POSITIONING FOR A SUPERBOWL RUN.
43.5%
That is the percentage of Eagle's fans who think the key to this season is "Starting fast".
The Eagles play Cleveland and Arizona in 2 of their first 3 games. Even if they go 3-0, some people will question the legitimacy of those wins, just like they question the legitimacy of the final four weeks of last season. Even if they do start fast, the legitimacy will be shrugged at until probably the Bye Week.
I'm among the 37.4% who say the key is "Winning the division". Doesn't matter how fast we start, if we still win it in the end. The 1994 Eagles started 7-2 under Kotite. We finished 7-9. Win the division outright and your spot is locked in. So the NFC East is the first goal. Not first step. First goal.
I want this team to get better as the season goes on. Camp will help with their schematic understanding a great deal, but they'll need some REAL games against an actual gameplans, to test what they think they know this year, vs. what they feel they didn't know last year.
I don't expect them to be great right out the box. To win? Yes. To be great? Not so much.
Not yet.
By far I expect the biggest area of improvement will be the Todd Bowles coached Secondary. Last year we led the league with 50 team sacks, while giving up the 9th most TD passes, and giving up the 2nd most 40+ yard plays. That means when we weren't getting sacks, we were getting murdered. That screamed "Jesus save my Secondary!" So Jesus sent some help. Got us a Secondary coach and then we got a better than decent vet at the Safety position, for depth if nothing else.
Better coverages mean QBs hold the ball longer. It also means our upgraded LB's don't have to help in coverage as much. It's A-B-C fellas. It's only complicated if you want it to be.
Even with the problems of last year, we were 8th in scoring and 10th in points allowed. If they can clean up a few mental errors on Offense, and tune up just a couple of fundamentals on Defense, they walk away with the NFC East between their teeth.
Keep that bug away, and we talkin' 'bout a Mortal Lock.
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Some great points here, flip but the Eagles were 8th in scoring and 10th in points allowed but horrible in turnover differntial with the quarterback being the biggest offender. If that changes and he can stay healthy then I think the Eagles could have a great year. Still not taking the Giants nor the Cowboys lightly. I'm sure their fans can throw out some stats that make them feel like the division should be their's for the taking also and I wouldn't be shocked to see any of the three take the crown. Here's hoping that your thinking is the way it goes!
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Eagles fans traditionally are AWESOME at pointing out when the deck is stacked against us. On the other hand when it comes to recognizing when WE have an advantage...not so good at that. For some reason Philadelphians LOVE, absolutely COVET being the underdog. It's clear that some are terrified to declare themselves and assume a leading role when it's clear that we should.
Everybody hit the bandwagon HARD even though people (LIKE ME!), kept saying it takes time to gel. When the Eagles didn't meet unreal expectations some...fans, bailed. They'll have time to gel this year (particularly on Defense, you watch) and that will be a huge factor in the difference you see this year.
I'm man enough to step up and put me out there. If fellow fans want to get ready to laugh at me if the Eagles fall short, so be it. I'm ready.
But I'm firmly behind my guys. -
Just because I don't think the Eagles will run away with the division doesn't mean I am not behind them, flip. I'll be pulling for them just like I do every year and will still be watching each game no matter if they are 15-0 in week 17 or 0-15. I still get the papers every day looking for Eagles news and scan the internet every day or two looking for a new bit of info. I have high HOPES for them but also know that this team is far from perfect. I have my opinion, realize that you have yours and am not laughing at you. I honestly hope that the season goes the way you see it going...nothing but a few wins in the playoffs and a Super Bowl victory would make me happier!
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Green you shouldn't have to explain your fan support to anyone. Especially one who had the nerve to call for a boycott of everything Eagles, and is clearly a Raiders fan. If this idiot doesn't understand the difference between legit fan concerns and fan support nothing you ever write will ever change his mind, so it isn't worth you wasting your time trying to explain a concept completely foreign to him.
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I also don't think they're perfect. I'M the guy who thinks they won't really hit their stride until Week 4 or 5. Said that MULTIPLE times in MULTIPLE posts so far.
I never said they would run away with the division. In fact in this VERY POST, in paragraphs 4 and 5 (if you can count "43.5%" as a paragraph, lol) I make the point that I expect them to win it LATER.
However I'm standing behind my assertion, (assumption if you must) that when the smoke clears, provided we don't get bitten to hard by the injury bug (been saying THAT since the get go too), WE WILL stand atop the NFC EAST.
MORTAL LOCK. -
YUP!
I think by the Bye Week the bandwagon will have people bouncing off the sides as the try to jump on. -
Where do you want the updates sent?
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You got it.
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Newman released/A new man signed. A Ball release/ Cowboys CB's will finally pick a ball off. Frank Walker released/ Quite frankly who cares. ADIOS AMIGOS!!
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Thank to Claiborne Carr Crawford Carter & Conners/ Cowboys Nation can finally "See" a Contender approaching from the "Seas".
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Here it comes.
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