2019-20 Yearbook: The Philadelphia Eagles Superlatives

Apr 10, 2020

Despite being your favorite athletes on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays, many tend to forget that the players are ordinary people too. People that once they leave the field, go back to living their ordinary lives just like you or me.

The Philadelphia Eagles locker room is made up of so many different types of personalities, all collectively bonded by one goal.

A goal that both players and fans reach a pinnacle of what seems to be of unimaginable proportions.

While that goal may not always be accomplished, what is developed in the process, is something that could never be taken away. Friendships, bonds, and a unity connected by the logo that we love and the colors that we bleed. What seems to be forgotten in all of this is while everyone is solely focused on the goal at hand, quite seldom do we take the time to realize that things change, people change, teams change, and players change.

As Malcolm Jenkins told us, “it’s a business.”

But that’s why we’re here today, in the midst of all that is going on in today’s world. With the pandemic of COVID-19 spreading worldwide bringing upon the cancellation of our sports, our jobs, events nationwide, and most importantly, school.

With all of this free time forced upon us, it gives us a chance to recognize the significance of what is going on around us. While doing so, it allows us to appreciate everything we have in life from the big things such as achievements and family, down to the little things such as your favorite athletes.

Which is why I present to you, a Philadelphia Eagles superlatives.

An opportunity to show appreciation to many of your favorite Philadelphia Eagles.

Best Hair: Jalen Mills

Talk about invested! When Jalen Mills was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft, he immediately made a statement. Not just on the field during training camp, but off the field as well. With the debut of the infamous green hair, Mills earned the nickname the Green Goblin.

When asked about the new look, Mills responded, “I kind of like it a little bit. I’m going to keep it for sure.”

Since that moment, Mills immediately embraced and stepped into the persona. The green hair, the infectious smile, the loud personality, and the notorious finger wag swag. Each of these traits has exemplified what Jalen Mills is.

The hair, however, has become a trademark of sorts. Just think about how during the Super Bowl season, Mills had fans all around the city modeling their hair after him. “I love it, I think it shows the commitment they have to this team…” said Mills when asked about the trend.

Recently Mills reemphasized how he planned to keep the hair for the long haul. There may be a new number and a new position, but it’s the same Green Goblin.

Mama There Goes That Man: Carson Wentz

I’m sure we all can collectively come to the agreement that 2017 was the most fun we’ve had as Eagles fans in… ever. Right? The most prized possession in the business, the oh-so elusive Lombardi trophy, finally found a home in Philadelphia. The underdogs were unleashed upon the league, and the immortal of Nick Foles was born.

What you gonna do brother, when the Folesamanics run wild on you? Said Nick Foles to Tom Brady… maybe?

Either way, lost in all of the 2017’s fame and glory was the story of a franchise or franchise quarterback. An MVP season caliber season washed away by the dreadful injury bug. However, while Foles was admirable in his time of service and the legend of BDN will never be forgotten. Lane Johnson said it best in 2018 upon the return of one Carson Wentz, “The Sheriff is back.”

Ole’ Reliable: Zach Ertz

Photo: —

Reliable (re-li-able) [adjective]: Consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted.

Synonyms: Zach Ertz, Dependable, Valid…

There’s a reason that Zach Ertz broke the record for most receptions in a single season by a tight end (116) back in 2018. We hear you “No YAC Zach” jokes, but there is no denying when a play needs to be made, 86 is your guy. Ertz currently ranks second in terms of Philadelphia’s all-time career receptions leaders (525). Only trailing Harold Carmichael by 64 receptions.

Whether it’s the first name defensive coordinator brings up when game-planning for the Eagles or the first player in Carson Wentz progression. Across the league, it’s widely understood that Zach Ertz is a difference-maker and a top-three player at his position.

POTUS: (Most Likely to Become President): Jason Kelce

I mean, have you seen the Parade down Broad Street? Do I even need any more of an explanation?

“IF YOU LOVE THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES LET ME GET A HELL YEAH!”

Jason Kelce, a man of the people, a motivator of men, an all-pro center, and the future President of the United States.

VOTE KELCE 2024! Sponsored by your friends here at PHLEaglesNation.

“I am the Best in the World at what I do”: Lane Johnson

Photo: Steve DelVecchio/Larry Brown Sports

Lane Johnson is the best right tackle in the NFL.

That’s it. That’s the post.

While Brandon Brooks and Jason Kelce each can make a legitimate argument as the best player at their respective positions, the level of consistency Johnson has maintained since being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft. To put it in perspective in Carson Wentz’s career, he has a 6-10 record without Johnson in the starting lineup, which was 3-10 prior to the run to end the season. According to Pro Football Focus’ recently released All-Decade team, Johnson was announced as the first-team right tackle.

Consistency is the reason the Eagles paid Johnson like a franchise-caliber left tackle with his six-year, $63 million-extension signed back in January 2016, and why he recently signed another four-year, $72 million extension, this past November. The deal made Johnson the highest-paid offensive lineman in the history of the league. This is understandable; the importance of Johnson to the Eagles offensive line cannot be understated.

Keeping Carson Wentz on his feet is the most important job in Philadelphia, and that all starts up front with Johnson, Brooks, and Kelce.

The Life of the Party: Brandon Graham

Fletcher Cox may be the most talented player on the Philadelphia Eagles defense, but the importance of Brandon Graham to that unit holds just as much value.

Graham is the heart and soul of the group, the person that brings the energy all day long. “Right before kickoff, he and I usually come together. He just tells me, ‘Hey, I got you today. We’re going to bring the juice, and we’re going to bring the energy.’ “Coach Pederson said about Graham in an interview back in November

Graham is so optimistic not just about his play but about the team as a whole. Always encouraging teammates, hyping up fans and personnel alike, Graham is just an infectious ball of energy. There’s a reason Graham is a captain, the recently departed Malcolm Jenkins spoke highly of Graham when asked last season.” You see guys that produce consistently, maintain their personality consistently over time… What it does on the field speaks for itself. I think his personality in the building and in the locker room adds a lot to the team…”

Graham is the definition of a team player and an important part of the locker room. While the loss of Malcolm Jenkins will be a tough hurdle to overcome, Brandon Graham will play a significant role in picking up the slack leadership wise.

To Freedom: (Most Likely to Breakout): Sidney Jones

In 2016 the Washington Huskies boasted one of the best secondaries in the nation. A room full of soon to be top 50 selections in their respective NFL drafts. A unit that included names like Budda Baker, Kevin King, and Taylor Rapp, This Huskies defense only allowed 182.9 passing yards per game, 0.9 passing touchdowns per game, and amassed 2.4 takeaways per game.

Yet despite all of the NFL talent previously mentioned that filled that Washington secondary, not one of those players filled the role of CB1. That job, ladies, and gentlemen, belonged to Sidney Jones IV. However, between an unfortunate Achilles injury during his pro day that cost him a vast majority of his rookie year, some confidence issues, more injuries, and bad performance. It seems as if Jones couldn’t catch a break.

So what makes Jones the most likely to breakout? Well, for a starter, it really can’t get much worst for Jones.

His first three seasons have been far from ideal, but the Eagles invested a high draft pick on him, so as Howie Roseman stated during a recent conference call “Its time for him to prove it.”‘

The good thing is Jones, and every other cornerback will benefit from the acquisition of Darius Slay. Jones will have an opportunity to solidify himself in the CB2 role this season, it’s up to him to take it.

The Two Best Friends That Anyone Could Have: Avonte Maddox & Dallas Goedert

These two are seemingly inseparable. The first two members of Philadelphia’s 2018 NFL draft class. The two share a common friend in Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neil. They also share a four-bedroom, 5,000-square-foot home.

Dallas Goedert explained how all this came to fruition, “So, last year we lived in an apartment building and after practice when we weren’t doing anything, weekends, I’d always go up to his room, or he would come to mine, and we figured might as well split rent and get something a little bit bigger and better.”

The two seem to get along really well in the home, well except for one thing. “…he’s always nagging on me to pick up my stuff, whether it’s shoes at the door, shoes in the living room. I may take off my shirt and leave it in the living room, and he’s always nagging me for that. It gets kind of old.” Says Goedert when asked about the living arrangement, which would make sense as Maddox jokingly referred to him as “messy, junk.” If the two ever have a disagreement? Well, they have a lot of Nerf guns and even more space to work it out.

“I guess we aren’t much different than when we were teenagers. Just doing our thing, having a good time. I know that Dallas will always have my back, and I will always have his, and that means a lot to me. We’re brothers. That’s never going to change.” – Avonte Maddox on Dallas Goedert

You Got the Juice Now: Miles Sanders

Photo: NBC Sports

Reporter: “Should we believe the hype?”

Boobie Miles: “What hype?”

Reporter: “The hype about Boobie Miles.”

Boobie Miles: “Now the hype is something that’s not for real. I’m all real.”

No, that wasn’t Miles Sanders. It was a scene from Friday Night Lights. However, honestly speaking, it couldn’t have been saying any better. When the Eagles drafted Miles Sanders in the second round of the last year’s NFL draft, there wasn’t one prospect the team selected that had more hype surround them heading into the season.

Despite some early hiccups, Sanders found ways to become a contributor. Then when Jordan Howard went down, it became the Miles Sanders show. “Run, Boobie, Run!” A trademark for his hoodies and on the field, Sanders became the Eagles’ most electrifying player down the stretch of the season. But the league knows what to expect now. The swing routes will see shaded coverage, the seam routes will see double coverage, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see eight in the box occasionally. It will be interesting to see the adjustments Sanders makes himself and what he has in store for an encore.

Mr. Philadelphia: DeSean Jackson

“Come back home,” said a security guard during a Redskins/Eagles game back in 2016. “We’ll see.”

Was the answer from DeSean Jackson. Well three years and two teams later, Jackson made his way back to the City of Brotherly Love.

See, Jackson is like the girlfriend that you never got over. You sit and reminisce and all of the great moments and ponder on where things went wrong. When DeSean Jackson was drafted by the Eagles with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft, it was a perfect fit. Not just because the Eagles needed a player to take the top off the defense, but because Jackson’s entire persona was built for Philadelphia. It wasn’t about the size of the dog in the fight, it was about the size of the fight in the dog. Big play after big play, I mean in his NFL debut Jackson scorched the Rams defense for 106 yards on six catches.

Not to mention a 60 yard put return to put the icing on the cake. Speaking of punt returns, the Miracle at the Meadowlands 2 could make the argument the most iconic moment of Jackson’s career. Good times I must say, sadly, good times don’t last forever.

Remember when I said you’re left to ponder what went wrong? Well, after Jackson was unceremoniously released (after a career season I might add), he took every opportunity possible to burn the Eagles.

In six career games against Philadelphia, Jackson averaged 94.8 yards per game (569 yards) on four receptions per game (24 catches).

Yet despite the assumed hostility, it was apparent that the Eagles and Jackson were destined to cross paths again. This is what made the return of the prodigal son so significant, it was an opportunity to pick up where they left off but on a fresh start. Prior to his release Jackson was arguably on track to become the greatest Eagles wide receiver ever. Jackson ranked fourth in receiving yards (6,117), ninth in receptions (356), and tied for ninth in touchdowns (32), all of this accomplished by the age of 27.

Many may question Jackson with him now being 33, but as Jackson said last season, “I’m 32, but I still feel like I’m running and playing like I’m 26 years old. As long as I’m healthy… I was to end my career here.”

Featured Image: Philadelphia Eagles

Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Categorized:Eagles Unique Columns