Eagles' Miles Sanders: Joe Flacco 'gave me headaches, made me cry'

Eagles running back Miles Sanders was giving rookie Kenny Gainwell some advice when the fifth-round pick arrived for workouts this week.

Sanders said he was telling Gainwell to learn from a player who could be influential. As an example, he told Gainwell that he is "starstruck" seeing quarterback Joe Flacco, the former University of Delaware quarterback and South Jersey native that the Eagles signed in March.

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"(Flacco) doesn't know that," Sanders said, adding with a laugh, "but I’m a little starstruck looking at Joe Flacco, and (Gainwell) was like, ‘I was starstruck, the same thing, with you.’

"I’m like, ‘That’s crazy. Thank you. I appreciate that.’ Stuff like that keeps me humble."

Sanders was in awe of Flacco as a teenager, even though Sanders grew up a Steelers fan in Pittsburgh, when Flacco was quarterback of the arch-rival Ravens.

Sanders was in high school when Flacco led the Ravens to the Super Bowl in 2012. Flacco was named MVP of the game and has thrown for 40,981 yards in his NFL career, which is now entering its 14th season.

"Growing up a Steelers fan, I definitely know Joe Flacco very well," Sanders said. "He even gave me headaches, made me cry a couple of times. ... But I’m a fan. That’s a Super Bowl quarterback, and I look forward to stuff like that."

In fact, Sanders said he was looking forward to many things with the Eagles, besides resuming his bromance with Flacco.

That includes the added depth at running back. In one sense, Sanders could have felt threatened when over the past month, the Eagles re-signed veteran Jordan Howard; drafted Gainwell; and signed Kerryon Johnson, a former second-round pick of the Lions.

Instead, Sanders welcomed it.

"Kenny, he’s going to bring something different," Sanders said. "I think everybody in the running back room brings something different, and it’s only going to make us better, and I love that. We've got a stacked room, too."

Sanders said he has already taken a liking to Gainwell, the fifth-round draft pick who at 5-8, 201 pounds is considered a possible third-down specialist.

"I love Kenny, actually," Sanders said. "He reminds me of me. He comes in, and he doesn’t really say too much. No rookie really says too much. But he’s doing the right approach, just keeping his head down, and wanting to learn, get better, paying attention, non-stop writing notes."

Sanders is also encouraged by the new coaching staff, which includes head coach Nick Sirianni, offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and running backs coach Jemal Singleton.

Singleton is replacing Duce Staley, who left for the same position in Detroit after he was passed over again for the head coaching job.

"I love, actually, the whole game plan," Sanders said. "It’s very similar to everything we did last year ... I love the whole offense the way it’s being taught to us. Everybody is learning the offense. Coaches, too. And that’s what’s so cool about this situation right now – everybody is literally learning the offense together.

"I love Coach Singleton. I’m getting to know him more, and be around him here. He’s not like Duce, but his energy is through the roof."

Steichen said the feeling is mutual.

"I'm excited about all those guys, that whole group," Steichen said. "We've seen their skill sets on film, but to see it in person and let them compete ... We're all about competition here. All those guys are going to get reps, and we're going to use them to the best of their ability week in and week out, and put them in position to make plays."

Sanders seemed to be excited about pretty much everything. That included his health. He missed four games last season after missing practically all of training camp and the first game of the season with a hamstring injury. A knee injury midway through the season sidelined him for two more games. He didn't play in the season finale.

Sanders still rushed for 867 yards in 12 games, surpassing his rookie season total of 818 yards.

"The main thing I’m really focused on is playing all 17 games now," Sanders said. "I don’t like missing games. And four games was way too many. ... That doesn’t sit right with me."

Sanders changed his offseason workout routine, stressing more conditioning. And he's looking forward to a new offense with Hurts at quarterback, along with wide receivers DeVonta Smith, the Eagles' first-round pick in this year's draft, and Jalen Reagor, the first-round pick last year.

There was one other thing Sanders is looking forward to: a 17th game. That extra game was added this season by the NFL after teams had played 16 games for the past 43 seasons.

"More games, more yards," Sanders said. "Let’s keep it that simple."

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.