Eagles players cite problems with effort, leadership, and chemistry

By Zach Berman, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: January 01, 2013

Several Eagles players said Monday that a lack of effort, leadership, and chemistry in the locker room contributed to the team's worst season since 1998. Players hinted at the problems at times during the year, but they were more outspoken Monday.

When quarterback Michael Vick was asked whether it bothered him that players did not play as hard as he did, he did not hold back.

"Yes, it does," Vick told reporters. "I give 110 percent effort. Body scarred up all year, hurt, bruised, get up after every hit and still keep trying to fight and push. I do that for my coaches, I do that for my teammates. And I'd expect the same thing in return."

Vick said he tried to take a modest approach and lead by example because telling some things to players doesn't always work.

"I'm not going to tell a grown man twice," Vick said. "The reason I was incarcerated was that people told me the same thing over and over again and I didn't listen. If you don't learn the first go-around, then you're just disregarding. And you deal with the consequences."

The consequences were a losing season, with problems that went deeper than effort. Even general manager Howie Roseman acknowledged that chemistry was an issue on this team.

"I think the team unity probably wasn't there this year," receiver Jeremy Maclin said. "I think we have to respect each other. When you respect each other, you're more willing to play for that person or play for a purpose. I think the lack of respect that some guys had for other guys hurt us."

No names were mentioned, and not many more details were offered, but other players expressed similar sentiments.

"I'm talking about guys who've been in this league, who should understand how to be a pro, weren't acting that way. Period," Maclin said. That's all I'm going to say about it."

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