Lurie’s desire for patience sad end to Eagles era
He went too far with his gold-standard declaration, and his vow of multiple Super Bowl championships elicited cackles. But, well, there was always something valuable in Jeffrey Lurie’s self-confidence, impatience and demands.
The regular declarations from the Eagles’ owner gave his players the idea that they were expected to win, gave the fans the comfort that the organization was ever plotting a parade route, and elevated his organization above some other franchises on its block that had been showing a greater tolerance for failure.
That’s why it was at least a cause for melancholy when the Eagles’ owner darn near channeled his inner Sam Hinkie last week in Arizona, where the NFL was holding its meetings.
“It takes a very patient, disciplined approach,” Lurie was quoted as saying. “Short-term solutions to get to 10-6.” He added, “You’ve got to draft well. You’ve got to have multiple drafts in a row, hopefully, where you’re surrounding that quarterback on all sides of the ball. That’s the formula. It’s not that complicated.”
And there it was, the four-
for-four surrender, the Eagles joining the Phillies, Flyers and 76ers in attempting to buy public forbearance as they slowly rebuild. End of an era.
Not that Lurie is fundamentally wrong. His view is that nothing could have been done without a franchise quarterback and that Carson Wentz needs years of experience and acquired draft assistance to become one.
“We’re more than one player away,” Lurie said. “We have a lot of holes.”
It was all kind of funny when Donovan McNabb was promising that the Eagles were about to “skyrocket”, or when Vince Young was declaring a “Dream Team,” or even years before Lurie’s arrival when Buddy Ryan was making faces at Tom
Landry.
But, well, that has been the Eagles’ way. And, just so Lurie knows, that other way hasn’t shown it can work, either.
• The Oakland Raiders will move to Las Vegas, where over-the-counter gambling on NFL games is available and encouraged. Odd, but wasn’t it the NFL that essentially blockaded New Jersey from allowing legalized sports gaming in casinos and racetracks, even though its citizens formally voted in favor of the idea?
If the NFL wants to grab whatever it can from taxpayers to help fund a $1.9 billion domed stadium in Vegas, fine. Do it. Run a sports book in the upper deck. Make it rain in the nightclubs. Install a baccarat pit in the locker room. Change the name of the franchise to the Rat Pack. Own the idea. It’s worth trillions.
But it’s one or the other.
Accept sports gaming. Or pretend it is evil. Because sneaking up and down Fremont Street after dark is not good business. It’s just creepy.
• The NFL is resisting an Eagles urge to return to Kelly green uniforms. Something about the helmets. Whatever. It’s just amazing that the league is more tolerant of a franchise changing locations than it is in one changing the color of its pants.
• You know what sounds like a fun time? Standing behind 199,999 other fans on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway during the upcoming NFL Draft, hoping to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars’ choice try on a hat and say he is happy to be there. Save me a spot. summer). ... I just had that experience being around everybody, learning from their systems and learning from guys.
“I talked to Ghost. He obviously wanted me to go there, but at the same time it’s what’s best for me and my future and it’s ultimately my decision. (But) it’s nice having around someone I know pretty well. He didn’t have to do much persuading.”
Despite having four returning centers next season in addition to natural center Jordan Weal being expected to re-sign with the club as a pending unrestricted free agent, Hextall indicated Vecchione would get a long look at the center spot.
“Obviously I’m a centerman ... that’s where my comfort zone is,” Vecchione said. “When you’re in the middle you have a lot more room to make some plays, but obviously at center comes a lot more responsibility in the D-zone.
“I’m really happy that they’re going to put me in at center. It’s that comfort level to stick with what I know best there.”
Vecchione scored 29 goals and tabbed 63 points as a Union College senior this season. He is the favorite for the Baker award, which will be issued April 7 in Chicago during the NCAA’s Frozen Four.
Vecchione is one of a small group of drafted or free agent Union players turning pro. Defenseman Nick DeSimone signed Thursday with the San Jose Sharks and Jeff Taylor with the team that drafted him, Pittsburgh.
But there’s one more Union guy who has announced he’s turning pro, and the Flyers may bid for him, too. That’s Spencer Foo, who played on Vecchione’s line at right wing.
“I couldn’t be happier for him,” Vecchione said of Foo. “He’s worked hard and he’s a tremendous hockey player. ... As for knowing what he’s going to be doing, I know he’ll wait for July 1. I haven’t talked to him much about that.”