Eagles Future: It’s A Matter Of Trust

Sep 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles free safety

(27) turns to run for a touchdown after intercepting the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi

Rather than start down the path of what this team does not do, nor what they can’t seem to make happen, lets focus on what the team CAN do:

(1)   This team can win games.

(2)   This team can get special play out of their special teams.

(3)   This team can get enough defense to win a game.   Yes, they don’t appear to be capable of shutting out their opponents, but they do seem like they can rise to the occasion.   Andrew Luck was held to 172 yards.

(4)    This team can get enough offense to win a game.  Yes, they can drop a bad game, but that’s football.  No team will go undefeated this year.

(5)   This team gets an early bye week, which is essential because they have two pro bowl caliber offensive linemen recovering from injury.

(6)    Eagles CAN pick good free agents.   Safety Malcolm Jenkins and running back Darren Sproles have already proven their worth to this team.  Multiple times.

The Birds have faced two good quarterbacks in the NFL so far in the young 2014 season:  Andrew Luck and Colin Kaepernick.   Both games were on the road, which is huge in the NFL.   Luck threw for 172 yards on this defense.  Kaepernick threw for 218 yards.   Neither had career days against us.  That’s enough to give us some hope.

In 2013, the Eagles were 1-3 at this point and the team was just decimated by Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.  At that point in time, the hope was that the Eagles would somehow stay close to .500.   Their pass defense was in tatters.   Their hope was gone.  The word from the coaching staff was “Trust us.”

“We got beat.” – Chip Kelly

So a year later, one loss has placed us back to that moment of truth.  Can this team live up to the expectations?   Can the Eagles win the home game against the Saint Louis Rams?  We’ll see.     But the Eagles have weathered part of the storm.   Next week, the team will see the long anticipated return of offensive tackle Lane Johnson. With that, Todd Herremans can return to the more familiar right guard position, restoring 40% of the Eagles starting offensive line.

It’s clear that there will be no “gimme’s” in the Eagles schedule this year.   But step back for a moment and take a deep breath.  If you knew the Eagles would have so many injuries and remain 3-1 after four games, would you be experiencing so much angst?   The team can get back on track at home for the next two weeks.   If the team can get to 5-1 going into the bye week, there is plenty of room for a magical year.

After all, all we can say about the Eagle’s future?   It’s a matter of trust.

I think that’s our answer.  Never count them out.