Eagles hatch new optimism in post-Owens season
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Andy Reid ferociously swatted away the annoying gnats circling his head while nonchalantly dismissing questions about Terrell Owens.
No T.O. means fewer problems and less drama for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles opened camp at Lehigh University on Thursday without the circus atmosphere that surrounded the team last season when Owens dominated headlines for his contract demands and petulant behavior.
“We’ve put behind the 2005 season. We have moved forward,” Reid said. “All the players feel that way. All the coaches feel that way. We’re ready to go. I don’t think we’re worried about what happened in 2005.”
The Eagles were a disaster on and off the field. After four consecutive appearances in the NFC championship game and a three-point loss in the Super Bowl, the Eagles went 6-10 and finished last in the NFC East.
Injuries to quarterback Donovan McNabb and several key starters were a major factor in Philadelphia’s struggles. The Owens’ saga only made matters worse.
Now that Owens is playing for Dallas after being released by the Eagles in March, it’s more peaceful and much quieter around the team. The helicopters that buzzed over practice fields are grounded, the media contingent has dwindled and everyone can focus on football.
“I was impressed the way they came in upbeat and positive,” Reid said, referring to the players’ attitudes when they arrived for the first minicamp in May.
Asked if he read Owens’ new book in which the star wide receiver mostly offers his side of two tumultuous seasons in Philadelphia, Reid said: “No, I was here.”
Subtracting Owens should help team chemistry, but the Eagles have plenty to work on in camp. The offense was futile, the defense was dreadful and special teams were lackluster.
With McNabb sidelined for seven games and Owens kicked off the team after seven games, the Eagles finished 19th in total yards, 18th in points and had the NFL’s fourth-worst rushing attack. They averaged 319.3 yards per game, including just 89.5 on the ground. In 2004 when they reached the Super Bowl, those averages were 351.1 and 102.4. They averaged 19.3 points per game, down from 24.1 in ‘04.
The defense allowed the fifth-most points (388) in the league and third highest in team history, and ranked in the bottom 10 in four other major categories, including 23rd in yards allowed (325.4 per game). In 2004, they were 10th in total yards and gave up 260 points, tied for second best in the league.
“I think everybody thinks they need to do a little better,” Reid said.
First-round pick Brodrick Bunkley, a defensive tackle expected to make an immediate impact, was the only player not to report when rookies and selected veterans arrived at camp.
The group will have short practices over the next three days until the rest of the team is due on Sunday night. The first full team practice is Tuesday.