Like it or not, sometimes your rival knows what they’re doing.
The Philadelphia Eagles are no longer without a Lombardi Trophy. Last night, the team made history, coming out on top against Tom Brady, Bil Belichick, and the New England Patriots by a score of 41-33.
The win capped off an impressive season by the Eagles. They swept the Washington Redskins in NFC East play, consistently steam rolling opponents en route to a 13-3 finish.
When Carson Wentz was lost to injury in the latter weeks of the 2017 campaign, many counted out the Eagles as Super Bowl hopefuls. But now, here they are. At the top of the game.
It might not be what Washington Redskins fans want to hear, but there are several things they can learn from their division rivals. The modern Redskins are far from the glory days of old, but if they follow the blueprint enacted by their rival, then they will succeed, in due time.
No. 3 – Rebuilds don’t have to take decades
It wasn’t long ago, in 2015, that the Eagles were a team in turmoil.
Chip Kelly, after a brief and deceptive spell of respectability, was fired after an underwhelming 7-9 season. His personnel decisions handicapped the squad, and left them stuck with overpaid, declining players, like Ryan Mathews, Nolan Carroll, Marcus Smith II, and Cedric Thornton. Stranded in cap purgatory. With a roster overflowing with a talent deficiency.
In just two years, however, that has all changed. They ousted burdensome players and were careful in their acquisition of future contributors. They locked up players like Carson Wentz, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Jalen Mills, and Nathan Gerry through the draft, and picking up key assets like Corey Clement, Patrick Robinson, and Alshon Jeffery through free agency.
More from Riggo's Rag
- What will Emmanuel Forbes bring to the Washington Commanders?
- Highlighting the best Commanders 2023 NFL Draft betting props
- 3 late Commanders rumors drawing buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft
- 4 bold predictions for the Commanders 2023 NFL Draft
- Commanders News: Chase Young trade, draft day, CB riser and Sam Howell
Stacked onto the team’s returning core, this group of players formed a unit to be feared. And it only took two years.
The Washington Redskins, as much as some may elect to disagree, are relatively close to having this solid core in place. They’ve continued building through the trenches, albeit sporadically, but now, they have at least respectable starters in place. The offensive line is in need of little more than added depth, and with one more rotational starter on the defensive line, the Redskins’ front seven can become scary overnight.
If the Eagles have taught us anything with their miraculous 2017 season, it’s that there is no time limit for anything. And a major turnaround can happen quickly, as long as a team acts quickly.
No. 2 – Aggressive coaching is the only way to win
Jay Gruden has his strengths. But when it comes to coaching aggressive and playing aggressive, the Washington Redskins’ coach has some work to do.
That was evident when Doug Pederson went for it twice on fourth downs in the Super Bowl, and consistently pushed the limits of the New England Patriots. Where another coach might have sat on their lead against the greatest dynasty in professional football, Pederson pressed forward, never giving an inch. And with Nick Foles, of all quarterbacks.
That’s not to say that Nick Foles is a bad quarterback. He certainly proved on Sunday night that he can put a team on his back and win. But he was unproven, untested at this level, and yet, Pederson gave the game to him and told him to run with it.
That kind of confidence and resolve from a head coach is something the Washington Redskins have failed to find out of Jay Gruden on a consistent basis. The Redskins’ front man has his moments, and he shows in press conferences that he’s aware of what needs to happen. But in terms of enacting that drive on the sideline, Gruden still has room to grow.
No. 1 – Culture matters
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce said it best, with glistening eyes and a runny nose.
“The resiliency of this team is incredible… As the season went along, nobody gave us the inclination that we were the best team in the NFL… But the fact that we were able to overcome everything, and just keep moving forward… I can’t help but be a little bit emotional.”
"I've officially accomplished the best thing in this sport with a group of guys that mean the world to me."
— NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2018
An emotional Jason Kelce reflects on his journey in becoming a @SuperBowl champion. #FlyEaglesFly #SBLII https://t.co/rJ3F075x9P
The Eagles’ players could have clocked out when Carson Wentz went down. They could have sat down and decided “ah, well, the divisional round is good enough. We’ll get there next year.”
But they didn’t. They committed to the cause, and not only that, but they bought in. For the final weeks of the season, and the entire post-season, the Eagles’ players were fully invested in the all of the game, every game, and nothing but the game.
It helps to have a roster set up for success. But the Washington Redskins are not far from having that. It remains to be seen how many more times Bruce Allen will step in the team’s way, in that regard. But they were close to contention, and with draft picks like Montae Nicholson and Jonathan Allen, they’re only getting closer.
As we saw earlier, it doesn’t have to take decades to form a team into a contender. The Philadelphia Eagles only needed two years. Now, to have the same expectations for Bruce Allen is irrational, in a sense. But this is the NFL. Anything can happen. Anything.
Next: 3 cornerbacks for the Redskins to target in free agency
As long as the Washington Redskins buy into their ability to win, and as long as they make that their primary goal, their primary focus, week in and week out, then they have as good a chance as anyone to become the next league surprise.