Change is coming. Win or lose, this Philadelphia Eagles team will look much different next season. It happens every year to every team.
How much change the Eagles will endure could depend on how they fare Monday night in the opening round of the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Brandon Graham, who probably won’t be brought back for his 14th season with the team, hinted at what could be changing, and he didn’t exclude the coaching staff.
“We know next year the team is going to be different,” he said. “The coaches are going to be different, everything’s going to be different, so it’s more about trying to take advantage and help some people with what’s going to happen next year.”
Interesting comment from Graham, who added he’s not trying to think about the impending change.
“I’m just more about trying to finish out this year the right way and giving ourselves the best chance to go out and finish the right way by executing, being together, and knowing what’s at stake right now, that it’s all or nothing,” he said.
Left tackle Jordan Mailata is using the impending finality, whenever it arrives, as motivation.
“I don’t want it to be the last time,” he said. “I want to win a Super Bowl. Damn, we got this close last year, I want to go back there. I’m here to win Super Bowls, not Pro Bowls, All-Pro, whatever that (bleep) is. Yeah, it’s cool, 100 percent, and I respect all my colleagues who made Pro Bowl and All-Pro and that, but ultimately, I want Super Bowls.”
To take the first step and ensure the Eagles aren’t playing their final game together, Mailata believes they need to do two things – run the ball and block the blitz.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles will send waves of blitzes at the Eagles, especially after seeing the success the New York Giants had at doing that last week. Philly had no answer.
Mailata even joked, though he claimed he wasn’t joking, that the Eagles are open to suggestions on how to keep the blitz from ruining their game plan.
“We’re doing everything we can in the meetings to address the situation,” he said. “We’re not executing the protections we have to block the blitz, but I’m feeling confident this week. It’s a good plan. But if you have any suggestions, please let us know. I’m dead serious.”
Darius Slay was also serious when he said there’s both good and bad to faces, and maybe coaches, too, changing. At 33, Slay could even be one of those changed out.
“It’s a great thing and a bad thing because some of these guys that go off and go other places, they get paid the money they deserve, so that’s always a good thing, and the other guys are like, dang, I miss him being in the locker room, but they’re always doing best for their self and their family, but that’s a great thing about me is I try to connect with everyone so we can always be friends outside of football and outside of being in this building all the time,” he said.
“The building is cool and all but whenever I’m done, whenever that’ll be, I’m going to miss the locker room other than just playing. I have some good conversations with guys in here.”
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