Was Super Bowl LII a Passing of the Torch?
April 2, 2018
Exactly two weeks ago, the Philadelphia Eagles won the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in their franchise’s history.
Don’t be surprised if it ends up being the first of several Super Bowl wins within the next few years.
For the last decade or so, the New England Patriots have always been in the mix. With their five rings and eight Super Bowl appearances, New England, led by Tom Brady and Bill Belicheck, has built a dynasty in the National Football League.
However, there are many facts that give reason to believe this dynasty is on the downfall. Tom Brady, as great as he looked throwing a record 505 yards in Super Bowl LII, is 41 years old. There is rising tension between owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belicheck that has resulted in rumors of Belicheck’s potential departure.
As they say, all great dynasties have to come to an end, making way for a new one.
That new one can be the Philadelphia Eagles.
The fact of the matter is that Philly has phenomenal players everywhere, on both sides of the ball. Many of whom will be back, for years to come.
Let’s start on the offensive side of the ball. It is clear that the Eagles have found a franchise quarterback with Carson Wentz. I don’t need to say much about him. The guy was an MVP candidate in his second year.
And the same guys who gave Wentz the protection that allowed him to have an MVP season are all under contract until at least 2020. Through the draft, they can also add more depth to the offensive line as insurance for those getting up there in age.
Philadelphia will also be bringing back key pieces at every skill position. Even if LeGarrette Blount walks this off season, they’ll have Jay Ajayi as their workhorse, at least for next year. Rookie UDFA Corey Clement, who’s signed until 2020, showed under the bright lights of the Super Bowl that he could become a star in this league.
Wentz’s favorite target and emerging top TE Zach Ertz recently signed an extension that will keep him in Philadelphia for another three years. Also in the receiving corps, Alshon Jeffrey just signed a four year extension and breakout slot receiver Nelson Agholor is under contract for the next two years.
Clearly, the Eagles’ offense will be loaded for quite sometime and the same goes on the defensive side of the ball.
All-Pro DT Fletcher Cox is signed until 2023 and beside him until at least 2022 is fellow DT Tim Jernigan. Saftey duo Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod along with second round pick CB Sidney Jones (who didn’t even play this year due to an injury that knocked him out of the first round of the draft) are all signed until 2021.
First round pick DE Derek Barnett and #1 corner Ronald Darby are under contact until 2020. And even though they’re free agents this year and next year, respectively, LB Nigel Bradham and DE Brandon Graham who made the play of the game in SBLII with a strip sack on Tom Brady will both likely be extended.
My point here is obvious. Philadelphia will have many of their core players from this year’s Super Bowl team for years to come. They will certainly have the talent to make it back multiple times within the next few years.
However, it’s not just the talent.
Philadelphia has found a head coaching gem in Doug Pederson. His scheme is creative, he’s an aggressive play caller and his players love him. They also have the PFWA Executive of the Year as their GM. Howie Roseman has shown that he’s capable of locking up young core players, adding inexpensive yet effective depth to the team and finding steals in the draft.
The Eagles have the players, coaching and front office to be one of the top teams in the NFL for awhile. New England seems to be on a downward trajectory which means it’s time for a new king. Philadelphia is certainly in a great position to take the crown from them.
Eagles fans everywhere should be excited to see what the future holds because as Doug Pederson told his team after winning Super Bowl LII:
“This is the new norm in Philadelphia.”
Mr. Mabey • Apr 5, 2018 at 2:28 pm
Oh Amir…..you force us to even appear to side with Mr. Z with this nonsense. Dynasty??? Please….not even a dynasty in the state of Pennsylvania. Act like you’ve been there before, oh wait………
Go Steelers!!!
Mr. Zeuschner • Apr 4, 2018 at 1:41 pm
Austin, I appreciate your overall agreement with my view about the Eaglets. I don’t understand why you had to take a shot at the GOAT. Let the jealousy and hatred go and embrace the sub-par performance of your teal and orange Fins.
Mr. Zeuschner • Apr 2, 2018 at 1:00 pm
Closer to “fake news” than fair and balanced. The author has an agenda and ignores several pertinent facts. Carson Wentz has had one good season; to anoint him a “franchise quarterback” is premature at best and reckless to say the least. Until Wentz performs with excellence for a sustained period he is nothing more than a young quarterback with a good season plus under his belt.
If the author is relying on the downfall of the Patriots, an organization that has dominated the NFL like no other in the free agent era, he is taking a big risk. The Patriots organization has weathered bigger storms than this off-season’s rumor mill. They are the class of the league until they prove otherwise.
Another misguided point made by the biased author is that he ignores how all of those great players will put a strain on the salary cap that the Eaglets are ill-prepared to sustain.
Finally, when Wentz has back to back mediocre games, the Philly fans will turn on him quicker than they booed Santa Claus or cheered Michael Irvin as he was wheeled out of their stadium on a backboard while wearing a neck brace.
The Eaglets won the Super Bowl. Congratulations. The competition in their division and conference has improved exponentially when compared to the minor moves the Eaglets made. THEY WILL NOT REPEAT!!!!!
Austin DeLillo • Apr 3, 2018 at 7:35 pm
Amir, as grateful as I am for you guys bringing down the super villains of the NFL. I’m going to have to agree with Mr.Z, and deny the claim that the Eagles are on the verge of a dynasty. As you stated, Carson was the MVP candidate, and most likely would have won, if healthy. Over the drama queen over in New England. Anyways, Eagles do have high quality players on both side of the ball, and expected to be good for the next few years. But with that much star power, money will be needed. Money is not on the Eagles side, and won’t be for a long time. Unless players start taking very generous pay cuts, I don’t see the success sustaining. Very good read!
Mr. Zeuschner • Apr 2, 2018 at 10:33 am
As biased an article as could be written. The fact is, the Super Bowl Champion Eagles will not repeat as champions. They are a poor game or two from a quarterback controversy. They will have salary cap problems. They had their time. Save those championship shirts: they will be collector’s items soon!