Eagles in the Hunt for NFL Stretch Run

The Eagles are 6-5 coming off their bye week and face a hot Cardinals’ team this Sunday. Arizona, winners of four straight, leave the warmth of the west coast to battle the rested green birds in chilly Lincoln Financial Field.
Chip Kelly’s team has managed to overcome the woefully poor drafts of recent years along with demoralizing free agent signings and odd coaching staff selections. It’s a lot to deal with for the first-year former Oregon football guru but he’s a football lifer with a creative approach to offensive football.
With the exception of receiver Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia has remained healthy considering the brutal game they play, including three contests in the first 11 days of the season.
Starting quarterback Michael Vick played well in the preseason to earn the job, but it was not unexpected when he grabbed the back of his leg while scrambling and then re-injured the limb when he returned too soon. Give credit to Nick Foles, a still very young signal caller with a calm demeanor and football intelligence that belies his years.
At 6-6, the former Arizona University quarterback can see the field well and rarely gets flustered in the face of large humans trying to dismantle his torso. His arm strength may be average, but his decision-making skills should improve as he gains experience. It is almost unfathomable that he has tossed 16 touchdowns without an interception.
Unlike the baseball team, which continues to sign aging veterans who will undoubtedly be injured or face diminished skills, the Eagles possess 20-something stars who give fans hope for resurgence.
Say the same for the Sixers, who may have finally drafted wisely in securing 6-6 point guard Michael Carter-Williams and the recuperating Nerlens Noel, a supposed athletic shot blocker waiting for his chance to shine. Along with some unattached raw free agents, the basketball team gives fans at a glimmer of hope that fortunes will turn around.
The Eagles offer that same hope with skill position players and athletes on the defensive side of the ball who are nowhere near realizing their full potential.
LeSean McCoy is a bona fide superstar with more moves than Elvis Presley on the Ed Sullivan Show. The former Pittsburgh collegian was an astute second round draft choice who can catch the football and make people miss. He could lead the NFL in rushing yards.
McCoy plays a brutal position and absorbs plenty of crushing blows. It is essential that back-ups Bryce Brown and Chris Polk are prepared to play. Brown has shown impressive running ability although he’s also demonstrated a tendency to fumble. Polk’s shoulders are injury prone, which has kept him from showcasing his skills.
Losing Maclin opened an opportunity for former Tim Tebow pal Riley Cooper. Riley is still working to overcome racist language he shouted during a drunken outburst at a summer concert. The cell-phone recorded incident threatened to split the locker room and served as Kelly’s first true test as a professional head coach.
Fortunately for Riley, cooler heads prevailed and Kelly made all the right comments in addressing the situation while established team leaders, including the vastly matured Vick, took the high road in their public statements. Foles became familiar with Riley’s skills when the pair practiced together as second teamers. Riley’s big body and decent speed provide tempting possibilities. Foles has given the former Florida star opportunities to go up and make plays.
Stanford tight end Zach Ertz wasn’t supposed to be there in the second round when the Eagles made their selection. They couldn’t pass up the former Stanford Cardinal and now, less than a dozen games into his professional tenure, Ertz is showing signs of being the real deal.
Foles spreads the ball around and that has kept Desean Jackson from making negative news. Jackson is a speedster feared in the open field. He’s going to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards and should score more touchdowns since Foles isn’t afraid to throw the ball deep.
Kelly’s arrival and the presence of offensive weapons like McCoy and Jackson gave most followers the idea that the Eagles would score points. The assumed problem was a porous defense and the lack of an impressive resume for new coordinator Billy Davis.
While this group gives up considerable yardage, they’ve been shutting teams down in the red zone and gaining confidence. Once again, young players such as former top pick Fletcher Cox and undrafted Cedric Thornton are giving the team impressive performances on the all-important defensive front.
DeMeco Ryans, acquired last season in a trade, is living up to the demands of the middle linebacker position. He has bolstered run and pass support, vital for his position.
Many teams are in contention and rational followers know the Birds won’t make much noise in the post season if they manage to make it, but at least their performance offers hope.
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net