Eagles “MVPs” This Past Decade: Are They Correct?!
Recently, Pro Football Focus released a list citing the “Most Valuable Philadelphia Eagles” over the past decade.
As usual, Eagles Twitter had plenty to say about the controversial picks.
This article will ultimately analyze the five players who made the list, and also evaluate some of the players that may have been snubbed of an MVP selection.
Carson Wentz
Well…there is not much surprise with the first selection. Over his four-year career, Wentz has led the Eagles to a combined record of 32-24 while throwing for 14,191 yards 97 TD passes, and 35 INT’s. Within that time frame Wentz has also led the Eagles on eight total game winning drives. These stats are exceptional considering Wentz has never had a 1,000-yard receiver or rusher.
Statistically, 2017 proved to have been Wentz’s best season. His 33 TD’s, 7 INT’s & 77.2 QBR in 13 games would have qualified the second-year player for league MVP if he would have remained healthy.
Just imagine Wentz’s numbers if he would have lasted the entire 2017 season.
Despite almost winning MVP in 2017, one could argue 2019 was actually Wentz’s best season. After an embarrassing 5-7 start to the season, Wentz rallied the injury-riddled Eagles to win four straight games against NFC East foes, en route to the team’s third postseason berth in three consecutive seasons. Wentz threw for a career high in yards (4,039) without having a single wide receiver eclipse 500 receiving yards…
Michael Vick
During a five-year tenure, Vick certainly had a ton of memorable moments in midnight green. After becoming the starting signal caller in 2010, Vick went on to post up 57 TD’s, 33 INT’s through the air, but only managed to lead the Birds to a 20-20 record in his 40 starts.
Vick became a much more polished passer under the wings of Andy Reid, but still relied on his prolific ability as a runner. In total, Vick ran for 1,998 yards and 15 TD’s as an Eagle. Watching Vick operate in the open field must have been scary sight for any NFL defender…
Remember the time Vick scored 6 TDs against the Redskins on Monday Night Football?
Vick will be remembered as a human highlight reel due to his insane athletic ability. Landing in Philly gave Vick a much deserved second chance, where the QB seized the opportunity and resurged his career as the most dynamic dual threat-QB of all-time.
Nick Foles
Foles was drafted by the Eagles as a third-round pick in 2012. After filling in for the aforementioned Vick, Foles had a decent amount of playing time and experience before becoming the teams full-time starter. 2013 marks Foles’s best season to date, as the Arizona alum threw for a record 27 TD’s to just 2 INT’s. Foles would finish his first stint in Philadelphia with 56 TD’s and 7 INT’s…
After a go-around with two separate team’s (and comptemplation of retirement) Foles returned to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 to presume the role of backup QB behind Carson Wentz…
The rest is history…literally
Upon his return to the city of brotherly love, the legend of Nick Foles began. After stepping in for an injured Wentz at the end of 2017, Foles started the final three games of the season. After two shaky performances, many counted the 2017 Eagles out. After squeaking by the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round, Foles went on to have two of the most memorable performances in playoff history.
Foles completed almost 73% of his passes for six TD’s to just one interception during the Eagles journey to the promised land. During Super Bowl 52, Foles won SB MVP for his improbable performance. The win also awarded the Philadelphia Eagles with their first Super Bowl Championship in franchise history.
Malcolm Jenkins
Jenkins has been the epitome of consistency since signing with the Birds in 2014. Upon his arrival to Philadelphia, Jenkins quickly established himself as the leader of the defense. Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz utilized Jenkins as a “Jack of all Trades”, allowing him to line up all over the field in the Eagles defensive scheme.
During a six-year span in Philly, Jenkins never missed a game.
Dating back to the 2017 postseason Jenkins has played every defensive snap, tallying the total to 2,420. Jenkins did not miss a defensive snap in two consecutive seasons…
In 96 starts, Jenkins intercepted 11 passes, 12 forced fumbles, and 515 total tackles. Jenk can also add 4 defensive scores to his impressive Eagles resume. During his tenure, Jenkins was also was a key contributor to the 2017 Super Bowl team.
Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz has established himself as the best receiving threat the Eagles have seen within the decade. Since 2013, Ertz has brought in 525 career receptions, 5,743 yards, and 35 TD’s. Interestingly enough, Ertz has hauled in passes from five different QB’s during his days in Philly.
Ertz has led the Birds in all receiving categories the past two seasons. In 2018, Ertz set the single season record for most catches by a Tight End in a single season in NFL History (116). He also played 92% of the team’s offensive snaps the same season.
Ertz is unquestionably a Top 3 TE in the game, and has certainly sketched his name in the Eagles Hall Of Fame.
Once again, these players were picked by Pro Football Focus; did they get it right?!
The decision-makers are not Die-Hard Eagles fans like the majority of us.
We all know that the NFL is a quarterback-driven league…there should not be much surprise that there are three QB’s on this list, all three of whom have played big time for the Birds within the decade.
It was surprising to only see one defensive player on the list. Additionally, there were no offensive lineman named to the MVP list either, which is a bit strange considering that the Birds have had a Top 5 O-line for the latter part of the decade.
Here are some “honorable mentions” that were probably considered, but ultimately did not crack the top 5.
- Jason Peters
- Jason Kelce
- Brandon Brooks
- Fletcher Cox
- Brandon Graham
Wildcard: LeSean McCoy
The players listed above have been crucial in carrying the team to success within the past ten years. A few players on the list have won “Eagles Team MVP” during the decade.
Pro Football Focus’s grades may not have been as subjective as some Eagles fans, but overall the list is not too bad.
Featured Image: ProFootballFocus/Twitter
Statistics: ProFootballReference.com
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