Communication is Key – Just Not in Philadelphia
“Communication is power. Those who have mastered its effective use can change their own experience of the world and the world’s experience of them. All behavior and feelings their roots in some form of communication.” – Tony Robbins
It’s good to talk; express yourself. Making sure you and those around you are on the same page. Communication is key, for lack of better terms. Unless the location of your job is 1 Novacare Way.
The Eagles have a communication problem. One that stems from not just from the players; like the offensive line unit that the team has seen trot out a different group in every game but one (although the group has played better than the eye would tell you).
This communication issue is part of a trickle-down effect, starting at the top with owner Jeffrey Lurie.
For years, Lurie was seen as the owner who viewed from a distance, allowing coaches and front office executives to rule their own kingdom with longevity as long as they did so consistently and cohesively. So to say it was a surprise to hear that it was a chance Lurie may have stepped in, in regards to the firing of Mike Groh and Carson Walsh would be an understatement.
Even more surprising? Just 24 hours prior head coach Doug Pederson had stated that the two would be returning to their roles this upcoming season.
“As I said yesterday, they were a big part of our success down the stretch this past season. This is one of the most difficult parts of the job and something that weighs on me, but ultimately I have to make decisions that I believe are in the best interest of the football team moving forward”
Said Pederson after regarding his initial statements.
Though many will refer back to the reports of ESPN’s Chris Mortensen from back in December 2019 stating, “the Eagles could make ‘significant’ changes to staff if the team doesn’t go on a significant playoff run.”
There began the speculation that Lurie had inserted himself into the equation making a football decision for Pederson before he could get the chance to himself.
Of course, should it really be a surprise given the fact that the initial hires of Frank Reich and Jim Schwartz weren’t done by Pederson in the first place?
Though Pederson has since denied the reports, the seeds of a cracked foundation had since been planted.
Photo: Bill Streicher/USA Today
Of course, when discussing a trickle-down effect, it’s worth acknowledging as they say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Well, generally when you see Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie that usually means general manager Howie Roseman isn’t too far behind. Roseman has been under a slew of criticism recently as a result of his underwhelming roster construction in recent years, and rightfully so. The regression of Roseman has impacted Philadelphia at an alarming rate. After two-tone setting seasons in 2016 and 2017, Roseman now watches a roster lacking depth and youth, while those once viewed as assets are depreciating rapidly.
And who could he blame? Once again the football team he oversees; the one he promised would be better in 2020, sits on the outside looking in of the playoffs with about a month of football left for the third time in three seasons. The head coach and quarterback that have bailed him out in recent years seem to be in a downward spiral, and that could also be contributed to him.
What else would you expect?
When reports say that your head coach doesn’t know who will be active on game day until you tell them the morning of, essentially ruining any hope of creating a stable game plan because between injuries and your malpractice he barely knows who is at his disposal.
And giving your ‘franchise’ quarterback a contract extension, showing your faith in him just to take a quarterback in the second round, and having the unmitigated gall to tell him this?
At some point the alarms should be sounding in Philadelphia, right?
Somehow it seems to get worse. If no one else in the organization seems to be on the same page, why would you expect that coach and quarterback would be either?
Honestly, can you think of any time in the history of sports when a star player has been pulled from a game without knowing he was being pulled from a game?
“I was just told he was going in for the next play and the next series, so I didn’t really know what was going on there. Obviously, it’s frustrating as a competitor. Just the personality I have, I want to be the guy out there, but it is what it is.” – Carson Wentz
Pederson didn’t make matters any better after he responded to the matter:
“I don’t feel like I need to communicate with anybody, players, other coaches. I think it’s just, again, my decision. The opportunity that I have moving forward. It will solely be up to me.”
Yes, you read that correctly. An NFL head coach said he doesn’t have to communicate decisions to his coaching staff or players. And to an extent, he’s right, as the head coach he can do whatever he wants. Though, in what world is it even remotely comprehensive to not communicate seasons changing and arguably franchise-altering decisions to the people that look to you for leadership?
While quarterback Carson Wentz hasn’t been provided the best circumstances, he isn’t completely faultless in these circumstances either. While players and fans both have broadcasted disapproval of the Wentz’s benching, there is no argument is play has warranted such. This leads us to the reports that surfaced about Wentz’s sloppy practice habits, accountability issues present in Philadelphia according to an unnamed offensive coordinator. Then of course the reports that Wentz wasn’t ‘universally’ liked around the Eagles locker room. Those reports stemmed from the players being split over Wentz and Foles, even after the latter had left town.
And while Wentz did his fair share of work to ‘win back the locker room’ with his strong end to the 2019 season. That work was completely undermined once the Eagles selected Jalen Hurts with the 53rd pick in the NFL Draft.
“We are not looking for Carson’s replacement,” proclaimed Roseman.
“I just wanted him to understand that we value the quarterback position extremely high here in Philadelphia, but at the same time, Carson understands and I wanted him to know that he is our starter. He’s the face of the Philadelphia Eagles. He is our franchise,” Pederson declared.
Yet for 11 weeks the Eagles unsuccessfully attempted to force ‘Hurts packages’ into game plans at the most inexplicable times. And once the change was finalized, well as we stated before who needs communication, right Doug Pederson?
What exactly is the message you’re trying to send here? The world may never know, but until the Eagles brass figures out if it’s possible to get everyone back on the same page or if it’s even worth attempting to, Philadelphia will continue to make the same mistakes that have plagued them recently.
“We communicate a lot throughout the week. We have our typical weekly meeting and cover a lot of ground. But that relationship is good.” – Pederson on his relationship with Lurie
With recent reports stating how both Pederson and Roseman seem to be safe for the foreseeable future, it will interesting to see how things play out.
Featured Image: Bill Streicher/USA Today
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:Eagles