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Eagles fans have accused me of becoming.
Perhaps after a decade of watching the ups and downs of this franchise, I can no longer see the forest behind the decaying leaves.
Or I could just be a realist, one who is making objective observations without the pangs of Super Bowl deprivation coursing through my
being.
As the Eagles start another season under coach Andy Reid with the first practice of training camp this morning at Lehigh, I just can't see how the 2008 campaign will end up being a successful one - at least not if challenging for and possibly winning Super Bowl XLIII is the ultimate goal, which it should be.
I know that with the signing of free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel, with quarterback Donovan McNabb as healthy as he has been since 2004, the Birds should be better than the 8-8 team that walked off the field on Dec. 30.
I just don't think that being
better than missing the playoffs
is good enough, given the circumstances in which this organization finds itself.
If McNabb, running back Brian Westbrook, safety Brian Dawkins, offensive tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas were all 5 years younger, I would be OK with the Eagles simply taking a step toward an anticipated string of playoff runs.
If Reid were in Year 3 or 4 of a 5-year Lombardi Trophy plan instead of starting Year 10, it would be encouraging to look at the
Eagles and say this is a team that's on the cusp of being a
serious contender.
But that isn't the case.
Given the Eagles' current
construction, the only acceptable expectation for this team in 2008 should be Super Bowl XLIII.
That is the only thing that should be acceptable when you have a veteran coach, veteran quarterback, veteran running back and veteran players in key positions of leadership.
It is an expectation based on
circumstance.
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