Phrase to the clever: For those who’re a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, depart your Tremendous Bowl ring in its field at dwelling.
Undoubtedly don’t let Jalen Hurts, Jordan Mailata or Nick Sirianni catch you sporting it as you put together for the brand new season. The Eagles could also be in prime place to repeat as champions, however they refuse to even entertain that mindset.
“No matter we did final 12 months, that’s within the rearview mirror. We’re not defending nothing,” Mailata stated this summer time. “We’re not the defending champs. We’re the 2024 world champions. That’s it. We’re not defending (expletive).”
Sirianni caught a variety of grief from his personal followers early final 12 months, however he has his gamers in the suitable way of thinking, an nearly Belichickian insistence that they’re on to their subsequent project.
“I feel that when groups try so arduous to repeat or making an attempt so arduous to recapture, there are two errors that they make,” Sirianni stated. “They both are taking a look at their previous accomplishments or they’re wanting too far into the way forward for how do you do this once more?”
If Philadelphia falls wanting one other Lombardi Trophy, mentality received’t be the offender.
However there are two potential sore spots to observe if you happen to root for the Birds.
Let’s begin with the runner-up to the precise Achilles’ heel. The Eagles should not have any bother working the ball to start the season. They nonetheless have maybe one of the best line in soccer, and the signing of Saquon Barkley is what really put them excessive final 12 months.
You understand how many working backs have had 2,000-yard seasons, now that Barkley has joined the membership? 9. You understand how many have finished it twice? None.
It might be silly to not count on a slight dip in manufacturing for Barkley this 12 months, even when a 1,600-yard dashing season would nonetheless be terrific. However the greater concern is his put on and tear — and the way he appears in Week 14 in comparison with Week 1.
The Eagles want Barkley contemporary on the finish of the season, once they face their chief division rival, the Washington Commanders, in Weeks 16 and 18 with a visit to Buffalo in between. And with No. 2 working again Kenneth Gainwell gone, the job of spelling Barkley falls to rookie Will Shipley and veteran A.J. Dillon, whose prime might already be behind him. Will they be efficient?
However the offense isn’t the true concern. ESPN lately ranked each group’s positional teams, and the Eagles landed within the prime 10 throughout the board on offense — apart from tight finish, which got here in at No. 14.
One spot, although, caught out like a sore thumb: edge rusher. Philadelphia ranked No. 31.
Attending to the quarterback is paramount in at the moment’s NFL. The Eagles have been tremendous final 12 months, amassing 41 sacks, proper across the league median. They added 16 extra within the playoffs.
However main sack artist Josh Sweat left in free company, and veteran Brandon Graham retired, leaving them very younger on the place. In addition to Nolan Smith — who had 6.5 sacks within the common season and 4 extra within the playoffs — it’s unclear what they actually have. Jalyx Hunt? Giants castoff Azeez Ojulari?
Philly has to face Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen this season, two of the toughest quarterbacks to deliver down. Even the Giants nominally upgraded on the place with a still-somewhat-mobile Russell Wilson. The Eagles may use a real drive-killing cannonball off the sting.
This group doesn’t carry the identical air of dynastic inevitability the Chiefs had earlier this decade. Perhaps it’s all of the fake doubt individuals nonetheless spew about Hurts.
Nonetheless, this is among the greatest groups within the league for the fourth 12 months in a row. However in opposition to a brutal schedule, a crack or two within the armor may very well be sufficient to finish their hopes of repeating.
