GREATNESS is out there. Can you see it?
Calling me optimistic about the upcoming season, would be to grossly understate the issue. In fact, when the subject of the Eagles comes up, I’m generally overtaken by feelings of extreme calm and pleasantness. Until yesterday, I couldn’t understand why that was. Then the Dallas Cowboys cut a relatively expendable WR, and it became as clear as day to me.
The days of Eagles football circa 2001, are back.
Think back to 2001. Franchise QB, key players inked to long term deals, no distractions in the locker room, comfortable coaching staff. The result was a four year, 48 – 16 run, that included four straight division wins, four appearances in the NFC Championship game, and one Super Bowl appearance. True, wins are better than appearances, but you have to get there to win OR lose.
It’s true, we were also 11 – 5 in 2000, but that was off of a last place schedule, following a 5 – 11 season. By 2001, each of those seasons was accomplished vs a 1st place schedule. We were legit MONSTERS.
By contrast, back then it seemed, if our division rivals counted their testicles five times, they’d never get the same number twice. They just couldn’t do anything right. Funny thing. If you look around the NFC East right now, you’ll see shades of that going on, all over again.
You have one team that can’t give away talent fast enough. Another team that can’t or won’t make adjustments to it’s approach to pretty much anything regarding offense, defense, or team culture. The third of our rivals, despite being the most valued sports franchise on Earth, doesn’t seem to understand how money works.
It’s true! Meanwhile, this year’s Eagles roster is consistently regarded as in the top five, in terms of talent. Team culture is as highly regarded around here, as talent. Our financial house is so in order, that we were able to use it as a weapon, which has since, severely handicapped our most competitive rival, in terms of distraction. (Thank God, that Howie Roseman is on OUR side!)
The calm pleasantness that I feel, isn’t because I expect a great 2019. It’s because I’ve seen this before, and I know how this all plays out. We’re not just set up for a great season of Eagles football. We’re set up for a great era of Eagles football.
There will be losses. There will be injuries. There will be controversies. There will be things we cannot see coming. However, there will always be the team, the fans, and the dream. There will always be us.
Greatness is out there. Can you see it?
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