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Donovan McNabb emerged as a premier playmaker at quarterback, Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan gave the offense two outstanding and durable tackles, and the defense was among the best in the NFL at creating turnovers and preventing points.
But special teams played an equally vital role in the Eagles' ascent. Brian Mitchell was an elite returner, and when he involuntarily handed the baton to Brian Westbrook in 2003, the kid from Villanova made the return game even better. J.R. Reed, as a rookie, kept the tradition alive during the Eagles' run to the Super Bowl in 2004.
Ike Reese became the captain of the coverage teams, veteran Sean Landeta brought stability to the punting position, and David Akers was the NFC's Pro Bowl kicker three times in four years.
For the Eagles to rise again in the NFC, they need to regain their elite status on special teams just as much as McNabb needs to stay healthy and the defense needs to create more turnovers.
The players still around from the time things started going well know that, and they were excited after rookies Quintin Demps and DeSean Jackson provided a couple of returns for touchdowns during the Eagles' 27-17 exhibition victory over the New England Patriots on Friday night.
"I haven't seen that around here in a while," Akers said. "Our whole sideline erupted, and you could see the other sideline deflated. I think it's a great boost for us, and you can build off that for sure. I wish it was the regular season."
Special-teams coordinator Rory Segrest is optimistic.
"We feel like they can be great returners for us, and we're anticipating a lot more things from them as the season goes along," Segrest said. "Both of those guys are really good returners, and that's one of the reasons we brought them in."
Runyan described the importance of the two touchdown returns and quality special-teams play in the simplest of terms.
"It makes your job a lot easier," he said. "DeSean runs that punt back right before the half, so I don't have to go out there and run the two-minute drill. It's just an entire momentum thing. You start riding on that kind of stuff, something sparks and there you go. We have an opportunity to score some points with those two guys, and that's something we haven't had in a while."
Special teams are about more than kickoff and punt returns, although those two areas left a lot to be desired during the Reno Mahe era.
Sav Rocca's net punting average of 34.5 yards a year ago ranked 29th in the NFL, but it appeared as if he fed off the rookie returners Friday, averaging 48.5 yards on four punts, including two in the fourth quarter that he hit out of bounds inside the 4-yard line.
"When you see people perform well, it certainly runs and radiates throughout the whole team," Rocca said. "I have to say, that's the first time I've seen two return touchdowns."
Jackson and Demps are confident, despite being rookies.
"I'm a very versatile player, and I feel like I'm capable of doing whatever is needed, whether it's getting open as a receiver or taking punt returns to the house," Jackson said.
Demps was asked about running over Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski on the way to the end zone.
"He's got to get in the weight room," Demps said.
Much to the dismay of their coach, Demps and Jackson each struck an arms-crossed pose after their scores.
"Coach Reid was like, 'Get out of here, what are you guys doing?' " Jackson said. "Coach Reid is cool. He was just joking around. There are some things you have to do sometimes. When you're feeling good and winning, things like that happen."
As long as the poses keep coming after touchdown returns, Reid will learn to live with them.
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