Philadelphia Eagles: Top 5 Moments of 2016

As 2016 comes to a close, the staff of Section 215 is looking back at the top five moments of the Philadelphia Eagles season.

The year started with what appeared to be the slowest and strangest hiring process. The Birds interviewed Duce Staley, Adam Gase, Ben McAdoo, Tom Coughlin, and Doug Pederson. For better or worse the Eagles brass decided to hire the Andy Reid disciple. Doug Pederson decided to bring on Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich and Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz. Pederson calls the shots on offense while Schwartz runs the defense.

The rest of the offseason leading up to the draft was interesting to say the least. Earlier this year Howie Roseman shipped Byron Maxwell, Kiko Alonso, and the 13th overall pick down to Miami in exchange for the 8th overall pick. Shortly after acquiring the 8th pick our GM sent that pick, a 2016 second round pick, a 2017 first rounder, and some change to Cleveland in exchange for the 2nd overall pick. With the second round pick the Eagles finally landed their future franchise quarterback, Carson Wentz.

The Eagles also sent starting running back, Demarco Murray, to the Tennessee Titans for a conditional fourth round pick.

Despite drafting Carson Wentz, the Eagles coaching staff decided they were going to start Sam Bradford going into the season and allow Wentz to develop on his own. This plan was thrown out the window when Teddy Bridgewater was declared out for the season. Roseman happily, I assume, sent Bradford to Minnesota in exchange for a first round pick and a conditional fourth round pick. Wentz was named the starter eight days before the season started and the rest is history.

The time leading up to the 2016 season was different than any other season in recent memory. With that being said, we look back to the top five moments of 2016.

Two Memorable Drives for Carson Wentz

Not many people can forget Carson Wentz’s first drive as the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback. The one where he led the Birds’ offense right down the field and capped it off with a touchdown strike to Jordan Matthews. It was the drive where every Eagles fan swore “This is our year” and started booking hotel rooms in Houston for the first weekend in February.

It was the first drive of the regular season and the Eagles shredded what everyone thought to be an improved Browns team for a touchdown. It was so impressive that Carson Wentz took command of his team just eight days after becoming the starting quarterback. Even more impressive that he bounced back after the lame preseason performance he had a month prior, which ended abruptly due to a rib injury.

Everyone saw what Wentz was capable of in the first three games of the season. The Eagles went 3-0 in the first three games, including a 34-3 rout of the current hottest team in the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Birds went 3-9 in the next twelve games, including five times Wentz could have lead a fourth quarter comeback drive but failed for one reason or another.

The second memorable drive came a few weeks ago when the Eagles traveled to Baltimore to play the Ravens. The Ravens had everything to play for, the Eagles had a one in a million shot of making the playoffs. The Ravens had a two possession lead with half the final quarter left to play.

With Baltimore knocking on the door of putting the game on ice, Joe Flacco threw an interception to Jordan Hicks. The Eagles drove down the field and kicked a field goal to make it a seven point game. The Eagles received the ball on their own 41 yard line with 1:39 left on the clock.

Carson Wentz finally ran the two minute drill to perfection and dove into the end zone with a few seconds left on the clock. Coach Pederson decided to go for two points and the win, I don’t blame him but that’s a different story, and failed.

The moral of the story is that Carson Wentz finally got the monkey off his back and showed that he had the ability to lead a fourth quarter comeback drive by any means necessary, even scrambling in for what could have been the game winning touchdown.

Those two drives that Carson Wentz illustrated were high points for Philadelphia Eagles fans of all ages.

Doug Pederson: A Familiar Face

Despite receiving only one interview for a head coaching position, Doug Pederson was the favorite for the Eagles job from the get-go. Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman were looking to rekindle the magic that Andy Reid had in the early 2000s, what better way to do so than finding the man Andy Reid always found room for on his team.

When “Big Red” moved from Green Bay to Philadelphia he brought Doug Pederson with him to be his starting quarterback and groom Donovan McNabb. Fast forward to 2009, Andy Reid brought Doug Pederson back to Philly to be the offensive quality control coordinator.

In 2010 Pederson was promoted from quality control to quarterbacks Coach. When Andy Reid was hired as the Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs he brought Pederson with him as his Offensive Coordinator.

The point is that the Philadelphia Eagles were out to bring back the magic that Andy Reid brought to this city. They wanted to have a Head Coach who called the shots and a defensive coordinator who runs an aggressive defense. Doug Pederson and Jim Schwartz were trying to imitate Andy Reid and Jim Schwartz.

Throughout the season we slowly but surely realized that Pederson is his own man. He was groomed by one of the most beloved coaches in Eagles’ history, but he stands alone. If anything he is more of what fans thought Chip Kelly was supposed to be. The fancy double reverse plays, the creative game planning, going for two, going for it on fourth down, etc.

Pederson even questioned some of his players effort after a loss to Cincinnati, something that Reid or Kelly rarely did, if at all. He managed to get the best of those players after a tough loss.

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Pederson is trying to find his niche as the Eagles Head Coach. His current identity is that he is a wildcard. For better or worse Pederson has been unpredictable. He showed that he isn’t afraid to go for two for the win, that he will go for it on fourth down sometimes, but punt in similar situations. He is still learning the ropes in his first year as a fulltime signal caller.

I’d be lying if I said I were excited when Doug Pederson was announced as the Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. I’d also be lying if I said I’m not excited to see what he will do in his second year. Doug showed he had so much potential in his first year, I can’t wait to see what he does in year two when he has a stable line and a legitimate threat on the outside.

Darren Sproles Sets a Record

Darren Sproles was drafted in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, the 130th overall pick. He is 33 years old and arguably the most explosive player on the Eagles roster. One of Chip Kelly’s better moves was trading a fourth rounder to New Orleans in exchange for the aging change of pace back/return specialist.

Since coming to Philadelphia back in 2014, Darren Sproles has given this city everything he can. Source: despite being one of the best return men in the league and tough matchup for defenses, he made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2014 under Chip Kelly. He made it again the following year.

He is currently tied with Desean Jackson for most punt return touchdowns in Philadelphia Eagles history. They each have four.

This season Darren Sproles was recognized by ESPN as being the first player in NFL History to have 30 rushing touchdowns, 20 receiving touchdowns, 1 punt return touchdown, and 1 kick return touchdown.

The Philadelphia Eagles Find Their Franchise Quarterback, Carson Wentz

This has to be the best moment of 2016 for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Birds have a promising homegrown quarterback for the first time since the days of Donovan McNabb.

Franchise quarterbacks are tough to find in the NFL. Every year there are players that don’t work out, for example Tim Couch. He was drafted first overall in 1999 over Donovan McNabb. McNabb has his number retired in Philly and Cleveland fans are still searching for a quality starting quarterback.

While it is still hard to say that Carson will be the guy for years to come, it’s just as hard to label him a bust. Wentz showed a lot this season. He clearly has the potential to be a great quarterback in this league, but he still showed he has a lot to learn. He had his fair share of ups and downs during his rookie season.

His high was being named the Offensive Rookie of the Month. He didn’t have one specific low point, but being the quarterback of a team that started 3-0 and losing nine of the next twelve games isn’t exactly ideal.

The most impressive thing about Wentz is his passion for the game paired with a high football IQ.  According to the coaches he is the first person at the Novocare Complex and the last person to leave. Any issues that he has mechanically will be worked out. His understanding of the game will only improve from here.

The upside is there for our young quarterback. He has all the tools, he’s just missing some playmakers. Jordan Matthews is a good receiver, not a great receiver. Zach Ertz has shown flashes that he can be a top 10 tight end in the league, but needs to be more consistent. Given a stronger run game and a better receiver to line up opposite Matthews and the Eagles will have a scary offense. This is also assuming the o-line is strong and stable.

Next: Rookie Wendell Smallwood Still Promising

These are things that the Eagles know they have to work on and things that will be addressed in free agency and the draft. The days of winning championships with a strong defense and a subpar quarterback are over, sorry Trent Dilfer.

The hard part is over for the Eagles, they have a quarterback they trust moving forward. Carson Wentz is absolutely the best thing to happen to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, he brings hope to our franchise and I cannot wait to see what he does in his sophomore campaign.