Being a Dallas Cowboys' fan I understand pressure, we as fans hold our team to certain standards and the Dallas Cowboys (being "America's Team") not winning a championship since 1996 is just not acceptable to our standards. After guaranteeing to be in the Super Bowl, in Dallas, this year Tony Romo and the Boys have added more pressure on themselves than they've already had coming into this year. But living in the city of Philadelphia I can say that the team with the most pressure on themselves coming into this season is the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Philadelphia Eagles' fan are the most passionate, most ruthless, but yet some of the most loyal fans you could ever have, every year they firmly believe that "this year is our year". For 10 years the Eagles have been one of football's elite teams, easily being the most dominate team in the NFC East during that time span posting a record of 39-25 in the division, making the playoffs 8 out of the last 10 years, with 5 NFC championship appearances and 1 Super Bowl appearance in 2004. But yet that is not enough!
Eagles fans demand more from their team, but starting last off-season the organization began to show that they would take away more to give the illusion that the team would actually meet the demands of the fans. Such as not paying 35 year old Safety Brian Dawkins. Believing Dawkins' skills had diminished the Eagles parted ways with the veteran for youth, a mistake the Eagles would soon regret as they didn't find a suitable replacement for the veteran. Dawkins however went on to have his best season as a pro recording 116 tackles (first time ever record 100+ tackles in a season), 11 passes defended and 2 interceptions. The Eagles defense struggled because of the move with their passing defense dropping from 3rd in the league to 17th and the team's total defense dropping from 3rd in the NFL to 12th.
The Eagles don't seem to have learned from past mistakes parting ways with veterans like CB Sheldon Brown, RB Brian Westbrook and probably the most important QB Donovan McNabb. McNabb being the most important because the Eagles traded McNabb to division rival Washington Redskins, one of the unwritten laws of the NFL ( DO NOT TRADE YOUR STAR WITHIN THE DIVISION). The Eagles by doing this are telling McNabb they are not afraid of him, but don't respect him as-well.
The Eagles key problem is their youth, with youth comes excitement but it also brings immaturity. WR DeSean Jackson emerges as the team's best player and even though he is arguably the most exciting player in the NFL he has entirely too many weaknesses in his game and on many occasions last season showed his immaturity. His Maturity problems also came up this off-season when he publicly ripped QB Donovan McNabb, after McNabb's departure from Philadelphia and also making questionable comments about Eagles management due to contract disputes. The Eagles have never won a Super Bowl in the Team's 76 year existence and if they plan to do it this year then they will need a big year from Jackson.
This is Jackson's team, the issue is that they go from a 1st ballot Hall of Famer under center to an unproven project in Kevin Kolb. No Team has been successful when a wide receiver can proclaim that "This is my team", that just can't be the case when this is a Quarterback's league. If you don't have a QB running the squad it's just not likely that you'll find success, just look at all the best teams in the NFL now; Colts(Peyton Manning), Patriots(Tom Brady), Saints(Drew Brees), Packers(Aaron Rodgers), Vikings(Brett Favre) and Cowboys(Tony Romo) etc. These are all teams that if you walk into their locker rooms there is no doubt in anyone's mind who the leaders are, the Eagles can't say the same and this is the pressure they've placed on themselves.
Andy Reid will surely be on the hot seat if the Kevin Kolb experiment doesn't work, Kolb, who wanted the opportunity to prove himself as a starter, will also have a short leash, if a new coach comes in, then he wont necessarily be labeled "The Guy". Jackson, who had an incredible season last year has to pick it up where he left off without a big arm QB to take advantage of his greatest asset, his speed. Which means less deep balls and more of going across the middle, something that is in question in DeSean's game. And last but not least the ownership will find themselves pressured to make a coaching change if this season isn't a success, the last finger was pointed at Donovan McNabb when the Eagles traded him, now there isn't anyone for Big Red to hide behind. All fingers will be pointed at him for every move that has been made this off-season. I know one thing is for sure, the Eagles fans have great expectations for this young team and will not tolerate another "better luck next year" ending.
My knowledge of football is severely limited, however my expectations as a Philly sports fan are indeed high or at least hopeful I'll say. my fear is that the Eagles will undergo a transition similar to that of the Sixers between Barkley and AI, and then the year or two post AI where we just seemed to struggle to find their way. I ave to say that I will be observing this season blind-folded and with my fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteI'm a die hard Raiders fan so for me, my expectations are just to get through the season respectably for my team. But living with an Eagles fan, I know what they expect, and they expect the E's to go hard or go home!! Loving the blog!!
ReplyDeleteThe eagles maybe the youngest team in the NFL but, they may have some of the best talent. With the question mark looming over our new starting Quarterback, the eagles have potential all-stars at almost every position. I'll agree that trading Donovan Mcnabb to a division rival wasn't the smartest move but the act of trading him was necessary. To play with mediocre players for 8 out of the past 10years making numerous playoff appearances, Multiple nfc championship appearances, and 1 superbowl appearance. With that success that solidified Donovan Mcnabb's as an elite Qb and Hall of Famer. Where does this help the team in the past 10years its bin to many almost moments and this is a city where almost isn't enough. Starting over with our new Qb Kevin Kolb he is an unknown but i have faith in him and this new youthful team.
ReplyDelete@Keya, I think your comparisons to the Sixers within those time spans are very accurate. It is very much like that in every way when you lose a leader and and you're spending so much time looking for another that you take a major hit.
ReplyDelete@Mai, you are also right the Eagles fan expect this team to go in and not come out until they are the last team standing.
@Bert, If the biggest question mark is at the quarterback position then the entire team has a question mark. Even with the mediocre Donovan McNabb Made it better. Kevin Kolb has big shoes to fill in a city that he doesn't have many chances to play badly. He Plays D. McNabb(2x), T.Romo(2x), E.Manning(2x), P.Manning, A.Rodgers, M.Ryan, M.Schaub, V.Young, and B. Favre. there would be no question that Donovan McNabb could play with these QB's but Kevin Kolb falls into a situation where he is forced to play well immediately because this town is not kind and won't wait for him to get it right.
Listen I liked McNabb, but it was time for him to go, he needed a new scene since Reid doesn't like to run the ball. But I hate when writers and the national media say Kolb has to deliver this year. Why does he have to be amazing this year? I would give this kid 2 years to prove if he is good or not. McNabb was a good QB, but not great, and year after year we have to see him throw groundballs all the time to the WR's, thats why he doesn't throw INT's. So everyone relax and give Kolb a break. The defense is the weakness on this Eagles team not the offense.
ReplyDeleteI agree, as much as I liked big 5, it was time for a change. i'm just not convinced that " corn on the Kolb" is a proven Leader. I'd prefer a proven vet to be my leader. Vick IS a leader, and winner at this level.
ReplyDeletebut, as a TRUE green fan I'll be Supporting whoever is taking snaps. as far as D, i'm a little worried!
keep up the good analysis, i'll be following
ok you guys got the problem wrong. #5 ABSOLUTELY DID NOT NEED TO GO....Andy did. You try naming another coach that constantly drafts players to play in a system COMPLETELY outside of what they did in college.....betchu can't think of anybody. The people Andy got to surround Donovann did not get the job done. Granted ground balls were thrown and some bad decisions made with the ball but the fact remains that he's thrown for over 2500 yards every season he started (3500 when he wasn't injured). but they do have the tools they need just not the implementation. you got little ass D Jackson trying to not get jammed on the line......ummmm....ALL college if he was on the field he was in motion. So that way the ball is hiked and he out without the possibility of getting jammed. Jeremy Maclin SHOULD NOT HAVE STARTED LAST YEAR...why? He beat his opponents with size. He could out muscle any college CB u put in front of him. Not to mention his speed and height....but the operative word of what i just said was COLLEGE. This the NFL....that boul needs to be in the weight room ALL off season. If he was and put on some muscle....i guarantee he'll be the next T.O. Lastly is the fact that the Eagles admins seem to be fine trading talent and leadership for a chance to prove a point. we've seen it over and over again....Trotter, Troy Vincent, Michael Lewis, Bobby Taylor, and of course Dawk. ALL players who brought leadership and structure to the team. Who brought heart. All of those are names that would instantly strike fear in the hears of the opposing teams. Who's gonna do that now? Macho Harris??? Doubt it...at least not anytime soon. In closing...the Andy gotta go for a coach that coaches....not one that runs his team through tyranny.
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