Maybe it’s the USA World Cup wins, maybe it’s the uptick in people saying “Go Birds!” when I’m wearing Eagles gear, or maybe it’s just OTA propaganda, but I’m starting to get excited for the Eagles.
Not sure how to quantify it exactly, but it feels like there’s a lot of juice in the locker room and the fan base.
We’re going to look at the contributing factors that may be fueling this feeling.
Lane Johnson
He was a question mark going into this season. He’d be going into his 14th season of a Hall of Fame career. That career features two Super Bowl wins and two All-Pro seasons. The man has nothing left to prove and was contemplating retirement, but wants one more season. If Lane wants to stay, it means they’re building something he wants to be a part of this year.
This is also good for the team, considering they’re not great without him. Over those 13 years, the Eagles have a 110-57-1 record (.658% win percentage) and a paltry 18-27 record (.400% win percentage) without him.
So if that man wants to come back and experience another season and is excited about it, you should be excited too.
Offensive Line
The Eagles brought in Chris Kuper to replace Jeff Stoutland. In general, the system seems better. Listen, Jeff Stoutland was a godsend. Truly revolutionized the league by pulling blocks. Now you see everyone running it, notably the Rams.
That said, the league is constantly evolving. Just because you did something first and the best, doesn’t mean you can do it forever. That’s the beauty of Kuper: he brings a fresh perspective to the line. Not to mention, he played in the NFL for eight years. Players seem excited for the new lessons and schemes being taught.
Lane Johnson was quoted as saying:
“I think the new system he’s stressing is going to be more efficient for us… Our run-blocking angles will be more conducive.”
What a nice quote that perfectly sums up what I’m trying to prove.
Dallas Goedert
His re-signing was good. A lot of people expected him to cash in on his 11 TD season elsewhere in the league. Instead, he decided to come back. Listen, I won’t rehash what I said about Lane Johnson, but they should be replaying in your head. The other bonus is that Goedert gets a new role. He gets to be Eli Stowers’s mentor. Nothing keeps you in an NFL locker room as a veteran more than your ability to exist and teach when new players come in.
Let’s have players stick around and get paid even if their athleticism isn’t what it used to be. To summarize, the return of good players is good.
Tariq Woolen
People already rightfully fawn over the tandem of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. So what does Howie Roseman do? Brings in a Super Bowl-winning cornerback from the Seattle Seahawks, Tariq Woolen. Now, some older fans might have PTSD from the last time they brought in a corner from Seattle by the name of Byron Maxwell. I won’t try to hate on him too much, but if you’re unaware, let’s say his coverage was looser than the shirts he wore under his pads (for reference, see the picture).
But back to Woolen (who goes by Riq), he’s been a standout at OTAs. He also has the benefit that Maxwell did not have: not having to jump from CB2 to CB1. Having the best secondary in the league is an exciting prospect for fans and another reason for you to feel the juice.
Eagles Fans
They have that chip on their shoulder again. Sure, the Eagles won a Super Bowl two years ago. Hand up, last year wasn’t as tough to swallow, given said Super Bowl win. Doesn’t matter because a player who got traded talked trash and did some weird things, then left the facility. Analysts are disrespecting our QB when only we should be able to do that. Eagles fans are at our best when the team has something to prove.
None of that resting on our laurels mindset. That mindset, while fickle at the first downturn, is something that always sets Eagles’ fans apart. Still, that edge makes me excited for the next season and to see and be with fans in that stadium.
At the end of the day, this is when you get to have the most fun. There’s no reason to be miserable about the team unless you’re seeking it. While that appeals to some people, not me, not now.
The team still has the bones of what won them a Super Bowl two years prior.
The players seem to have bought into the team, which is an unquantifiable stat.
Guess I finally know why I’ve been excited, the players are excited.
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Kyle Lavin
Source link