Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Ian Book (2) hits a shovel pass during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Eagles bring in QB Ian Book for visit with Jalen Hurts (concussion) ailing

With the quarterback position suddenly an uncertainty, the Philadelphia Eagles brought QB Ian Book in for a visit on Christmas Day.

Book, 26, has some familiarity with the organization. He was waived by the Eagles in August 2023 as they finalized their 53-man roster.

Starter Jalen Hurts is in the concussion protocol, and backup Kenny Pickett suffered an injury to his ribs last Sunday in a loss to the Washington Commanders.

Second-year player Tanner McKee is the team’s third quarterback.

Book was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Saints. The former Notre Dame star has played in just one NFL game, starting for New Orleans on Dec. 27, 2021, in a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

He also has spent time with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.

The Eagles (12-3) are headed to the NFL playoffs and will host the Dallas Cowboys (7-8) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) throws against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter during the Rose Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Smallish Ian Book ready to write new chapter with Saints

Ian Book is used to being overlooked despite playing on the big stage at Notre Dame.

That will continue in the NFL after the diminutive Book was selected in the fourth round of Saturday’s NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.

Book stands just 6 feet tall, which is on the small slope of NFL signal callers. But the Saints had a small-size quarterback for the past 15 seasons in legendary Drew Brees, the sure Hall of Famer who retired after last season.

So naturally, another chapter about Book’s height was being written after he went to New Orleans with the 133rd overall pick.

“That’s just been the story my whole entire life,” Book told reporters of his height after being selected. “I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder. You know, I’m not getting any taller. And Drew Brees has been able to do it — there’s many other quarterbacks, you can go down the list, that have been able to do it.

“We’re different players, but we’re similar in stature. And (Brees) proved to everybody down there and in the world that he could do it. And I want to do the same thing, and I just feel like I fit in that system well. You know, those are big shoes to fill, there’s no doubt about it, but that’s an exciting challenge for me.”

Veterans Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill are slated to compete for the Saints’ starting gig this season. Former NFL starter Trevor Siemian also is on the roster.

Winston and Hill are slated to become free agents after this season so who knows how Book could fit in, say, 2022.

Book was a three-year starter for the Fighting Irish and passed for 8,948 yards, 72 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He also tacked on 17 rushing scores and compiled a 30-5 record as a starter.

The 72 scoring passes are second in Notre Dame history behind Brady Quinn, who tossed 95 from 2003-06.

And while Saints coach Sean Payton complimented Book in March, Brees also recently had kind remarks about Book’s potential.

“I think his skill set carries over,” Brees said, according to The Athletic. “He’s an athletic guy who can run and make plays with his legs. I think he’s got a bright future.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2019; Orlando, Florida, USA;  A detailed view of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet prior to the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4 Notre Dame is sluggish, edges Louisville

Fourth-ranked Notre Dame’s much-maligned defense allowed it to overcome some red-zone struggles on Saturday afternoon as it posted a 12-7 victory against Louisville in ACC play at South Bend, Ind.

Quarterback Ian Book scored the lone touchdown on a 13-yard scramble as the Irish (4-0, 3-0 ACC) held on against the Cardinals (1-4, 0-4).

Book passed for 107 yards and rushed for 47 yards. Kyren Williams rushed for 127 yards on 25 carries, including a 24-yard run late in the fourth quarter that allowed the Irish to run out the clock and secure the win.

A week after allowing 405 yards in a 42-26 win over Florida State, the Irish limited Louisville to just 234 total yards, and held Louisville’s Malik Cunningham to 134 passing yards. The Cardinals suffered their fourth straight loss.

Cunningham put Louisville up 7-6 on a 1-yard touchdowns pass to tight end Marshon Ford with 7:37 left in the third quarter, but Notre Dame answered with an eight-play, 66-yard touchdown drive, capped by Book’s 13-yard run to go back up 12-7.

Notre Dame failed to reach the end zone in three trips inside the red zone in the first half, scoring just six points on a pair of field goals. The Irish settled for a 32-yard Jonathan Doerer field goal after driving 61 yards on 12 plays to Louisville’s 14-yard line to open the game. A 30-yard field goal by Doerer later in the first quarter put the Irish up 6-0.

Late in the second quarter, Notre Dame came away empty on an 83-yard drive from its own 4 down to Louisville’s 13-yard line. An apparent third-down touchdown pass from Book to receiver Kevin
Austin was ruled out of bounds after review. Doerer then lined up for his third field goal attempt, but Notre Dame tried a fake and was unsuccessful as holder Jay Bramblett was two yards short on the fourth-and-nine rush attempt.

Louisville then drove 60 yards down to Notre Dame’s 34-yard line with four seconds left in the half, but a 52-yard field goal attempt from James Turner came up short, allowing Notre Dame to take a 6-0 lead into halftime.

–Field Level Media