Much of what Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni preaches is the “connect” part of a team – among the players, the coaches, the entire organization – and everyone is involved. Going hand in hand with that is the idea that the veterans lead the way as a show of leadership and with the understanding that they’ve been around long enough to know that when the team has success, individual success follows.
As the Eagles have gotten younger in so many areas on the roster in the last few seasons, particularly the offense, the veterans have taken it upon themselves to lead the way in the current offseason program, and they have a message for those who haven’t been around long enough to absorb what is required to be a Philadelphia Eagle.
“Just showing them, man, let’s work. Work together. Let’s come together for one cause and that’s to win a championship,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “Whatever personal goals you have, you can still get that, but we all have to have the same mindset trying to make you better, just like I’ve got to be better.
“If we’re winning, we’re all winning. That’s pretty much the message. I just show the guys – because a lot of guys come to me asking ‘What got you here (13th season)?’ I’m like, ‘Working hard, working smart, talking to other guys who were older than me. Getting a regimen of things and just teaching them things as we go.’ Especially the new guys coming in. I can always tell how serious you are by, when it gets hard, are you folding or are you keep pushing? Right now, I love it. With the draft, I love the guys they got. Now, let’s see what kind of work ethic they’ve got.”
Everyone is talented in the NFL. Every team has great coaching. Many times the difference between winning and losing is how a team comes together and sacrifices for each other. Are players threatened when a team uses a high draft pick on a player, or acquires one in a trade? It happens around the league, you know. There are veterans who don’t extend a helping hand…