Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Connections

Posted August 12th, 2026 | No Comments »

Nick Sirianni uses the word “connect” a lot when talking to his team or about his team. Connecting is a core value for the Eagles and has served them well.

Last year’s team was a bit disjointed. That happens when you win a Super Bowl and live under a microscope. There was also the whole AJ Brown saga. This team feels different. Part of it is players bonding for unique reasons. The guys seem to love outliers like Uar Bernard, Willie Lampkin and Josh Weru.

The other O-linemen love watching Lampkin and playing with him. The DL love the challenge of trying to take on a samller but still talented player.

Bernard is pretty much the opposite of Lampkin. He doesn’t have skill or experience, but has good size and is a physical freak. The DL love him.

Moro Ojomo has built a special bond with Bernard and taken him under his wing. This kind of mentoring will help Bernard learn about football and will also help him adjust to life in the US. Living in a foreign country is never easy, especially when you’re on your own.

Jalyx Hunt has a similar connection with Weru.

Lane Johnson and the other veteran OL have worked with Markel Bell to help him out. Who better to have as a mentor than the best RT of the last decade. There is a lot to learn from any veteran. Getting to learn from a future Hall of Famer is special.

You love to see this kind of bonding between players.

Saquon Barkley has been very engaged this summer. He’s looked great. He has also talked a lot of trash and really been vocal with teammates. There is value in this type of competitive connection. Barkley is pushing his teammates to be their best.

Some players have become more vocal as leaders. Jordan Davis has stepped up as a player and as a leader. He has really embraced being a key part of the team. His new contract seems to have brought out the best in him. Jordan Mailata has been more vocal this offseason. He’s become a key leader for the team.

We’ve talked this offseason about how Jalen Hurts has embraced his role as the team leader. He’s been more vocal and spent more time in the spotlight. Hurts has always been a good leader. It just feels like he’s taken things to the next level.

This connecting…being together is great, but now we need to see how it affects the performance of the players during the season. The 2017 team was tight and it led to a Super Bowl win. We’ll see what the 2026 team has in store for us.

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Here are some random items of interest.

It is always interesting to get national perspective on the Eagles.

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