Concerns about the Eagles?
Got one. A little against the grain with it, too, apparently.
Ready for it? OK, here goes … actually worried that there isn’t a quarterback controversy at this point.
Yep, seriously.
The fact that the consensus out there, including among those making the personnel and playing-time decisions within the organization, is so predisposed to inserting Carson Wentz back into the starting lineup come hell or high water as soon as possible, well, it’s a bit unhinging.
What if he ain’t fully recovered from surgery?
What if he ain’t the same kind of player even if he is fully recovered?
What if – gasp – he ain’t as good as the guy who replaced him and led the Birds to a Super Bowl victory?
Yo, all of those are potential realities in this equation, and either of the first two could pair up with the third as things play out the rest of 2018, if not beyond.
That so many are so gung-ho about moving Nick Foles for any number of ridiculous compensation proposals screams one thing to me: You, the consensus, ain’t using your brain.
You’re hung up on hero worship. You’re so blinded by wanting to believe that Wentz is the greatest thing since sliced bread and that he’s the chosen one to take Philly’s NFL franchise to the chosen land that you’re actually oblivious to the reality that Foles already got it there five weeks ago.
The future, the “Wentz will be a star, an elite franchise quarterback, for the next 10, 12, 15 years” future is so embedded in your head that you fail to see how that can change in an instant – kinda like the 2017 season did the moment Wentz attempted to run it in for a score at the L.A. Coliseum back in December.
There are no guarantees that Wentz, from this point, will evolve into the end-all, be-all of everything midnight green and dominate the pay-for-play football landscape for the next decade.
The knee injury he suffered was severe, with two ligaments being torn. It’s more than likely that he will not be the make-something-outta-nothing magician when he returns, or at least be at the same jaw-dropping level with that – and, frankly, that is what set him apart.
Also, frankly, does anyone fit the profile of “having done so much and been recognized for so little” than Foles. Hmmm, let’s see, earns Super Bowl MVP. Gives epic performance in NFC championship game. Goes 5-1 as a starter this season. Posts 100 or better passer ratings in all four playoff games he’s been in. Sets franchise record for passer rating, and third-best all-time in the NFL during his 27-2 campaign.
But, ya know, that’s all just a fluke.
Really?!!
The most preposterous part of all this trade-Foles movement, following the veteran’s brilliant playoff run that actually saw him do exactly what people said he couldn’t, which was carry the team on his back to the title, is that those trying to push him out the door will question if Foles isn’t being given too much credit for what he did.
While forever stating, hey, let’s not forget about what Wentz did.
Forget?!! How the hell could anyone forget? Wentz is the most hyped and deified Philly athlete – by far – in my lifetime. His every move is depicted in glowing fashion, to the point where a teammate, let’s say, a receiver, saves an errant throw off Kid Ginger’s hand and isn’t even given a nod of appreciation. Nope, it’s all gotta go to Wentz, regardless of merit or reality.
Actually like Wentz. A lot. But this mass basing the entire future of the Eagles, immediate and long-term, around making sure he is “comfy” mentally and that no controversy – check that, no competition – can exist at the QB position anymore is just asinine.
Completely asinine.
So, yeah, a little concerned.
Justifiably.