Eagles owner feeling vindicated

PHILADELPHIA — In just his second year on the job, Doug Pederson was placed in some exclusive company by his boss after the Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl on Sunday might.

“There’s a lot of great coaches,” said Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, listing the names of Bill Belichick, Bill Walsh, Sean Payton and Tom Coughlin. "They all have their different styles, but the one common ground among them all is an absolute consistency and genuineness. And Doug Pederson is just himself.

“At times, that’s very humble, and at times, it’s just very real. At times, that’s very bright. At times, it’s tough. But he does it in a genuine way and I think players really respond to that in today’s world.”

Lurie, who admitted a mistake in firing Chip Kelly three years after hiring him out of Oregon, raised many an eyebrow when he then turned to the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator. After all, Pederson had never been a head coach above the high school level, and he wasn’t considered a top candidate to be one in the NFL.

It’s little wonder Lurie is feeling vindicated now.

After a 7-9 record in his rookie year, Pederson shrugged off the loss of four key players and led the Eagles to a 13-3 record. Then, without star quarterback Carson Wentz, he devised game plans to win two playoff games with back up Nick Foles. Against the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round, Foles was instructed to keep passes short and limit his mistakes.

In Sunday’s thumping of the Minnesota Vikes, Foles was unleashed. He responded with the best passing performance in Philadelphia’s playoff history.

Folks connected on 26 of 33 passes for 352 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.