And the Eagles still finished 3-13 that year, the last for Ray Rhodes as their head coach.
The point is that, in the NFL, it really is about players and schemes, except when it is about schemes and players. Except in the most extreme cases, the rest of it is just stuff sports writers talk about.
So far, the discussion surrounding the budding disaster that is the 1-4 Eagles of this season has been centered on turnovers and on a defense where the players either aren't good enough or aren't a good match for the system or aren't being well-coached. That is as it should be.
Because the rest of it really is just something to talk about.
"There's plenty of leadership on this team, guys taking responsibility, guys getting other guys going," defensive end Jason Babin said. "You don't need some guy to motivate you. You don't need the guy next to you to motivate you. These guys, all across the board, are motivated to win and make plays."
When you ask Babin who a leader on the team might be, he immediately comes up with Cullen Jenkins' name. Jenkins is new to the team but he is a veteran player, and a good player, and his NFL story is one of persistence. Players are attracted to that, and Jenkins' personality is one where he comes across as exceedingly level-headed when he speaks.
You ask him about it, and Jenkins says leadership really is not an issue on this team that can neither stop the run nor hang on to the football.
"I think it's just talk," Jenkins said. He was seated in a stall in the Eagles' crowded, morose locker room after their 31-24 loss on Sunday to the Buffalo Bills. He was taking on all comers with microphones and notepads.
