Is The Nick Sirianni Standard Any Better Than The Doug Pederson New Norm?
Doug Pederson proudly announced the “new norm” after Super Bowl LII. His tenure ended unceremoniously in a way that very few people expected. Nick Sirianni coached the Philadelphia Eagles to an appearance in Super Bowl LVII, but his constant harping on the “standard” already looks flawed.
Will Sirianni’s tenure in Philadelphia end differently than his predecessor’s?
Comparison on The John Kincade Show
Andrew DiCecco spoke on The John Kincade Show about an apparent freefall for the 2023 Eagles. He touched on an interesting comparison in franchise history.
“It reminds me of the 2018 Eagles, a team that entered the season with so much intrigue and optimism and talent, particularly on the veteran side (with) a lot of playmakers. For whatever, reason, they have not lived up to expectations. You’re starting to see a lot of breakdowns in areas which the team has prided themselves on, they’ve allocated a ton of money in… The two teams sort of mirror each other, and I see it heading in the same direction.” –Andrew DiCecco
The Eagles finished 9-7 in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019. Pederson led them to a 4-11-1 record in his final season in Philadelphia in 2020. His disagreements with Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman centered around the freedom to choose his coaching staff.
Pederson defended assistants like Mike Groh and Press Taylor when the front office wanted to go in other directions.
The situation looked eerily similar to the recent change made to the defensive staff, at least before Nick Sirianni took ownership of the decision to hand defensive play-calling to Matt Patricia instead of Sean Desai.
“I made the decision. I did what I thought I needed to do with the best interest of the football team. I feel like we made some adjustments there. I didn’t feel like we were playing well enough and coaching well enough on defense, so I made an adjustment. It was my decision.” -Nick Sirianni
Difference Between Nick Sirianni, Doug Pederson
The comparison aligns with the narrative of Howie Roseman in full control of organizational decision-making. However, revisit a quote from Geoff Mosher at 97.5 The Fanatic’s First Friday in September. Mosher spoke about the differences between the two most recent Eagles head coaches.
“First of all, he coaches his players. You see it. He also coaches his coaches. I think that was a big failure of the Doug Pederson era, the coddling of coaches, not wanting to move on…Doug, from what I was told… I think was a little too nice to his coaches.” –Geoff Mosher
The 2018 and 2019 Eagles showed some guts with December rallies to earn playoff berths in consecutive seasons. However, they also fell two games under .500 at points during both seasons. The 2023 Eagles haven’t performed to their talent level. However, they started 10-1. The record indicates a completely different tier of success.
They still sit near the top of the NFL. If Sirianni’s hard coaching holds up, the crucial disconnect between the head coach and the front office won’t resurface.
Nick Sirianni must push his team to match the greatest strength of the Doug Pederson teams. The 2017, 2018, and 2019 teams admirably responded to adversity late in the season. Sirianni’s Eagles have reached the crossroads in 2023. Will they avoid the fatal flaws that ended the Pederson era?
Deja Vu?
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) December 19, 2023
“It reminds me of the 2018 Eagles – a team that entered the season with so much talent and hopes – that just failed to reach expectations.”
- @AndrewDiCecco via @975JKShow
📸Steph Chambers/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/NzxmhmEhok
Watch The John Kincade Show on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.
The Philadelphia Eagles Lost: Here Are Some Coping Strategies
Go On A Walk
Exercise is always a good way to get any icky and unwanted emotions out. If the weather is okay, take the time to go out for a walk. Fresh air will always do you a world of good.
Hang Out With Friends
Try not to talk about the loss, of course. Or do, it may be cathartic to get it out. Being in the company of others helps you work out your emotions about the disappointing loss.
Focus Another Team This Week
The 76ers season is going on. The Flyers have hit the ice. Express your fandom for another team! It’s not the same, I know. And you may fear yet another disappointment. But it’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. Sixers and Flyers play multiple games a week. Life goes on.
Unplug
I personally shut the TV off as soon as the final second ticks off the clock. You don’t want to see another team celebrate your team’s loss, so don’t. Avoid social media. There are far too many trolls who love to argue. Avoid national sports analysis TV shows. They’re never on our side, anyway. Don’t go looking for Eagles content on social media. Don’t wallow in the bad vibes.
Eat Your Favorite Foods
Make today your cheat day. Who cares? Food is yummy. Food makes things better. Fill that Eagles-loss-sized hole in your heart with a cheeseburger or some pasta. There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to something that makes you happy. Go ahead. Get the milkshake after dinner.
Remember Good Times
It’s hard, right? But this is how we’ve felt before and will feel again. Losses happen! There will always be good times to balance out the bad. They have always happened and there are always more to come. They are a good team. We can’t help but love them. They have amazing personalities and are dang good at what they do. Don’t forget Super Bowl LII.
