warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Philadelphia Eagles - The Not-So-Dream Team

Michael Katz |
October 12, 2011 | 12:14 p.m. PDT

Staff Writer

Michael Vick's team seems locked in a nightmare. (Wikimedia Commons)
Michael Vick's team seems locked in a nightmare. (Wikimedia Commons)
Dreams die quickly, don’t they Eagles fans?

Many thought that the Eagles’ offseason additions of star cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and defensive end Jason Babin would put them over the hump. Add in a new backup quarterback who was the third pick in the draft once-upon-a-time (Vince Young), a Pro-Bowl runningback (Ronnie Brown), and a solid defensive tackle (Cullen Jenkins), and there really did not seem to be a way that the Eagles would not make it to the NFC Championship game, much less not win the NFC East.

Well, it looks like money can’t buy you everything, especially wins.

The Eagles are currently 1-4 and are dead last in the NFC East.

Not only are the Giants and Cowboys ahead of them, but the Redskins, led by Rex Grossman, are leading the division.

Yes, it might seem like “Bizarro world,” but the Eagles lack of success really shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise.

Let’s look at the past few Super Bowl champions and take a quick glance at their rosters/key players:

2004- Patriots: Tom Brady, Deion Branch, Teddy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison

2005- Patriots: Tom Brady, Deion Branch, Teddy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Corey Dillon

2006-Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, Willie Parker, Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu, James Farrior

2007-Colts: Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Joseph Addai, Bob Sanders, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis

2008-Giants: Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, Antonio Pierce, Brandon Jacobs

2009-Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu

2010-Saints: Drew Brees, Darren Sharper, Marques Colston, Sedrick Ellis

2011-Packers: Aaron Rodgers, Tramon Williams, Nick Collins, Charles Woodson, Greg Jennings, Clay Matthews

What do all of these teams have in common?

They didn’t go on a spending spree to attain their key players.

With the exception of Corey Dillon and Darren Sharper, all of the players had been drafted by their respective teams or acquired a season or more before the Super Bowl run.
The “Dream Team” was assembled incorrectly; they tried too hard. They have put together a squad that looks great on paper but doesn’t know how to function as a team. They lack a leader; they lack continuity; they lack a coach who knows how to win.

Yes, it’s season one, but it sounds like it’s “Super Bowl or bust” for the Eagles.

Philly, get ready for a bust.

______________________

Reach Michael by email, or follow him on Twitter.

Best way to find more great content from Neon Tommy?

Or join our email list below to enjoy the weekly Neon Tommy News Highlights.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.