the league will, too.”
Philadlephia’s Peters’ did pronounce judgment, in an instant. “He was cheap shotted,” said Peters. “ … So I guess I reacted and shouldn’t have did what I did. I was just trying to protect my quarterback. … I wasn’t really thinking. I saw him hit Nick, and I just reached.”
Foles (6-6, 243), who said he took the blow in the ribs, appreciated that his teammates rallied around him.
“I love those guys. I’m going to fight every time for them, and they’re going to fight for me,” he said. “I’m really, really proud of my teammates today.”
