They came in one at a time yesterday.  All of the Eagles veterans reported to Lehigh University, got the keys to their rooms and settled in for a couple of weeks of intensely focusing on football.
I liked what tight end Brent Celek had to say because he thinks this young squad needs to focus on going after a Super Bowl from day one and I agree with him.
“If I didn’t think we could win the Super Bowl, I wouldn’t be standing here,” Celek said to a group of reporters. “I’d take my butt back home and sit on my couch because all this is for nothing.¬† We’re all here to win a ring and 31 other teams are here to do the same thing. We have just as good a shot as everyone else. So we’re here to prove it.”
Safety Quintin Mikell continued on the same theme.
“There‚Äôs no lower expectations. We‚Äôre expecting to get to the Super Bowl. I don‚Äôt care who‚Äôs out there. Everybody that‚Äôs been talking, it‚Äôs time to put up. Everybody has been talking. For instance, if I say something to the effect of, ‚ÄòIt‚Äôs time for the young guys to step up ‚Ķ I gotta put up.‚Äô”
I hear people talking about how this young Eagles team will have five or six years of opportunity to win a Super Bowl, but we all know there’s no guarantee that their key players will stay healthy.¬† Injuries are a part of NFL football.¬† Each year players go down, so Celek and Mikell’s mentaility must be adopted by everybody in the organization.¬† They must seize the moment.
2010 might be this team’s best opportunity to win it all, so they must have that mentality.
Unlike the planning in the past decade, the front office should try to field a Super Bowl championship team each year because you never know when you’re going to get the best opportunity to win it all.¬† I think the Eagles failed to put together a Super Bowl roster during their early trips to the NFC Championship game because their receivers were garbage.
They can’t make that mistake again.
I would also like to see them find a way to get some good-faith money to Pro Bowl wide out and punt returner DeSean Jackson. Guys who produce should be rewarded.¬† It’s as simple as that.
Jackson refused to talk to the media but he got his point across by not saying a word.¬† Jackson didn’t bad mouth the front office even though he’s not happy with his contract.
Jackson knew he was going to get questions about his contract, but he didn’t want to say anything negative, so he said nothing.¬† By not talking he sends that message out loud and clear.
I’m concerned that this situation could become a serious problem, if the team starts out slow and Jeremy Maclin is being thrown¬† to more than Jackson.¬† I could see him blowing up under those circumstances because of the problems with his contract.
Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel didn’t have anything to say but that was no surprise because he rarely talks to the media.¬† If he’s not yelling at reporters during practice, he’s not saying anything to them.
Starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley who is returning from a knee injury which sidelined for the entire 2009 season, is eager to put on the pads and start pounding.
“I’m just looking forward to a little contact,” Bradley said while carrying items into the dorms. “It’s been a long time since I hit somebody, and you don’t realize how much you miss that until you can’t do that.”
Let’s get this party started, everybody.
Celek and Mikell appear to be stepping up into leadership roles. This is a young team, and it can be an exciting year, but with the exit of McNabb and BWest this year and Dawk last year, there need to be some leaders to emerge.
For me, I want to see Bradley step up, but he will need to prove he is healthy and can still do the things he showed in 2008.
I agree with you G, regarding Djax. If they can somehow get some “good faith” money his way it would probably head off some potential problems.
They can throw Djax a few bones like the titans did Chris Johnson. It makes no sense not too. .
Great article G…I agree. Thats all the man needs keep 5, just a few bones like CJ and the other players who have earned it – to keep him happy until it’s time for the big contract. That’s all I’m saying.. Silva? Scorp? Schill?
who cares tix prices will still remain the same and i still will be poor ol dont care if he makes 10/hr or or 10 mil a gm
Now I’m not an expert but from what I’ve read Jackson’s contract situation is different enough from CJ’s that them giving him more money isn’t really possible. The Titans were able to move some money forward from the last year of his contract but I don’t think Jackson is either signed that long or his contract isn’t structured in a way that would allow them to move the money around. Its a nice idea and he has earned it but I don’t know if its even feasible.
Jackson has all the ear marks of a player this team usually extends early. They’re not afraid to reward players who play at that pro bowl level but Jackson and many others are getting screwed by this CBA BS. They can’t give him a new deal that he deserves because of that 15% restriction or whatever it is and I don’t know if they can pull off a similar deal to CJs. Its not like they gave him more money they just moved it around and like I said I don’t know if DeSean has that kind of money sitting around in his contract to be played with.
gcobb.com fantasy league guys?
scorp wasup can i get in how much ?
Sorry PW,
Scorp Fantasy League stipulates that you must score at least in double digits in your “Wonderlic Test” and that unfortunately, you just missed the minimum requirement by scoring a 9 …
PW it was free last year. Just for fun. Email me if you want in. drew_sg2000@yahoo.com
Thanks Paulman.
I am looking forward to drinking some beer and yelling at my TV this fall like a good Philly fan. Anyone notice Herreman’s ride? Funny.
PW it was free last year. Just for fun. Email me if you want in drew_sg2000 at yahoo.com
yea im in i got a cpl other leagues too if yall want in everything done online and with pay pal let me know i dont have all details but will by monday willpen24 at yahoo
On my way to Lehigh tomorrow, but I’m not speaking to the media until Jackson does.
invite sent gotta get 8 more of these guys to get in