After capturing their first Super Bowl title following the 2017 season, the Philadelphia Eagles struggled to keep up momentum, posting back-to-back 9-7 campaigns earlier than a disappointing four-win season led to the departure of coach Doug Pederson. However this time round, although, Eagles legend Brandon Graham does not count on the workforce to endure an analogous decline as reigning champions.
Graham, one among 4 gamers to play for each Philadelphia Tremendous Bowl-winning groups, retired this past March. He spoke concerning the present roster on the “Thrilling Mics” podcast, hosted by Eagles defensive backs Cooper DeJean and Reed Blankenship.
“You understand what I like about what y’all acquired happening? Like, I do not suppose it should be no Tremendous Bowl hangover,” Graham said. “We did not have the identical sort of workforce that y’all acquired now. Like, y’all acquired a bunch of the blokes again.”
Eagles’ Quinyon Mitchell using this unique method to improve a major weakness from rookie year
Jeff Kerr
Whereas solely a handful of NFL teams have managed to win consecutive Tremendous Bowls — the Kansas City Chiefs being the latest to take action earlier than the Eagles stopped them from a three-peat — Philadelphia’s present roster may be uniquely positioned to keep away from the post-championship droop.
The Eagles preserve a powerful core on each side of the ball with quarterback Jalen Hurts, working again Saquon Barkley, extensive receiver A.J. Brown and tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata all returning on offense and defensive lineman Jalen Carter, linebacker Zack Baun and the younger secondary group of DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell and Blankenship on protection. With a deep roster of skilled gamers, Philadelphia may very well be constructed to maintain success relatively than fall sufferer to the standard championship hangover.
“We misplaced quite a lot of defensive guys, like Milton [Williams], them guys on the D-line, however I nonetheless really feel like there’s quite a lot of guys underneath them that is able to make their identify too,” Graham stated. “However the again finish, how y’all boys enjoying, after which linebackers. I imply, man, offense, all people’s nonetheless again. No person misplaced on the O-line. I really feel like it should be a great one.”
Graham additionally mirrored on a message Eagles coach Nick Sirianni delivered throughout a workforce assembly in June, telling gamers to “deal with reward like fragrance. Sniff it, do not drink it — it is poison.”
Graham echoed that mindset, emphasizing the significance of constant effort day-after-day. With new gamers becoming a member of the workforce, everyone seems to be watching how issues are performed, and it is the work in follow that in the end exhibits up on recreation day. He warned that if the Eagles aren’t pushing themselves in follow, it may very well be an indication of bother forward.