Eagles coach hopes a gas can left outside a player’s locker will ignite a ‘Big Play’ vs. Rams

PHILADELPHIA – Eagles players keep a variety of items in and around their lockers, ranging from jerseys and reminders of their colleges to pictures drawn by their children. Outside cornerback Darius Slay’s locker was something not normally seen near a player’s stall inside the NovaCare Complex: A red gasoline tank. Slay’s vehicle hadn’t run out of gas, making the tank stand out even more. Instead, tt was a motivational tool for Slay, courtesy of defensive backs coach Christian Parker. A yellow Post-it note was attached to it with the message: “How much gas do you have left in the Big Play tank?” The note was signed with Parker’s initials.

“He always sends a little message to us in any kind of way,” Slay said.

The Eagles will need Slay to dip into the gas tank again Sunday afternoon when they take on the Los Angeles Rams in their divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Slay, hoping to extend the season by another game, is mindful of his career winding down. Back in July, when asked about how many more seasons he would play, he hinted at retirement.

“Not too many more,” Slay said at the time. “I can tell you that now. I’m always thankful for the years I’ve been playing here, but it will not be much longer.”

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On Friday, when Slay was asked about how much gas was left in the tank, he joked that he was near the bottom, referencing his 12 years in the league. His comments reinforced the possibility that this season or the next could be his last as a player.

“I have a good bit to get me from town to town,” Slay said. “We’re doing good. When that gas runs out, you will know. I will let you know that the gas ran out quick, but there’s still good gas left. Whenever that gas runs out, we’re not refilling it.”

Slay could return for one more season, but he indicated it depends on how he feels and the circumstances.

“We’re going to see,” Slay said. “I’m debating.”

Slay has performed well in the postseason, recording an interception in last Sunday’s wild-card win against the Green Bay Packers. According to Pro Football Focus, Slay allowed just one catch for nine yards in that game, with Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed making the lone reception. Slay faces another tough matchup Sunday, potentially lining up against Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. In their Week 12 meeting, Slay allowed three catches on four targets for 29 yards.

Not only is Slay seen Nacua, he also knows Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford well, having spent seven seasons together with the Detroit Lions. Slay shared what he thought would be an important for the Eagles to do to walk away with a win and advance to the NFC championship game.

“We have to make sure we get to him as a defense and sack him a lot,” Slay said. “We have to get his timing off and disrupt their routes because if we’re not disrupting anything, it’s going to be a good day for him.”