PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Last spring, the Philadelphia Eagles had to do their team bonding through the power of technology. It is a different story in 2021.
The Eagles are in the middle of the first of their three weeks of off-season workouts in south Philadelphia. They are holding meetings and working out on the field.
Getting the chance to work together now will give the players a head start on what they need to do for the season, and players such as defensive tackle Fletcher Cox are happy to be back at the NovaCare Complex.
"We’re allowed in the building. This time last year, we weren’t," said Cox.
"Now, we get to really connect with all of the younger guys, all the free agents that have been brought in. We get to connect with those guys in person now, and not just on the video stream."
Connecting is something the coaching staff and the players seem to be doing well this week. After coming to an agreement on the schedule for the off-season work, the coaches are getting the chance to work with the players on the field for the first time.
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Offensive tackle Lane Johnson is back on the field after recovering from an ankle injury which sidelined him for most of the 2020 season. Johnson said Sirianni has made accountability a priority during this week's round of workouts.
"He holds everybody accountable," Johnson said.
"You go back through practices. He’ll pull up guys who are maybe not executing well, maybe not hustling well. He’ll call out veteran guys, whoever. I think that sends a message to really everybody from the top down."
There is also the matter of settling in with the new playbook.
For veterans who have worked with Doug Pederson over the past five years, they are on the same page as the rookies when it comes to a fresh start with Sirianni's system.
Running back Miles Sanders has been impressed with what he has seen this week.
"I love the whole offense and the way it’s being taught to us," said Sanders.
"Everybody’s learning the offense. The coaches are, too, and that’s what’s so cool about this whole situation right now. Everybody is literally learning the offense together."
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The new staff and the new system are part of what the Eagles are hoping will be a different team in 2021.
After finishing 4-11-1 a year ago, Johnson and his teammates are eager to move forward and get back into contention in the NFC East this season.
"Last year wasn’t a great year," Johnson said.
"Really from everybody in this building, we have a lot to prove to the city, a lot to prove to ourselves. We know where we stand and really moving forward, we’ve got that fire in our belly, and that’s where we need to be."