Eagles Players Working Just Hard Enough Not to Get Fired?
Yes, Chip Kelly the GM didn’t have a great first year. He probably failed that class this year if we’re giving out grades. However, the problems with the Eagles started before this year’s offseason.
I can’t remember the last time that the Eagles had any real depth. Sure, this year they have depth at running back and defensive line, but that’s about it. There isn’t another position on this roster where the backups are any good. That’s a problem, particularly with a head coach who isn’t a fiery motivator.
It takes a certain individual to be driven by an inner motivation to win or be the best at your job. Those are usually Hall of Fame players, who have a drastically different mentality than your run-of-the-mill athlete.
As Peter Gibbons said in the film Office Space:
That’s my only real motivation is not to be hassled, that and the fear of losing my job. But you know, Bob, that will only make someone work just hard enough not to get fired.
The fear of getting fired/losing one’s job and a contract year are typically the real motivating factors for the majority of players. That’s just the way it is. We all want to believe they are motivated by a quest of championships or a Hall of Fame legacy, but most of them are just putting in a day’s work and trying to get paid. If a championship come along the way, great!
Talent trumps everything, however hard work and determination can often be a great equalizer. Unfortunately, the Eagles have shown neither of those qualities in the past couple of weeks. I think that’s because the talent on the Eagles is so thin that starters are only working hard enough not to lose their jobs and that’s not nearly good enough.
Are any of the starting secondary players worried about a backup taking their position? The Eagles don’t even have enough quality corners for a nickel package. Maragos is often on the field in the nickel so that Malcolm Jenkins can cover the slot receiver.
Is Riley Cooper worried about Miles Austin taking his starting spot? Agholor worried about Huff? Matthews about Ajirotutu? Allen Barbre worried about losing his gig to Taylor Hawkinson? Byron Maxwell scared of a competition with E.J. Biggers?
The depth on the Eagles is weak, at best. The starters are comfortable. There’s nothing worse than players that are comfortable with no position competitions.
The one bright spot has been the one player that has worked his way into the starting lineup, Jordan Hicks. He’s a motivated MFer and it showed every time he stepped onto the field. That guy wants a starting spot and an extension with starters money. His motivation and determination stands skyscrapers above the rest of the team this year.
The inability of the Eagles to draft effectively and consistently, as well as free agent misses is at the root of their problems. While it may look like defensive coordinators have figured out Chip Kelly’s offense, that’s a secondary issue. The lack of depth has created an environment where players seem to be going through the motions at times and they have no real reason not to. It’s not like anyone on the roster is going to take their jobs.
The team needs a real GM, not a college coach fancying himself a GM or a book-smart lawyer/accountant type. They need a proven football guy, as cliché as that sounds.