The Eagles are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Dallas Cowboys that is still stinging both the fans and the players. I think we all knew the game could go either way, but none of us thought it would go as poorly as that disaster went. We still support the Eagles whenever they lose, but the way they lost this time was a major problem -- the team came out like they didn't want to be there. They looked so sluggish and lacking in heart, that there was no way they were going to overcome that initial 14-0 deficit. This leaves one to wonder what has been happening behind the scenes at the NovaCare Complex.
According to an after-game interview with OT Lane Johnson, he said the next team meeting was going to be a "call out session" stating that there were "little things that they let slide like being late to practice or late to meetings."
Honestly why were these things being let slide in the first place? That falls directly on the coaching staff. People don't like to admit it, but despite their age a lot of these NFL players can act like immature children, and they need to always be held accountable to keep them on track. The Eagles are no exception and this interview proves it. I don't see how Doug Pederson can go on the radio and say what he said about a guarantee and then let these things locker room issues go on. I'm not going to say how these players should be held accountable, that's on the coaches to figure out appropriate discipline. But when a child misbehaves, the child is punished, and these players need to be treated the same way if they are going to act like they're in elementary school.
This is do or die time for Pederson and the Eagles. The Birds need to fix this and get back on track for a playoff run or they are going to fall over and give up. I'm hoping for the former, but it lays in the hands of these boys who need to act like men by going and doing their jobs. I'm going to stay optimistic, but my guard is up for sure.
