Good Vibes

Posted: January 5th, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 2 Comments »

Psychology matters in football. Jimmy Johnson had a background in it and was masterful at pushing the right buttons of his Cowboys teams. Bill Parcells studied psychology and always knew what to say or do to get a reaction from his players. Vince Lombardi was just naturally instinctive when it came to playing mind games with his teams. Bill Walsh also used psychology, but was less manipulative and more about appealing to the professional side of his players.

Those of us on the outside try to read Eagles players and gauge where the team is mentally and emotionally. Sometimes we nail it, other times we are dead wrong.

As I listen to the players and take in interviews and soundbytes from games, I like what I’m hearing. The Eagles are giving off the right vibes.

There is no talk of being defending champs. Instead, the focus seems to be more on the fact the team had to claw and fight their way into the playoffs and how they can’t wait to prove to the other teams what a mistake it was to let them in (so to speak).

Great hype video from the Eagles here.

Malcolm talks about a brotherhood, how much the players love each other. Think about the way the guys talk about Nick Foles. That is one special dude. Compare that to something else we saw last Sunday.

https://twitter.com/MarkPoulose/status/1079510738329370624

Teammates can argue. There’s nothing wrong with that. But in the biggest game of the year, that’s not a good look. Kirk Cousins is more physically gifted than Nick Foles, but Foles is infinitely better as a leader and that makes a world of difference for a QB.

The Eagles had great team chemistry last year with Carson Wentz and Foles. Both QBs are natural leaders who put the team before themselves. Their teammates see that and love them for it. This year’s Eagles didn’t have great chemistry because players just kept coming and going.

That has changed in recent weeks. The lineup has started to stabilize and this group has felt more like a team than just a collection of players wearing the same jersey. Does winning create the good chemistry or is it the other way around? You can argue both ways.

What I do know is that when I watch the Eagles now, they just feel different than the rest of the year.

They are confident. And aggressive. But I don’t get the feeling that they are cocky. They’ve won five of the last six games. They’ve beaten some good teams. They’ve won on the road. This team is in a groove and at the perfect time of the year.

There should be some real excitement about the playoffs. Jason Peters hasn’t played in a playoff game since 2013. He’s never won a playoff game. Darren Sproles hasn’t been in a playoff game as an Eagle. Jordan Hicks will be playing in his first playoff game on Sunday. I’m sure Golden Tate and Haloti Ngata are excited about getting back to the postseason.

Young guys like Rasul Douglas, Cameron Johnston and Cre’Von LeBlanc are looking forward to starting on a playoff team.

You also have the rookies. Several of them will play key roles on Sunday. As Corey Clement and Derek Barnett showed last year, rookies can make impact plays in huge games.

And with a leader like Malcolm Jenkins, anything is possible.

This isn’t 2017, Pt. 2.

This is the 2018 Eagles. And they are in the playoffs to kick some ass and win some games.

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2 Comments on “Good Vibes”

  1. 1 Eagles News: Jordan Hicks set to play in his first NFL playoff game - Football News Latest said at 8:02 AM on January 6th, 2019:

    […] Good Vibes – Iggles BlitzPsychology matters in football. Jimmy Johnson had a background in it and was masterful at pushing the right buttons of his Cowboys teams. Bill Parcells studied psychology and always knew what to say or do to get a reaction from his players. Vince Lombardi was just naturally instinctive when it came to playing mind games with his teams. Bill Walsh also used psychology, but was less manipulative and more about appealing to the professional side of his players. Those of us on the outside try to read Eagles players and gauge where the team is mentally and emotionally. Sometimes we nail it, other times we are dead wrong. As I listen to the players and take in interviews and soundbytes from games, I like what I’m hearing. The Eagles are giving off the right vibes. There is no talk of being defending champs. Instead, the focus seems to be more on the fact the team had to claw and fight their way into the playoffs and how they can’t wait to prove to the other teams what a mistake it was to let them in (so to speak). […]

  2. 2 Eagles News: Jordan Hicks set to play in his first NFL playoff game – SportsNewsNow said at 9:33 AM on January 6th, 2019:

    […] Good Vibes – Iggles BlitzPsychology matters in football. Jimmy Johnson had a background in it and was masterful at pushing the right buttons of his Cowboys teams. Bill Parcells studied psychology and always knew what to say or do to get a reaction from his players. Vince Lombardi was just naturally instinctive when it came to playing mind games with his teams. Bill Walsh also used psychology, but was less manipulative and more about appealing to the professional side of his players. Those of us on the outside try to read Eagles players and gauge where the team is mentally and emotionally. Sometimes we nail it, other times we are dead wrong. As I listen to the players and take in interviews and soundbytes from games, I like what I’m hearing. The Eagles are giving off the right vibes. There is no talk of being defending champs. Instead, the focus seems to be more on the fact the team had to claw and fight their way into the playoffs and how they can’t wait to prove to the other teams what a mistake it was to let them in (so to speak). […]