Dave Uram
The long wait is almost over. Thank goodness.
After over five months of mostly brutal Phillies baseball, preceded by up-and-down 76ers and Flyers seasons, the team that Philadelphia cares about the most is about to embark on another season.
As every NFL team sits at 0-0, it’s not inappropriate to ask yourself whether this is the year. It may be unrealistic to think so, but given this franchise hasn’t won a Lombardi Trophy and is title-less since 1960, what’s the harm?
But, once you answer no to that question, the next one you should ask is do the Eagles need to make the playoffs for this season to be considered a success?
Will Carson Wentz showing improvement in a losing effort be enough?
The answer is 100 percent, unequivocally, no.
Simple: It’s playoffs or bust, and if they don’t make the postseason, the Birds should consider whether it’s wise to move forward with head coach Doug Pederson.
The Eagles made too many moves, potentially short-term and unquestionably long-term, to go into this year without that mindset.
They improved at wide receiver, defensive line and corner [even though the bar was low].
The offensive line is worrisome, and could be potentially damaging to the success of the offense. But, the starting five barely played together this preseason. After a game or two to gel, that unit, albeit lacking depth while also featuring an aging left tackle and a first-time starting left guard, should be sturdy. Just hold your breath that they can stay a healthy unit for a whole season.
The running backs can be better than last year if LeGarrette Blount can convert short yard situations, especially in the red zone, while being a reliable back who can average at least four yards a carry.
Zach Ertz should finally have his breakout year, after about two or three failed attempts, considering the weapons of Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith.
Linebacker features playmakers in Jordan Hicks and Mychal Kendricks [the guy did have a great preseason], and the safety tandem is arguably one of the best in football.
If the Eagles don’t make the playoffs at least as a wild card team, Jeffery Lurie should consider making changes at high level positions. If the Birds compete, but just miss the postseason by a game or two, the owner should approach the offseason with the same decisions to make.
After nearly a quarter century owning the Eagles with two division rivals winning three Super Bowls in that span, Lurie shouldn’t accept patience, and it appears he doesn’t considering the moves Howie Roseman and Joe Douglas made.
Philadelphia’s new dynamic duo built this team for the present and the future. It was, for the most part, a brilliant offseason and preseason of roster configuring.
Therefore, if this roster doesn’t pan out and the Eagles fall flat on their face again, it won’t be because of the team Roseman and Douglas put together, which is meant to compete now. It will be because Pederson’s play calling and decision making doesn’t make sense, like parts of last season, and his ability to utilize what he has best on game days won’t be up to snub.
I believe in this roster, minus its shortcomings and concerns. I’m more worried about the head coach, who arguably lost them a at least two to three games last year with the choices he made.
Pederson is a likable guy who you should want to succeed. He features the exact opposite qualities of Chip Kelly, who couldn’t be less likable by the end of his tenure.
Yet, likability isn’t good enough to stick around in this town when management puts together a decent roster. Results are necessary.
Dave Uram is a weekly contributor to Philly Influencer. You can follow him on Twitter (@MrUram) and email him at [email protected].