It is rare that the demands of a passionate fan base and those of a team front office completely align, especially in Philadelphia.
A Philadelphia Eagles fan is quick to recall yearly horror stories of watching two memorable tandems - Charles Johnson and Torrance Small, as well as James Thrash and Todd Pinkston - masquerade as starting wide receivers. Likewise in hindsight the team receives too little credit for its consistent success under Andy Reid, albeit success that has not consummated in a Super Bowl trophy.
The differences of opinion through the years serve to make the moments of harmony more appreciable and unexpected.
Entering the 2008 off-season, fans were unwilling to initially extend trust to the front office. Trust is to be earned. An uneventful off-season in which the biggest acquisitions come through the draft seemed all too easy to picture because that blueprint has a historical precedent.
While less than a week of free agency has passed, it is enough to bridge that gap of trust.
After acquiring the premier defensive free agent in Asante Samuel as well as a necessary edge-rusher in Chris Clemons (no need to rehash those signings further), the Eagles set their sights on offensive help.
Monday afternoon Philadelphia fans, newscasters, and radio hosts were all giddy – the Eagles were making a serious push for Randy Moss.
The front office threw caution to the wind and decided to take a calculated risk in signing arguably the #1 offensive weapon in the game last year. What fan would have any trouble getting behind that decision?
Randy Moss would mean several things. An off-season stamped by the acquisition of both the top offensive and defensive pieces available (not only available – two of the top in the game overall). The addition of scary offensive production - 98 receptions, 1,493 reception yards, and 23 touchdowns in 2007. A fired up McNabb, Westbrook, and Runyan. A season of Super Bowl potential.
As you now know, Randy Moss elected to stay in New England, choosing the intangibles over more money and more guarantees, the only bullets the Eagles could fire.
No question – it is unfortunate. What could have been!
But all is not lost. The Philadelphia fan base as a whole gains something from the Randy Moss pursuit. It gains faith that the team has its best interests in mind.
The Philadelphia Eagles clearly wanted their fans to know that they gave Moss their best effort. The attempt reveals that the team has identified wide receiver as a need after all. Randy Moss was the most dynamic resource available to fill that need. Going forward, expect the brain trust to move onto the next best option and so forth.
Should Randy Moss and others choose to go elsewhere, as long as there has been aggressive and honest pursuit, the Philadelphia fan base will mourn with as opposed to in spite of the team.
In 2008 at least, the front office sees the need for a shakeup, is willing to spend money, and is willing to take risks. Look forward to the next move; stop dreading the lack of one.
