Philadelphia, PA - If you’ve spent the last six months destroying all of your inherited furniture after Monday nights’ embarrassing 32–9 Eagles loss to the Buccaneers like the rest of the greater Delaware Valley, do not be troubled.
Why The Philadelphia Eagles Cannot Only Survive in 2024. But Also Thrive.
Sure, it’s been like a nightmare as the 10–1 Eagles (the NFC’s #1 seed at the time, and the early-season favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl yet again) would close out the first part of 2024 by going 1–6 and exiting the playoffs early in the Wildcard Round. And the depths of finality by going from the top seed in the conference to the number five seed, then being soundly defeated by number four seeded Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If you are a Philadelphian steeped in history, you’ve seen this story before on two other anniversaries. Sixty years ago was one that we would rather forget. Thirty years ago was not far behind.
The 1964 Philadelphia Phillies will forever be known in history for the colossal collapse or the “Philly Phold.” Phillies Manager Gene Mauch’s Phillies held a 6.5 game lead over the Cincinnati Reds with only 12 games remaining in the season. They would then lose ten games in a row. Mauch will forever be known for starting Phillies pitchers Jim Bunning and Chris Short with only two days rest during that stretch.
Mauch’s Phillies of 1964 will be forever be remembered as one of the greatest collapses that the MLB has ever seen.
The Eagles have also seen such a collapse.
The 1994 Philadelphia Eagles had a tremendous start including a home defeat of the 49ers, 40–8. An 17–7 win at home against the Arizona Cardinals had the Eagles at 7–2. The team would never win again in 1994. Finishing 7–9, it was Rich Kotite’s last season in Philadelphia.
Amid current speculation on the coordinator, coaching, and personnel changes, here is why the Philadelphia Eagles can turn around quickly to return to NFC Champion form. After all, this is the team that was one possession away from the Lombardi Trophy.
Pedigree — Just one year ago, this Eagles franchise was in the Super Bowl. Few in Philadelphia believe that granted one more offensive possession with adequate time on the clock that they would not have beaten the Chiefs. That nucleus is still at the Novacare Complex today.
About that Nucleus — It’s still one of the best in the NFL. Howie Roseman is one of the best GM’s in football. The Eagles have a tremendous talent evaluation staff, and a franchise quarterback in Jalen Hurts, one of the top offensive and defensive lines in football.
Draft Picks in April — The Eagles once again scored in the 2024 NFL Draft, earning a top draft grade from ESPN. With an already proven recent history of selecting excellent talent from some of the country’s top college programs such as Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma, the Eagles selected top college talent in almost every round including Clemson running back Will Shipley, Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean, and Houston Christian Linebacker Jalyx Hunt.
Young Talent — Speaking of the NFL Draft, the Eagles do have a plethora of young talent that either wasn’t on the field as the Eagles were behind in the latter portion of the season or were injured. Sydney Brown, Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter, and Kelee Ringo should all be back next season.
Although certainly 1964 and 1994 seemed bad (and this collapse may seem worse,) avoid the urge to destroy the house. After all, it’s only 21 days until Training Camp. But who is counting?
Michael Thomas Leibrandt lives and works in Abington, PA.
