This has been quite an offseason for the Eagles in terms of personnel changes to the football team.
The Birds have seen the exit of a number of veteran players who had been major parts of their past success. Safety Brian Dawkins, left tackle Tra Thomas and right tackle Jon Runyan were all outstanding players in Philadelphia, but they also contributed greatly in terms of leadership.
They gave head coach Andy Reid helpful advice in managing the team and they helped develop their younger teammates. They stepped up and challenged themselves and their teammates when games were on the line, while proving to be steadying influences and pillars of stability on the squad during times of change and controversy.
The Eagles have replaced Dawkins, Thomas and Runyan on the field with the acquisitions of Sean Jones, Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews. But who is going to replace them as leaders?
Leadership isn’t something that can be bought or assigned. A leader on an NFL team must first of all be a good football player. He doesn’t have to be a Pro Bowler, but he must be a solid contributor who is hard-working and consistent on Sundays.
It’s really simple — players watch what you do before they listen to what you say. If you consistently come up short or are struggling to keep your job, you can’t be a team leader.
