The New Normal
Posted: February 14th, 2018 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 108 Comments »
Doug Pederson had a blast as he and his team celebrated winning the Super Bowl. There were lots of smiles, hugs and good feelings all around. He also made sure to send a message. “This is the new normal.”
Pederson was referring to playing football in February…winning Super Bowls.
It would be fair for a fan of a rival team to say “Slow your roll there, Douglas. You guys just won the Super Bowl, but the new norm? That’s a pretty bold.”
Why would Pederson say such a thing? Won’t that just fire up rivals and put pressure on his players? Probably. I still think he had a specific reason for his comments. I think he was sending a message to his players.
You didn’t win the Super Bowl as some kind of fluke. You didn’t go 9-7 and just get hot at the right time of the year. This wasn’t about lucky matchups. The Eagles were a great team all year long. They earned that Super Bowl by kicking the asses of the guys across from them. This wasn’t about destiny or heart or anything like that. The Eagles are champs because they were the best team and that’s something they can do again next year and after that as well.
There are no guarantees the Eagles will be great in 2018, but the first step is establishing the right mentality. Good coaches understand that psychology is critical with a team that has already won a title. Those players aren’t as driven as a team that hasn’t won. You have to keep the standard high because, in a sense, they are chasing themselves. The rest of the league will be gunning for the Eagles. The Eagles will be pursuing excellence.
One of the best ways to do that is to have them understand that they just did something special and that they should expect to do it again.
That does put pressure on the players, but this team will have most of the starters back from a 13-3 Super Bowl winner. There should be pressure on them. They need to embrace it and let it bring out the best in them.
Pederson was brilliant this year when it came to motivating his players and getting the best out of them. He’s already started on the 2018 team.
*****
I wrote a piece for PE.com on the Super Bowl win and what a special team this was. I think you’ll enjoy it.
This team has kept a smile on my face going back to September. The last six months have given me a lifetime of great football memories.
_
Just rewatched the sound fx version. Amazed at how poised and confident the offense in particular was. Yes they were moving the ball all game but they were so calm and confident. Doug was so aggressive and intense. Telling Foles on final TD drive “nick I’m not fucking around here” haha. Then Nick asks “what’s your thought process” and Doug says intensely “were scoring a TD.” So intense.
Also you could see Doug was frustrated with defense. As we all were. Defense seemed bewildered on sidelines. Not sure what was happening to them. On the very last series, Schwartz says he’s gonna be aggressive to get a stop or the ball. I love that he at least seemed confident and aggressive at the end of the game. Really impressed with the DL coach. Undline seemed overwhelmed and lost when on camera.
https://youtu.be/Hpv3jqmYRjk
So excited to see what these guys can do together over the next decade!
Hey DJH!
Somebody would have to verify from game video. But I think you are describing the point where Schwartz put DE Brandon Graham inside at DT next to Cox with DE’s Long and Barnett outside – 3 pass rushers on the D line – to hype up the pressure on Brady.
And it worked! Graham got the sack/forced fumble and Barnett got the fumble recovery! Game, set, match!
Collingsworth understandingly received a lot of flack for his constant whining on two of our TD drives, but one thing he was on top of was comparing Graham rushing from the inside with what the Giants did with Umenyiora in the 2007 Super Bowl. He also pointed out that the Eagles had success a few other times with Graham rushing from inside, but rarely used him there.
What I have been wondering is why Schwartz didn’t use Graham more often there. My hunch is he was hoping more out of Jernigan who did very little after signing his extension. I realize Jernigan was sick leading up to the Super Bowl, but he wasn’t doing much before that. I’m beginning to believe signing Jernigan was a mistake.
Jerningan half assing it down the stretch was really vexing, especially post-contract extension. But Howie wrote a VERY easy to flush deal. If Jernigan doesn’t get his stuff together in 2018, he’s gone.
https://overthecap.com/player/timmy-jernigan/2987/
He’s really gotta sustain a high level of play the whole season. He totally dropped off. I heard somewhere that when he got sick, he lost a ton of weight and didn’t even look the same. I’ll try to find it.
If that’s the case he deserves the benefit of doubt.
Wasn’t he injured? Did Carson half ass it?
Carson was IR’d with torn knee ligaments. Timmy Jernigan wasn’t on the injury report from week 9 until he was sick going into the Super Bowl.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1860755/timmy-jernigan
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/injury-report.html
Jernigan was sick leading up to the Super Bowl, but he wasn’t doing much before that. I’m beginning to believe signing Jernigan was a mistake.
Jernigan was playing with a significant nagging injury the second half of the season (this was widely reported and he was on the injury report almost every week). That’s going to affect his performance. But he was still stout at the point of attack and effective eating up double teams.
I find it vexing when people accuse players of dogging it without evidence.
Sorry you find my observation vexing because you don’t happen to agree with my opinion, but Jernigan wasn’t the only player playing hurt. Add that to the fact that Jernigan gave a similar impression with the Ravens gives cause for concern.
I might add that earlier in the year when compared to Benny Logan it was noted that Jernigan was a much better pass rusher than Logan. Only being stout against the run is not what we traded for.
The bottom line is I acknowledged Jernigan’s illness and injuries in the past and hope he returns to early season form. However, it would be naive to believe injuries were the only reason Jernigan’s performance has suffered if you take his reputation in Baltimore into consideration.
You’re still accusing the guy of not playing hard without evidence.
I can on the other hand point to evidence that he was still playing hard even if it wasn’t showing up on the stat sheet. You don’t wreck a double team like this if you’re dogging it:
https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/953101372706172928
I made no such accusation, but stated it should be a concern.
I saw Baldy’s analysis before and what it shows me is a guy with a lot of talent, but it should be more evident when playing next to Cox.
If Jernigan returns to the form he showed earlier, then it will become obvious that injuries slowed him down.
He was not on the injury report after week 9.
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/injury-report.html
injury.
I don’t have numbers or %s to back this up, but their Nascar-like DL grouping was used a lot in obvious passing situations. Long-Cox-Graham-Barnett.
One of the most interesting things coming out of the game was Daniel Jeremiah, saying that when he talked to people in the front office they were sure we would score 40+ points before the game, they were that confident about what we could do to the Patriots defense. Which is pretty remarkable considering Nick Files was starting.
Apparently the entire organisation had huge amounts of swagger pre game and were near certain that we would win, and I’m sure that rubbed off on the players.
Dumb question but what is the sound fx version? How do I watch this?
It’s a special that keeps airing in NFL Network. Its an hour long special . Here is a link with all the clips.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/0ap3000000915402/Sound-FX-Eagles-overwhelmed-with-joy-after-winning-first-ever-Super-Bowl
thanks I have NFL Network app on my apple tv, I will look for this.
I’m not surprised the defense looked lost on the sidelines, they looked lost on the field most of the game too.
Like Clement at 18:17 selling the Philly Special lol…
All I could think of when I saw Brady drop the ball was:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b770db98f2bdddc873a229afe0b72353dc4530501d26ed8af992fb832c5fb056.jpg
I like the professional bust awkward conversation between Doug and Beli before the game. In a cartoon version, they would both have thought bubbles reading something like, “I want to kill you and drink your blood.”
The PE article is great, Tommy!
Taylor Hart back in the house! I always liked him, seems like a real plus hard worker with potential at OT.
Not surprising because the only reason he didn’t stay around was because he was ineligible for the practice squad and wasn’t developed enough to make the 53 man roster. However, it’s obvious the Eagles see real potential in Hart as an OT.
Seems like a guy willing to work, you can always use those guys as camp bodies.
Yes but his ceiling very well may be higher than camp body, I think it can be high quality ol depth. I hate the idea of capping progress for a player who is still progressing.
He’s now 26, so that would be a lot to ask for. I’m not sure how he sees his way onto the 53 man roster, but I might defer to D3/s opinion on that.
If he continues to improve I can certainly see him taking the place of a Will Beatty on the roster. Granted, expected ot in draft will be in the mix too.
You have a hard time talking me into somebody being better than Will Beatty!
Never played a bad snap for the Eagles…
I mean he didn’t make an ass out of himself last year and I really thought he would. Depending on what they do w/ the draft and Peters, there’s a non zero chance he could make it as T4 as a Tobin level player (w/0 the exp).
For Valentines’ Day Howie got a Hart on
…the roster.
What a great Super Bowl photo of Dougie right there.
Standing on the victory field, taking it all in, with a sky full of midnight green and white confetti floating above him… It’s a solitary picture too, even though we know there must have been nearly 60,000 people all around him.
A special moment in time was captured there.
There is a very fine line I need to walk between passionately wanting additional titles in rapid fire succession to slide this team into all-time great territory vs. not being an ingrate over what we’ve just received.
The 2008 Phillies World Series win was amazing, but subsequent declines each season via WS choke to the Yakees, NLCS choke to the Giants, NLDS choke to the Cardinals, and the eventually bottoming out into a garbage team by the 2012-13 was really painful to watch.
Although I trust the Eagles to not draw arbritrary lines in the sand with the roster and claim ‘we’re done” to the detriment of continued success.
I feel we have a 3 year window now while Wentz is still on his rookie deal (even after his extension next off season the next 2 years will be ‘cheap’). The OL can stay as a group except Peters, our secondary should stick together and get better. DL should be a strong group lead by Cox, and we will have Ertz/Alshon to lead our receiving core. After that we will probably need a rebuild and cap reset.
I think Howie built this roster for 2018 and 2019 to truly contend. The team and coaching was so good we got there a year early. We should have expectations moving forward, we should be able to get back to the nfc championship game 2 more times over the next 3 years if the front office and coaching staff do their jobs. Do we get more Superbowl wins? I think that’s harder to expect. But this should be a really good team for a while.
Graham isn’t going to play for $7M again this year. His contract demands will surely have an effect on the roster.
According to who?
According to Graham.
http://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/brandon-graham-talks-candidly-about-his-contract
That article, which I read, falls short of the statement Dave made.
Did you listen to the Skype interview with BG? If it comes down to money or Philly…it’s money. If that clear pronouncement is ignored by HR, Dave is most likely right on the call.
I did not. So you’re telling me we should jump to conclusions? Assume a man under contract with a team that features a cap wiz/salary master with a proven track record of locking up players, including said man, will sit out the season that is upcoming, and that we know this February 15th?
No he doesn’t have to throw a hissy fit, but if he simply states in any given interview that he feels like he’s being disrespected and he’s only got a few years left, and he’ll play the year out and move on, “winning the week” will be the 2nd feature behind “Whazzup With Da Eagles?”
So we are putting words in his mouth, assuming the future, and that once Howie tends to the cap etc for this next season that he will do nothing to address BG for the future? To me that’s just ridiculous.
No, I am just being a slightly cynical fan who is waiting for a raincloud to form over my head. You are right that Graham was answering a question about the end of his current contract, but the Zangaro article sounded like Graham both deserves and expects to get the last year of this current contract torn up. I know that HR will not want to get into a protracted media negotiation with Graham, but he’s got serious decisions ahead, and rewarding Graham later rather than sooner may be expedient for the Eagles, but could be inciteful for Graham.
Fair enough. I appreciate your candor. I’m not a cynical fan (especially after this past season). And I feel like I’m well justified in saying that the media loves to drum up this bs all the time. If Graham misses games or is extended, I’ll pay attention. Otherwise, I think everyone is wasting energy.
Try to ignore or___ as he is self-admittedly uninformed. He also likes to stir the pot.
My reasoning was that Graham wanted a new contract last year and missed some offseason workouts. He was then given another $1.5M in incentives in August in an attempt to appease him.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/philadelphia-eagles-brandon-graham-rework-contract-sack-incentives-performance-escalators-20170810.html
He now wants more. It seems like a logical conclusion that he will not play for the $7M again this season.
Self admittedly uninformed?
I consider you to be relativistic to the same extent that I am judgmental, but I think uninformed isn’t exactly your deal.
“I don’t care about number of wide open receivers (especially on plays they didn’t catch the ball), yards, receptions, anything but Ws.
I think I’m just more of a bottom line guy. We won. And I personally lack the curiosity of figuring out why there were seemingly faults or difficulties along the way (especially against such a worthy opponent).”
http://igglesblitz.com/2018/02/bottoms-up-2/
“Personally, I have two very strong ethics I’ve developed over the past 10 or so years obsessing over this team:
– Never, ever, under any circumstances, pay a lick of attention to anything said in a press conference. Ever.
No, not even _____.
NEVER.
They’re mandatory and server a purpose other than “the speaker decided to disclose this and has no concern of not showing his cards etc…””
http://igglesblitz.com/2018/01/for-real/
Ah, haha, no, that doesn’t justify what you said.
I listened to the Skype. BG was asked about after next season. Dave however made a comment in regards to this season, and you are siding with Dave. What gives? Graham did NOT say that he won’t play this upcoming season or at the current contract. But Dave is saying otherwise. I don’t get it.
Graham himself, yesterday.
He told you personally? Or on the link blindchow posted below? Or somewhere else?
The way he played his first couple years, he still owes the Eagles a refund! He’s great now, but was a season away from being a bust!
Huh?
He tore his ACL in week 14 of his rookie year and missed 13 games of his 2nd season.
By your own estimation, I guess Carson Wentz owes the Eagles money too and should be considered a bust if he misses games next season.
Not even worth my time to explain.
FYI; that knee was weakened by a cheap shot by Tyson Clabo. Clabo is such a piece of shit and should go fuck himself with a hand grenade with the pin pulled.
http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20101022/NEWS/310229924
I give BG a lot of credit, he is a monster in the weight room and hasn’t missed a game since.
Ha, I think that balance was settled when he and they agreed to his current deal after his rookie deal expired.
“we will have Ertz/Alshon to lead our receiving core.“
Agholor ?!!
Might not be able to afford him after this year.
This Eagles team was different, I’m so used to them ripping your heart out with some gutwrenching loss at least 2-3 times a year (a la the Cowboy’s game last year).
It seems like I’ve spent my life cheering for an Eagles team who would have found a way for Gronk to catch the Hail Mary. I really, really like this new normal.
I’ve coordinated with Tommy to send him the SI Eagles package (Eagles book, Eagles NFL football, jacket, SI subscription). A couple of you have offered to contribute to me toward that gift. In lieu of that, if you want/can please just donate to Tommy (see upper right Donate button). I told Tommy this is from all of us.
Coordinating your contributions to me isn’t worth the effort and this way all your contributions will help support Tommy’s writing. It’s like a gift match.
Well done, sir!
Very cool, RobNE. I’m off to the donate button.
I think Carson’s injury is going to help him, and by extension, the team stay hungry.
I like that Vegas still doesn’t have the Eagles as favorites and that everybody in the national media is questioning whether they can repeat.
Gives Pederson plenty of ammo to play the “still nobody believes in us” and “they think it was a fluke/you got lucky” cards.
While i don’t mind the narrative if it helps the team, there is a pretty obvious reason why the Eagles have worse odds than the Patriots… the NFC is stacked with teams, while the AFC has the Pats, Steelers and Jags and their only quality teams. Vikings, Greenbay, Philadelphia, Saints, Panthers, Falcons, Rams and Seahawks could all represent the NFC if they have good years. You cannot say the same about the AFC.
Yeah, I get it (though I think the degree to which the NFC is stacked and the AFC is deficient is somewhat overstated – we will see some teams that aren’t expected to contend next year overperform, and others that are considered contenders going into the year fall flat, as we do every season). But I don’t think Doug has to explain any of that to the players.
I think Pederson’s message to the team is absolutely the correct one.
Do not rest on your laurels. Do not take short cuts. Do not believe the hype. Do not lose focus on the prize. Do not pump your chest and crow about how good you are. Be ready to work twice as hard to do it all again.
This coming season will be very difficult – personnel and coaches have and will continue to change. Wentz’s injury recovery is uncertain. Teams will be preparing their best against you every week. The under dog formula loses its impact. The schedule gets tougher. Traveling to London along with many MNF, SNF and TNF outings will be big challenges.
I think they can do it and it will be fascinating to watch and cheer them on.
Jeremy Maclin is a candidate to be cut. He doesn’t strike me as a guy who would sign for a couple million to go for a chip but I can dream. He’d fit well after we cut Torrey!
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000916055/article/tyrod-taylor-demarco-murray-among-afc-cut-candidates
Kempski mentioned taking a shot with Latimer (who I liked in that draft class) because he’s got a role as a gunner on special teams and might grow with Groh.
Yeah he’s intriguing if he’s cheap though we have a lot of young WRs…
Mack Hollins > Cody Latimer
Latimer’s first 2 years in the league coincided with Peyton’s final 2 years. I remember reading that he couldn’t get on the field because he didn’t know the playbook.
Mack Hollins > Cody Latimer > Torrey Smith ?
Because that’s what I’m looking at… Torrey (not Hollins) and looking to add a cheap veteran with upside. Now… if you think Latimer isn’t cheap, then that’s a different discussion. My interest declines rapidly as the price increases.
I think Torrey is a huge upgrade over Latimer at WR.
He is not much of a kick returner as he returned 8 kicks this year for a long of 36 yards.
Unless the team sees him as a great gunner on punt teams, I have a hard time seeing him being signed.
BTW, the only reason I know anything about Latimer is because I took fliers on him in my FF team for 3 years. I read up on him a lot before releasing him every season in frustration.
I thought he was going to be a stud coming out of college.
He’s a P-Rob type contract Candidate.
With the Eagles willing to bet on early round picks that busted out or got too old for their contracts, there are a number of guys that will fit that bill.
This offseason is fascinating to me. It’s more of how the salary cap will come in to play than anything else.
Latimer may get a few million. He’s right on the borderline. PFF has him 6th grade wise among the UFA Wrs but it’s not the greatest list.
Yeah… It’s not like he’s the 6th best WR in the NFL. I could see where he’ll get one or two teams that will give him a 2-3 year 1, 1, 1 deal (like Torey Smith’s). And one or two teams offer him a 1 year prove it deal. It will be interesting how it will play out.
Loved Latimer in the draft as well. I would love to bring in competition for Mack since I don’t want to just hand him the job.
No thanks. He’s already in his decline and will cost more than we’d like for what the production we could get.
Win a SB and now Maclin is a candidate? In what universe does that make sense?
Mayock’s 2018 NFL Draft position rankings (Top 5)
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000916367/article/mike-mayocks-2018-nfl-draft-position-rankings?campaign=tw-cf-sf182235371-sf182235371&sf182235371=1&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral
Is it already the time of the year where I get to mercilessly mock the countless times Mayock has been laughably wrong?
Do we get to roast you for all of your mistakes in life as well?
The day I proclaim that Johnny Manziel is the next Steve Young, you got it!
See, Sean..? I thought you were cool with Mike Mayock.
You had to go and bring up the Manziel stuff again…. 🙁
Not sure if it’s a bad safety crop this year or what but when I watched Ronnie Harrison he reminded me of a bigger + faster Rodney McLeod.
Fitzpatrick and James are special and should make a bunch of pro bowls. Harrison is the physical freak with questionable talent between the ears (which at a position like S, nah). Haven’t watched a ton of the rest of the class but it seems like it should produce half a dozen solid starters outside the top 2.
Yea I thought so but we have no shot at either guys. I was questioning myself when Harrison just didn’t seem to know what was going on. He kinda looked lost in coverage and he wasn’t the best tackler. I think he’s overrated but what do I know.
Hey Tommy – how are you with science?
The winner of a local “Adult Science Fair” gets a year unlimited PBR!
Link: http://www.phillyvoice.com/winner-of-adult-science-fair-gets-one-year-unlimited-supply-of-pbr/
Sorry: no word on Funyuns or Megan Fox.
“What They’re Saying About The Eagles: Super Bowl Edition, Q2”
(From all the second quarter threads now. Great stuff!)
https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/
Excerpt:
“I’m thinking through a lot of things and processing a lot of things right now, a lot of names,” Pederson said. “I haven’t ruled out not having an offensive coordinator. But you know, as a head coach and some of the responsibilities that I have to do during the week and some of the other obligations, I’ve got to look at that too. Because that’s where your offensive coordinator can really step in so, like I said, I’m processing a bunch of things. I’m not going to rush into it, I’m going to make sure it’s the right person, the right fit for what we’re doing.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/02/15/doug-pederson-wont-rush-offensive-coordinator-decision/
You got here first and I didn’t catch that before I posted above!
Wow I had no idea. I’m probably the only fan who didn’t know this –
As producer and Philadelphia native Mike Tollin told Deadline Hollywood, the film will focus on how Dorenbos used his love for magic as a way to cope with childhood tragedy — his father murdered his mother when Dorenbos was only 12 years old — as well as his career with the Eagles.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/jon-dorenbos-eagles-super-bowl-mike-tollin-20180215.html
Really?
His life story could be an Oscar-worthy movie with the right director and actors. Truly an impressive individual.
Yeah, how has that not been made into a movie yet? Hollywood is starving for ideas…
On Dorenbos: Wow thats tragic and inspirational
Side Note: Anybody else read that first part as “Mike Tomlin”?
Looking forward to that Colts vs. Eagles Super Bowl match up next year.
Meanwhile…
————————
“Doug Pederson won’t rush offensive coordinator decision”
Posted by Josh Alper on February 15, 2018, 3:24 PM EST
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/02/15/doug-pederson-wont-rush-offensive-coordinator-decision/
————————-
“Colts hire Dave Borgonzi as linebackers coach”
Posted by Charean Williams on February 15, 2018, 4:49 PM EST
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/02/15/colts-hire-dave-borgonzi-as-linebackers-coach/
Read the fan comments here about Andrew Luck’s health situation. Frank Reich’s got his work cut out for him.
“Andrew Luck excited about Frank Reich’s plans for Colts’ offense”
Posted by Charean Williams on February 15, 2018, 7:52 PM EST
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/02/15/andrew-luck-excited-about-frank-reichs-plans-for-colts-offense/
There’s really been no news out of Indy to suggest that Luck is ever throwing another pass.
“Should the Eagles exercise Nelson Agholor’s fifth-year option?”
By Jimmy Kempski
“Last offseason, the Eagles found a pair of wide receivers in
Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to play on the outside, traded Jordan
Matthews, and moved Agholor into slot. In his new role, Agholor
flourished, catching 62 passes for 768 yards and 8 TDs, while making a
number of highlight reel plays along the way. Oh, and he also had nine
catches in the Super Bowl on 11 targets.”
http://www.phillyvoice.com/should-eagles-exercise-nelson-agholors-fifth-year-option/
“Super ink: Demand for Eagles tattoos soars after Super Bowl”
Check out Corey Clement’s Tattoos. He better hope he’s an Eagle for Life!
http://www.espn.com/blog/philadelphia-eagles/post/_/id/24610/super-ink-eagles-tattoo-demand-soars-after-title-win
I have no words for how bad this is…
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DV8Rm64VwAAaIO8?format=jpg
Where do you find the sweatshirts that Pederson is wearing up above? I can’t seem to find it. Are they older ones?
…
Real shame about losing the OC. He seemed like a great fit. Eagles are frowned upon about a repeat, partly because losing OC. NE are favorites and they lose long time DC – not to mention, Eagles laid the groundwork on how to beat NE(not that it’s a secret).
…
As T-Law is basically saying above — great time to be an Eagles fan!