Eagles special, but how special?
Updated: 2011-09-07 07:43
(China Daily)
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PHILADELPHIA - From the owner down to the interns, everyone associated with the Philadelphia Eagles has the same lofty expectation for this season.
"The only goal is to win the Super Bowl," team chairman Jeffrey Lurie said.
Anything less than hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February won't be considered a success. Not for a team that's made nine playoff appearances, won six division titles and played in five NFC championship games in the past 12 years.
Led by Michael Vick, the NFL Comeback Player of 2010, the Eagles have a dynamic offense. They've also got a revamped defense that features a star-studded secondary.
"We definitely have something special," Vick said.
The defending NFC East champions already were championship contenders before they went on a wild spending spree in free agency.
The Eagles acquired several big-name players, including six guys who've been to Pro Bowls. Cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (via trade), defensive end Jason Babin, quarterback Vince Young, running back Ronnie Brown, wide receiver Steve Smith and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins are among the newcomers with impressive resumes.
It was the biggest offseason splash the Eagles made since adding Terrell Owens and Jevon Kearse in 2004.
"Whatever it takes to try to get there, that's what we're going to do," team president Joe Banner said. "I want the players to feel like that's the goal. If we fall short of that, then we didn't hit the goal. It's really that simple. I'm glad that the mindset is that we have a real shot to do that, and that's the goal. That's what we're shooting for. The expectations are high internally as well as externally, and I think that's a good place to be."
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