Laying the Foundation

Posted: May 24th, 2021 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 11 Comments »

Context can make a world of difference. We watched free agent moves and the draft come and go before we got to hear the Eagles coordinators speak. There were some guesses as to why certain moves were made. Now that we’ve heard all the key coaches speak at least once, things make a bit more sense.

Jonathan Gannon talked about hustle multiple times in his press conference. He wants players that are relentless and will fly to the ball. Holdovers like Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox and Alex Singleton definitely fit that mold. Now let’s think about the new guys.

Milton Williams, Zech McPhearson, Marlon Tuipulotu, Tarron Jackson and Patrick Johnson all could be described as “high motor” guys. This is obviously a critical trait for Gannon and something he wanted to focus on with this draft class.

Don’t think of this as Gannon focusing purely on effort. Williams is a dynamic athlete and was a highly disruptive DL. McPhearson is a solid athlete and has excellent ball skills. Tuipulotu showed how disruptive he can be at the Senior Bowl. Jackson was the best player on his defense and also went to the Senior Bowl. Johnson is a gifted athlete and was highly productive in college.

These guys can play.

This isn’t just a collection of overachievers that hustle. Character, brains and effort are all great, but let’s not kid ourselves. You need talent to win. These guys are talented. They just also have the right mindset and play style that Gannon is looking for. And that means a lot to him.

Think about CB Kelvin Joseph. He is infinitely more talented than McPhearson. But Joseph left two schools (LSU and Kentucky) and neither coaching staff was sad to see him leave. He didn’t want to practice. Joseph also seemed more interested in his rap career than playing football. I guarantee you he wasn’t on the Eagles board. That’s just not a guy that fits what the team is looking for.

A few years down the road, that might change. This year the Eagles are laying the foundation. They are creating the right culture and focused on bringing in the right people. Once that is truly established, you can take a chance on a player who isn’t an ideal fit. Maybe being in that environment will change the player.

The Eagles brought in veterans Anthony Harris, Eric Wilson and Ryan Kerrigan. Harris and Wilson know Gannon. Those relationships will help the transition to the new scheme. Kerrigan is a high motor guy and team leader. He’s the type of veteran you don’t mind taking a chance on.

Nick Sirianni and Shane Steichen also are looking for the right kind of players. They got DeVonta Smith and Landon Dickerson with the first two draft picks. Those guys had an NFL mentality while in college. They will make an impact on the field and in the locker room.

We heard Jalen Hurts last week. His comments show you that he’s a good fit for Sirianni and what he wants. Hurts isn’t afraid of competition. He doesn’t want anything given to him.

The new coaches want to win. They know this roster has some holes so they are trying to be smart and think of this as a building year more than a contending year. The coaches are trying to lay the foundation for the future. The goal is to install the new schemes and build the right culture. And go compete. Sirianni will push this team to win games, but a down season won’t be the end of the world if the team gets pointed in the right direction. You have to think big picture.

The more I see and hear from this coaching staff, the more I believe in them. The real test will be how the team plays, of course, but I’m starting to understand the coaches and what they want. It sure feels like there is a lot more cohesion this year than there was in 2020.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what this team does.

*****

Mike Kaye has a good piece on Landon Dickerson and the impression he made at the Senior Bowl, despite not being able to play. Dickerson really does seem to be a unique guy.

The Eagles took a big chance by spending pick 37 on him, but the more we learn, the more that pick makes sense to me. The risk is still very real. But the team felt this was a guy that was worth taking a chance on.

_


11 Comments on “Laying the Foundation”

  1. 1 Jason Kelce believes Eagles can win the NFC Eas… said at 11:37 AM on May 24th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Foundation […]

  2. 2 Eagles mentioned as a dark horse candidate for Julio Jones trade – Cares For Life said at 8:21 AM on May 25th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Foundation – Iggles BlitzWe heard Jalen Hurts last week. His comments show you that he’s a good fit for Sirianni and what he wants. Hurts isn’t afraid of competition. He doesn’t want anything given to him. The new coaches want to win. They know this roster has some holes so they are trying to be smart and think of this as a building year more than a contending year. The coaches are trying to lay the foundation for the future. The goal is to install the new schemes and build the right culture. And go compete. Sirianni will push this team to win games, but a down season won’t be the end of the world if the team gets pointed in the right direction. You have to think big picture. The more I see and hear from this coaching staff, the more I believe in them. The real test will be how the team plays, of course, but I’m starting to understand the coaches and what they want. It sure feels like there is a lot more cohesion this year than there was in 2020. […]

  3. 3 Eagles Information: Philadelphia talked about as a darkish horse candidate for Julio Jones commerce – ENTERTAINMENT said at 8:53 AM on May 25th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Basis – Iggles BlitzWe heard Jalen Hurts final week. His feedback present you that he’s a very good match for Sirianni and what he needs. Hurts isn’t afraid of competitors. He doesn’t need something given to him. The brand new coaches need to win. They know this roster has some holes so they’re making an attempt to be good and consider this as a constructing yr greater than a contending yr. The coaches try to put the muse for the longer term. The purpose is to put in the brand new schemes and construct the suitable tradition. And go compete. Sirianni will push this staff to win video games, however a down season received’t be the top of the world if the staff will get pointed in the suitable route. You need to suppose massive image. The extra I see and listen to from this teaching workers, the extra I imagine in them. The actual take a look at will probably be how the staff performs, in fact, however I’m beginning to perceive the coaches and what they need. It certain looks like there may be much more cohesion this yr than there was in 2020. […]

  4. 4 Eagles News: Philadelphia mentioned as a dark horse candidate for Julio Jones trade – Bleeding Green Nation – News Website said at 9:17 AM on May 25th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Basis – Iggles BlitzWe heard Jalen Hurts final week. His feedback present you that he’s a very good match for Sirianni and what he desires. Hurts isn’t afraid of competitors. He doesn’t need something given to him. The brand new coaches need to win. They know this roster has some holes so they’re making an attempt to be sensible and consider this as a constructing yr greater than a contending yr. The coaches are attempting to put the muse for the longer term. The objective is to put in the brand new schemes and construct the precise tradition. And go compete. Sirianni will push this staff to win video games, however a down season gained’t be the top of the world if the staff will get pointed in the precise course. It’s important to assume large image. The extra I see and listen to from this teaching employees, the extra I consider in them. The true check shall be how the staff performs, in fact, however I’m beginning to perceive the coaches and what they need. It positive looks like there may be much more cohesion this yr than there was in 2020. […]

  5. 5 Eagles News: Philadelphia mentioned as a dark horse candidate for Julio Jones trade – Bleeding Green Nation – Modern Times News said at 9:42 AM on May 25th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Foundation – Iggles BlitzWe heard Jalen Hurts last week. His comments show you that he’s a good fit for Sirianni and what he wants. Hurts isn’t afraid of competition. He doesn’t want anything given to him. The new coaches want to win. They know this roster has some holes so they are trying to be smart and think of this as a building year more than a contending year. The coaches are trying to lay the foundation for the future. The goal is to install the new schemes and build the right culture. And go compete. Sirianni will push this team to win games, but a down season won’t be the end of the world if the team gets pointed in the right direction. You have to think big picture. The more I see and hear from this coaching staff, the more I believe in them. The real test will be how the team plays, of course, but I’m starting to understand the coaches and what they want. It sure feels like there is a lot more cohesion this year than there was in 2020. […]

  6. 6 Freeowl News Network: Taking News To The Next Level said at 9:43 AM on May 25th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Foundation – Iggles BlitzWe heard Jalen Hurts last week. His comments show you that he’s a good fit for Sirianni and what he wants. Hurts isn’t afraid of competition. He doesn’t want anything given to him. The new coaches want to win. They know this roster has some holes so they are trying to be smart and think of this as a building year more than a contending year. The coaches are trying to lay the foundation for the future. The goal is to install the new schemes and build the right culture. And go compete. Sirianni will push this team to win games, but a down season won’t be the end of the world if the team gets pointed in the right direction. You have to think big picture. The more I see and hear from this coaching staff, the more I believe in them. The real test will be how the team plays, of course, but I’m starting to understand the coaches and what they want. It sure feels like there is a lot more cohesion this year than there was in 2020. […]

  7. 7 Eagles News: Philadelphia mentioned as a dark horse candidate for Julio Jones trade - Bleeding Green Nation | Cease Poverty Now! said at 9:52 AM on May 25th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Foundation – Iggles BlitzWe heard Jalen Hurts last week. His comments show you that he’s a good fit for Sirianni and what he wants. Hurts isn’t afraid of competition. He doesn’t want anything given to him. The new coaches want to win. They know this roster has some holes so they are trying to be smart and think of this as a building year more than a contending year. The coaches are trying to lay the foundation for the future. The goal is to install the new schemes and build the right culture. And go compete. Sirianni will push this team to win games, but a down season won’t be the end of the world if the team gets pointed in the right direction. You have to think big picture. The more I see and hear from this coaching staff, the more I believe in them. The real test will be how the team plays, of course, but I’m starting to understand the coaches and what they want. It sure feels like there is a lot more cohesion this year than there was in 2020. […]

  8. 8 Eagles News: Philadelphia mentioned as a dark horse candidate for Julio Jones trade – Bleeding Green Nation - Ambstrong said at 9:54 AM on May 25th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Foundation – Iggles BlitzWe heard Jalen Hurts last week. His comments show you that he’s a good fit for Sirianni and what he wants. Hurts isn’t afraid of competition. He doesn’t want anything given to him. The new coaches want to win. They know this roster has some holes so they are trying to be smart and think of this as a building year more than a contending year. The coaches are trying to lay the foundation for the future. The goal is to install the new schemes and build the right culture. And go compete. Sirianni will push this team to win games, but a down season won’t be the end of the world if the team gets pointed in the right direction. You have to think big picture. The more I see and hear from this coaching staff, the more I believe in them. The real test will be how the team plays, of course, but I’m starting to understand the coaches and what they want. It sure feels like there is a lot more cohesion this year than there was in 2020. […]

  9. 9 The Linc - Eagles mentioned as a dark horse candidate for Julio Jones trade said at 10:04 AM on May 25th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Foundation – Iggles BlitzWe heard Jalen Hurts last week. His comments show you that he’s a good fit for Sirianni and what he wants. Hurts isn’t afraid of competition. He doesn’t want anything given to him. The new coaches want to win. They know this roster has some holes so they are trying to be smart and think of this as a building year more than a contending year. The coaches are trying to lay the foundation for the future. The goal is to install the new schemes and build the right culture. And go compete. Sirianni will push this team to win games, but a down season won’t be the end of the world if the team gets pointed in the right direction. You have to think big picture. The more I see and hear from this coaching staff, the more I believe in them. The real test will be how the team plays, of course, but I’m starting to understand the coaches and what they want. It sure feels like there is a lot more cohesion this year than there was in 2020. […]

  10. 10 Eagles News: Philadelphia mentioned as a dark horse candidate for Julio Jones trade - Bleeding Green Nation | 511Host Global Network News said at 10:56 AM on May 25th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Foundation – Iggles BlitzWe heard Jalen Hurts last week. His comments show you that he’s a good fit for Sirianni and what he wants. Hurts isn’t afraid of competition. He doesn’t want anything given to him. The new coaches want to win. They know this roster has some holes so they are trying to be smart and think of this as a building year more than a contending year. The coaches are trying to lay the foundation for the future. The goal is to install the new schemes and build the right culture. And go compete. Sirianni will push this team to win games, but a down season won’t be the end of the world if the team gets pointed in the right direction. You have to think big picture. The more I see and hear from this coaching staff, the more I believe in them. The real test will be how the team plays, of course, but I’m starting to understand the coaches and what they want. It sure feels like there is a lot more cohesion this year than there was in 2020. […]

  11. 11 Eagles News: Philadelphia mentioned as a dark horse candidate for Julio Jones trade – Bleeding Green Nation – Actual News said at 11:22 AM on May 25th, 2021:

    […] Laying the Foundation – Iggles BlitzWe heard Jalen Hurts last week. His comments show you that he’s a good fit for Sirianni and what he wants. Hurts isn’t afraid of competition. He doesn’t want anything given to him. The new coaches want to win. They know this roster has some holes so they are trying to be smart and think of this as a building year more than a contending year. The coaches are trying to lay the foundation for the future. The goal is to install the new schemes and build the right culture. And go compete. Sirianni will push this team to win games, but a down season won’t be the end of the world if the team gets pointed in the right direction. You have to think big picture. The more I see and hear from this coaching staff, the more I believe in them. The real test will be how the team plays, of course, but I’m starting to understand the coaches and what they want. It sure feels like there is a lot more cohesion this year than there was in 2020. […]