Lightning delay can’t sap energy from ‘Championship Moment’ ceremony

PHILADELPHIA » A 45-minute lightning delay pushed the NFL’s season-opener between the Eagles and the Falcons to a 9:05 start Thursday night.

It also delayed the “Super Bowl Championship Moment” for the Eagles, which culminated with Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins stoking the fans up, owner Jeffrey Lurie hoisting the Lombardi Trophy and a banner reading “2017 WORLD CHAMPIONS” unfurled in the upper, upper deck at Lincoln Financial Field.

Then again, the occasion was more for the fans than the players. The lightning and rain kept the players indoors for the unveiling of the banner, if you will. That became clear when offensive tackle Lane Johnson was asked what emotions he saw the banner.

“I didn’t even see it,” offensive tackle Lane Johnson said. “I think we were in here. I didn’t see it all. I didn’t feel nothing. We were in here for the rain delay. Everybody was listening to the music. We missed it all. It’s a shame.”

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said later that the plan was for both teams to stay indoors through the ceremony.

The banner ceremony, at any rate, was much less gawdy than the Super Bowl LII ring rollout, when the socially conscious Eagles boasted of going “bigger and blingier” with the jewelery.

Each of the rings, according to the Eagles, bore 219 diamonds, 17 green sapphires and an underdog mask inside the band.

Former Eagles punter Donnie Jones and tight end Brent Celek were honorary captains during the ceremony.

••• The Eagles put wide receiver Mack Hollins on injured reserve, giving the Eagles eight weeks to decide if he can help them this season.

Teams can activate two players from IR after the lengthy wait. Tight end Richard Rodgers also is on IR.

Earlier in the week Pederson confirmed that Hollins, a situational receiver and special teams contributor, had sports hernia surgery and that this injury isn’t related.

Hollins was listed as out on the injury report.

Earlier this week the Eagles re-signed receiver Markus Wheaton, who they cut at the end of preseason.

If the Eagles want to be bold, they can bring Dez Bryant in for a workout. It wouldn’t be the first time they added a Cowboys talent.

Then again, Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) has a chance to play next week when the Eagles oppose the Buccaneers in Tampa.

Jeffery was scratched Thursday.

••• The Eagles also deactivated Carson Wentz, guard Chance Warmack, rookie offensive linemen Jordan Mailata and Matt Pryor, and rookie defensive end Josh Sweat.

Pederson was asked about a report stating Wentz would be out for several weeks. The coach has said all along he feels Wentz is close to returning to action.

“You know what, I’ve seen it but I’m going to investigate that a little bit more and see where and why and when that came out,” Pederson said. “But I’m not going to comment too much more on it.”

The Falcons scratched long-snapper Josh Harris, among others.

Jeff Overbaugh was promoted from the practice squad. He played in three games last season with the Vikings, including both of their playoff games, the last against the Eagles at the Linc.

••• The Eagles largely opened as four-point favorites.

The betting line at the opening kickoff was even in some circles, and in others the Falcons were favored by one point.

Earlier in the week the spread may have been impacted by Doug Pederson’s reluctance to name a starting quarterback.

It’s hardly a coincidence that the day after Pederson threatened to wait until 90 minutes before kickoff to announce the starter, he was eating his words.

Pederson’s hissy fit must have irritated gambling advocates the NFL has to negotiate with to get the biggest piece of the new pie it can.

The NFL could see its revenues increase by $2.3 billion a year due to sports gambling, per a Nielsen Sports study commissioned by the American Gaming Association.

••• All of the Eagles were on the field for the national anthem, including Malcolm Jenkins and Michael Bennett. They had stayed indoors during the ceremony in the preseason.

Jenkins previously raised a fist in an effort to bring attention to what he feels are social injustices.