NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
With their win against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles proved that it takes more than just what happens on the field to become champs. It takes everyone in the organization. But can another team equal their success? Yes, any team that wins can stake a claim to that, but can they do it like the Eagles did?
Case in point: Joe Burrow stated that he wants the Cincinnati Bengals to retain all their top free agents. In his words, he said, “The Eagles did it.” That right there is proof that while the Eagles are winning on the field, players and other GMs are watching the blueprint for how they are getting things done off the field.
In another example, there was a case where an NFL analyst stated that the Dallas Cowboys are an offseason away from duplicating the Eagles. Now, that’s a bit far-fetched, but I can understand his points.
He said all they need is to grab a LB, a RB, and secure offensive line help. Yeah, easier said than done. But here is where the truth hits. Mekhi Becton was free for any team to grab after his failure with the New York Jets. But no one wanted him. Zack Baun was on the New Orleans Saints’ special teams, he was for the taking as well. And as far as Saquan Barkley goes, well, no team was willing to pay top dollar for a RB. No one but the Eagles. And we see where that got them.
But it still goes a bit deeper than that. The Eagles not only won because of the players they signed in free agency, traded for, or even drafted, but they also have a culture, and that starts with their owner, GM, and coaches.
The Bengals were once regarded as a team on the rise, but lost their way. Their early-season struggles constantly caught up to them. That’s a culture and coaching issue there. Despite what many feel about Nick Sirianni, he has changed the culture in Philly. The same goes for Howie Roseman. He sees things in players that other GMs don’t or refuse to see.
Most saw a special-teams player, while Vic Fangio saw a player who had untapped potential. Players did not want to play for the old-school defensive shot caller. Roseman offered the job, and the Eagles bought into his scheme and became one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Kellen Moore was regarded as a passing offensive coordinator, but with Barkey in tow, he changed his entire scheme. The Philadelphia Eagles have egos in the locker room, but they were put to the side for the greater good of the team. Look around, while players were holding out for large contracts that would be higher than the person who signed a week ago, the Eagles locked up their players before any of that could get out of hand. No contract holdouts on this team. It’s in the culture.
While players are looking at their respective teams and wondering how they can become more like the Philadelphia Eagles, they can’t. They don’t have the necessary pieces in place. Players want to win, it’s bigger than the stats.
