Culture Matters

Winning in the NFL isn’t easy.

A year ago, the Jaguars looked to be a team that was embarking on a successful run. The team went from 3-13 in 2016 to 11-5 in 2017. They made it to the AFC title game and had the Patriots on the ropes. The team was loaded with young talent and the future looked incredibly bright.

Jacksonville went 5-11 this year. Injuries were an issue, but the team just fell apart. When things got tough, they didn’t have “it”. You can call it chemistry or camaraderie or culture or whatever you want. Some teams have it, some don’t. The Jags didn’t.

When the Eagles hit rock bottom after their 48-7 loss to the Saints in mid-November, the team could have easily fallen apart.  That didn’t happen. Instead, the team leaders took it upon themselves to bring the players together and let them know what had to be done. They worked together to right the ship. There was no “I” or “me”. It was all about the team.

Eagles players refer to themselves as a brotherhood. They seem to genuinely care for each other and that locker room sure seems to have a special vibe.

And there is value in that.

Look at how dysfunctional the Steelers have been in recent years. From 2011-2018, they have been .500 or better every year. They only made it to the AFC title game once. As much talent as they’ve had, the Steelers seemed to underachieve. Compare the leadership skills of Nick Foles and Carson Wentz to Ben Roethlisberger. Foles and Wentz go out of their way to make everything about the team. Big Ben adds drama to the mix.

Doug Pederson is a terrific leader. He has good assistants. And the Eagles have terrific leaders up and down the roster. Malcolm Jenkins might be as good a leader as anyone who has ever played for the organization. I don’t know who I’d put above him. Then you mix in guys like Michael Bennett, Fletcher Cox, Jason Kelce and Jason Peters. Add in personalities like Chris Long, Jalen Mills, Tim Jernigan, Lane Johnson and Zach Ertz. You get one heck of a team.

When things are good, that team rolls to the first Super Bowl win in the organization’s history. When things are tough, they battle their way into the playoffs and go as far as they possibly can.

The Eagles won’t be able to keep all the players they want to, but there is a strong enough core that the locker room should remain a key strength and help this team continue winning in the future. The brotherhood will go on.

*****

Significant takeaway from #Eagles locker room as team heads into active offseason:

Many players said Doug Pederson has a great reputation around the league for earning the respect of his players; guys have been told that players want to come here and play for Doug.

— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherNFL) January 14, 2019

https://twitter.com/JamieApody/status/1084617841712787457

I can’t imagine players not wanting to play for this guy. Great video.

*****

At the end of locker room cleanout, Brandon Graham, outside in the hall, gave every media member a hug on their way out “just in case.”

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) January 15, 2019

It is really cool to see how far Graham has come in his time with the Eagles. He had to battle injuries, expectations and the legend of Earl Thomas over the first few years of his career. Graham has never posted great sack numbers, but he is a highly disruptive player and a hero from the team’s first ever Super Bowl win.

Brandon Graham turned out to be a great draft pick.

I hope the team can work out a fair deal for him and them and keep him around.

*****

The 2018 season is over and that means we’ll focus on the future. There will be plenty of time to talk about offseason plans and the moves that should be made.

The only thing I’ll mention here is that Carson Wentz will be the QB and should be the QB.

Nick Foles is a special guy and did some amazing things, but Wentz is the guy you build your franchise around.

*****

There was a time back in November that I was ready for the season to be over. The team wasn’t winning and they just weren’t that much fun. They weren’t making plays. They were a mediocre team that had enough talent to be competitive.

That changed and the season became enjoyable. It wasn’t just the winning. It was seeing guys like Cre’Von LeBlanc go from “Who?” to hero. Football became fun again.

I’m sorry it’s over, but I’m glad we got to enjoy part of the ride. We got a shutout and a road playoff win. That should put a smile on your face.

The 1995 season is one of my favorite of all-time. The Eagles went 10-6 and won a wild card game. Nothing huge, but a wild, fun season. I wonder if in time I’ll start to feel the same way about 2018.

_