When Bad Is Good

Posted: July 1st, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

The Eagles meltdown at the end of the 2023 season was ugly with a capital U. Letting Drew Lock drive the length of the field to pull off a comeback win? Ugly. Giving up 35 points to the Cardinals and blowing a 15-point lead in that loss? Ugly. Losing by 23 points to Baker Mayfield and the Bucs in the wild card round? U-G-L-Y.

Yikes.

As bad as that finish was, it was actually good in a way. Had the Eagles gone on a run in the playoffs or won some of those late season games, the front office might have thought major changes weren’t needed. When the team loses 5 of 6 going into the playoffs and then gets dominated in the wild card round, things are going to change for sure. Jeff Lurie and Howie Roseman weren’t going to sit still and hope for the best.

It would have been interesting to know what Nick Sirianni’s thoughts were a few days after the season was over. He is ultra-competitive so he had to be incredibly frustrated by the disastrous finish. At the same time, Sirianni is a coach. They are loyal to assistants and players. I wonder how differently things would have gone in the offseason if he was in control.

He’s not, of course. Lurie and Roseman let Sirianni know that changes were needed. Not just for the sake of change, but rather to fix the flaws that had become glaring issues late in the season. The defense was ineffective, but even worse…embarrassingly soft. Buddy Ryan was rolling over in his grave as he watched some of those “tackles”. Ugh. The offense failed to score 20 points in 5 of the final 7 games. When they needed to step up, they sat down.

The worst thing you can do is come away from a season thinking “We’re pretty close”. Sometimes that is true, but more often than not it proves to be wrong. Very wrong. The meltdown made it clear to everyone that changes needed to be made. People might have differed on what they wanted, but this wasn’t an offseaon that called for caution and discretion.

Most analysts agree that the Eagles had a strong offseason, both in the draft and with pro personnel moves. They got younger, faster and more athletic. They added playmaking DBs. They signed a stud RB in Saquon Barkley. They added good role players. They took chances on former first round picks Devin White, Mekhi Becton and John Ross.

We don’t know if the Eagles made the right moves. Only time will tell that. I do like the fact the team added talent and some attitude. CJ Gardner-Johnson plays with an edge. That was sorely lacking last year. Isaiah Rodgers missed all last season due to a gambling suspension. He is desperate to get on the field and show what he can do. Devin White isn’t happy about how last season went for him. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. Barkley is desperate to win after a mostly miserable run with the Giants.

Last year the Eagles played like fat cats. They had more of a sense of entitlement than an edge. The extra large humble pie they ate throughout December and January should have gotten rid of any of that.

If the Eagles come out hungry, they can get back to winning and contending for a title. Let’s hope they made the right changes on and off the field to get this team back to where it needs to be.

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Jimmy Bama shared some of his thoughts on why the Eagles could be very good again this year.

He’s no Danielle Steele, but Jimmy did make some good points.

*****

Here is a good piece by Dave Zangaro.

The Eagles have more than a few breakout candidates. Do we consider Milton Williams a breakout candidate? I would. He’s got a chance at a lot of playing time this year. Huge opportunity for him.

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One Comment on “When Bad Is Good”

  1. 1 The Linc – Cam Jurgens among top breakout candidates - Balance Sportscast said at 2:04 PM on July 2nd, 2024:

    […] When Bad Is Good – Iggles BlitzWe don’t know if the Eagles made the right moves. Only time will tell that. I do like the fact the team added talent and some attitude. CJ Gardner-Johnson plays with an edge. That was sorely lacking last year. Isaiah Rodgers missed all last season due to a gambling suspension. He is desperate to get on the field and show what he can do. Devin White isn’t happy about how last season went for him. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. Barkley is desperate to win after a mostly miserable run with the Giants. Last year the Eagles played like fat cats. They had more of a sense of entitlement than an edge. The extra large humble pie they ate throughout December and January should have gotten rid of any of that. If the Eagles come out hungry, they can get back to winning and contending for a title. Let’s hope they made the right changes on and off the field to get this team back to where it needs to be. […]