Top five.
That's where many media outlets had the Eagles ranked in the league coming into 2019.
The trades for DeSean Jackson and Jordan Howard made Eagles fans salivate over the potential of the offense. The signing of Malik Jackson gave us dreams of a front four so dominant that no offensive line would be able to prevent at least five sacks per game.
The drafting of the left tackle of the future. The drafting of the running back and wide receiver of the future. Depth pieces through the rest of the draft.
It was all there for the Eagles to go on another Super Bowl run.
But then came the IR designations. Malik Jackson, Jordan Mailata, Corey Clement, Hassan Ridgeway, DeSean Jackson, Darren Sproles, Rudy Ford, Alshon Jeffery, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Ronald Darby, Daeshon Hall, and Brandon Brooks all placed on the IR throughout the season.
Lane Johnson and Jordan Howard out of the line up for four and six games, respectively.
Players leaving games, coming back hobbled. This is all a part of the NFL, but did it have to be this frequent?
But here we are. After a bumpy and bruising season, we're looking at a division champion and a third year in a row playoff team.
I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you:
To the "replacements"
Promoted then waived. Promoted then waived. Signed to practice squad then released. Rinse, repeat.
Notifications like this lit up the cell phones of Eagles fans nationwide. This was followed by groans you could hear over the Ben Franklin Bridge.
"They signed WHO?!" "Why is HE being signed and not HIM?!" "WHAT THE HELL HOWIE?!"
For the casual fan, these were the overwhelming responses to those moves.
For those of us who knew the team in and out, the response was largely "what was the team waiting for?"
To the players that came to the team through the 16 practice squad moves throughout the season: thank you.
You ignored the noise. You ignored the criticism. The deafening sounds of fans and media "experts" saying you're nobodies didn't phase you. You came to play. You came to ball out.
Boston Scott made history, and Greg Ward shined. Robert Davis and Deontay Burnett had some big catches, while Josh Perkins had a huge touchdown catch versus the Giants. Craig James overtook Sidney Jones in the early part of the season, and Ryan Lewis and Alex Ellis provided much-needed depth. Alex Singleton was a special teams monster (although I hoped all season to see him on defense). Bruce Hector provided much more than a stat sheet can show while Anthony Rush and Albert Huggins showed why their previous teams were wrong to let them off their practice squads. Marcus Epps went from Vikings practice squad to Eagles third safety.
For all of your hard work and dedication to making the Eagles great, thank you.
To the defense and special teams
We've had a rocky relationship. I've spent so much time and energy blaming you for the struggles. Wondering why you would waste such a great offensive drive only to give up points as soon as you got back out on the field.
But the fact of the matter is, no matter how many points or yards you gave up you still played your hearts out.
Fletch, you were an absolute mad man this season. You threw around that Seattle offensive line like rag dolls last week. BG, you continue to cement your legacy. From "bust" to indispensable, what kind of pressure could this line get on the quarterback without you?
To the other players on the defensive line, 154 quarterback pressures? Jeeeeeez. You guys loathed the quarterback. You pressured and hit them constantly, you may not have had the sack numbers you wanted but you were a force.
To the linebackers, another polarizing group of the season. Sure you could learn to wrap up a bit better, as there were many missed tackles on easy opportunities. But let's not discredit your season. A career-high in tackles for the white snake, Nathan Gerry. T.J. Edwards showing that he's a high-quality linebacker. Nigel Bradham showing he's alive. KGH, you suffered a disappointing end to the season, but I do hope you come back.
To Sidney Jones. I was SO excited to see you drafted. Defended your ability at every turn. To see you not play to your full potential and then get benched earlier this season was so heartbreaking, I gave up hope. But you came back strong, you proved all doubters wrong. You proved that you belong in the NFL and in the Eagles' plans.
To Malcolm, another perfect season?! Every snap for two years in a row?! A true iron man and leader. For all that you have done for the Eagles and the Philadelphia community, thank you. If this is the end of the road, as we all know your contract situation, thank you.
To the other members of the secondary, yeah I screamed at you. I threw things across the room when you gave up a huge play. My daughter might have woken up from some naps because of some cursing caused by a missed assignment. But that feisty attitude you all had this season is what an Eagles defender should have. That willingness to never back down from an opponent is just what this city needs.
To Ronald Darby, bye.
Jake Elliot, you've had some HUGE kicks, both good and bad. Despite all the negativity you've heard the last few weeks, you earned that extension and I'm excited to have the next David Akers on the team.
To Cam Johnston, Mr. Iron Leg. You've pinned the opponent back many, many times. You have made us feel better about losing Donnie Longball to retirement. We hope you are with us for your entire career.
Finally, Rick Lovato. We were enamored with Jon Dorenbos and questioned your arrival. But you have been a rock as the long snapper and Johnston and Elliot wouldn't be doing their thing without you.
To all of you, thank you.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Continued on the page below.
To the offensive line
The most elite line in the league. Don't @ me.
Brandon Brooks, first and foremost, you came back from an Achilles injury in eight months. Are you kidding? What kind of superhuman are you? You should've been an All-Pro. I'm sorry the voters are clueless. You've given everything to this team. We support your battles and appreciate your openness about them.
Lane Johnson, the heart and soul of the line. When you're gone, the line doesn't work. Your impact is shown when you're playing and when you're not. You and BB form a right side that isn't rivaled in the league.
Isaac Seumalo, the one who fooled us all. I mean that in a good fooling. Before the season started it was Isaac or Stefen? The team had put its faith in you with the extension, but fans still wondered is Wisniewski was the better option. You were abysmal in the first part of the year, but you grew into a monster in the second half. We look forward to your continued development.
Jason Kelce. Please don't say it's over. The best center in the league. You have been everything and more than a team needs in their center. Your leadership is unquestioned and your speeches are legendary. If this is it, thank you.
Jason Peters. Man let me tell ya, there have been MANY tweets and posts over the season that said "take a shot for every false start by Peters." Were you trying to kill us?! All jokes aside, you're a first-ballot Hall of Fame tackle. You've been the bodyguard for so many quarterbacks during your tenure here. We love you and appreciate all of your blindside protection over the years. We know you said you're not done playing, but if this is it, Dillard is going to have a tough time filling your shoes. World-class athlete and person. Thank you.
To the rest of the offensive line, you've stepped on when needed. Big V, if you wish to leave to start somewhere else we understand. Thank you all.
To the offensive skill positions
Miles Sanders. What a debut. You should be Rookie of the Year, but the voters won't appreciate you as we do. Record-setting player. Remarkable.
Zach Ertz. You played a playoff game with fractured ribs and a lacerated kidney. Do I really need to say more? Fans were pining for you to be traded for Jalen Ramsey. Stupid. You deserve every opportunity to be an Eagle for life.
Dallas Goedert. The 1-2 punch you've formed with Ertz has been remarkable. Your growth this season has been tremendous and it was great to see you step up when 86 was out. Your time is coming.
DeSean Jackson. Your return was short and very, very sweet and it kept us wanting for more. We cannot wait for week one to come next season when you can continue to show us what you mean to this offense.
Alshon Jeffery. hank you for your contributions to this team over the course of your Eagles career. You've stepped up in big spots and have shown us what a WR1 should look like, at times. This looks like the end of the line for your time in Philadelphia, unfortunately. But we will always be appreciative of you. Unless it comes out that you're the source to Josina Anderson, then screw you.
Nelson Agholor. Thank you for 2017. Best of luck elsewhere.
To Darren Sproles, your achievements and impact on this team have been extraordinary. We wish you all the best in your retirement and we can't wait to see your induction into the Hall of Fame.
To JJAW, I have faith in you. Block out the noise and come back strong in 2020.
To the skill position players who came and went, thank you for your service.
To Carson
They said you couldn't stay healthy. They said you couldn't lead a fourth-quarter comeback. No playoffs for the Eagles, Foles isn't there!
You shut everyone up. First Eagles quarterback ever with 4,000 yards in a season. Next season you'll move into fourth on the all-time passing touchdowns list for the Eagles. 97 touchdowns and only 35 interceptions is insane.
You kept battling no matter who was in your backfield or lined up at receiver. Whomever was in the huddle with you, you embraced them. ou ended the silly argument about should your old back up have been the starter.
You shrugged off the "anonymous sources", the Orlando Scandrick "lightning in a bottle" comment, all of the media "experts" doubting you. Nothing brought you down.
It's extremely unfortunate that your season ended with a dirty hit. Now every Wentz hater is doubting you again. But that's just fine, you'll prove them wrong again in 2020. Thank you for being the franchise QB.
To the assistant coaches
For all of the time and effort you gave to this team, thank you. We've criticized you, Groh and Schwartz namely, but you stepped up when it mattered most. The game plans towards the end of the season, both offensively and defensively, weren't perfect, but they worked. You gained the players' trust and they performed for you. Some of you won't be with the team next year, and that's understandable, so thank you for everything.
To Doug
This team was done, finished, finito. You led these guys from the brink of destruction to the playoffs. Three playoff seasons in four seasons as head coach. I'm sure you've seen the "house GMs" calling for your firing many times this season, but that doesn't phase you. Why would it? You're a Super Bowl-winning coach. The only coach that can say that about the Philadelphia Eagles. You made believers out of non-believers. You made casual fans into diehard fans. The Philadelphia Eagles are your team and you are so appreciated in Philadelphia. Thank you for these four years, we look forward to a decade more.
Again, to the entire team and staff, THANK YOU for such a fun, heart wrenching, exciting, depressing, roller coaster of a season. We love you and we can't wait for back to back NFC East titles and another Super Bowl run in 2020.
Fly Eagles Fly, forever.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
