The Philadelphia Eagles never asked for the "Dream Team" label. The doomed nickname was the product of an ill-fated riff from backup quarterback Vince Young on the heels of a free-agency shopping spree that colored the team as a Super Bowl contender.
The Eagles were nothing close to title-game material. With so many new faces on the roster in 2011, Philly was a work in progress: A troubled operation out of the gate that bottomed out at 4-8 before finding its rhythm and winning its final four games.
Running back LeSean McCoy & Co. have gathered this week for voluntary workouts with the goal of putting last season behind them.
"With the expectations, and us not only not meeting our goals, but not making the playoffs, we learned a lot," McCoy told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "I think it humbled us. With all the big-time players that we have, we really have to check ourselves and go into the season to prove ourselves. I really think all of the hype is out the window and it's a new year."
Shady isn't the only guy who feels this way. Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha echoed the sentiment during his recent visit to The Rich Eisen Podcast.
So where we with Philly?
Something we love:Michael Vick has made the most of his first full offseason as the team's starting quarterback. We learned Tuesday that Vick sat down with the coaching staff and studied every snap from last season in an attempt to cut down on his 18 turnovers (nine more than 2010). The lockout prevented this type of work last summer.
Something else we love: Philly's revamped linebacking group. This unit killed the team in 2011, but the DeMeco Ryans trade is a fit. The addition of Mychal Kendricks through the draft gives Philly the combine's fastest 'backer who will challenge for a starting role.
One more thing we love:Andy Reid's moxie. He walked through the fire last season. Amid whispers he might be done, Reid survived with his voice intact inside the organization. With one of the league's better offseasons under his belt, 2012 could be the payoff.
