Eagles Circle the Wagons in Buffalo

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Honestly, the more people who jump from the Philadelphia Eagles bandwagon, the better off this team probably is at this point.

Two of the biggest elements that have come back to haunt this club so far are perceptions and expectations -- the perception this was a "Dream Team" of sorts, and the Championship expectations that came along with that obnoxious label. Now that they are 1-3, the summer of free agent splashes a distant memory, all that's left is to play football.

Frankly, that's all football players should be doing.

There has been a massive shift in pressure away from the guys in pads, who are largely responsible for the dramatic errors that cost the Eagles three consecutive games. Instead the weight now rests squarely on the coaching staff and folks whose finger prints are all over this roster -- especially Juan Castillo, Andy Reid, and Howie Roseman.

Which is fine. One thing we've seen from this organization through the years is they are unwavering in the face of criticism. The men in charge will continue to work diligently toward solutions, while the media and fans continue banging the "Fire Reid" drum.

That's been our way over the past bunch of years.

Let's not forget who created the "Dream Team" moniker in the first place though: the players. Actually, it was Vince Young, but the way Pro Bowlers flocked to the nest intimated there was a belief that if you wanted to win a Super Bowl, sign in Philly.

In other words, it was another set of expectations that may have doomed the Eagles out of the gate: their own. They expected to win, expected to be in the race until the end. The postseason would come, because it usually does in Philadelphia, and because look at us! We've already won... on paper.

Michael Vick declared that was over with now, and for once, even those who doubt his sincerity have every reason to believe him. The losing is becoming embarrassing, not that it wasn't already, but if the individuals on this team have any pride at all, every person in that locker room should be able to dig deep and find some extra motivation to pull out of this.

And if you don't think motivation alone is enough to cover up the glaring holes that are still so prescient on the depth chart, that's fine too. The Eagles have done some of their best work when they were left for dead, their backs against the wall -- in '08, '06, and to a lesser degree, '03 -- long after many fans assumed they weren't going anywhere.

We're about to find out whether the 2011 iteration has that kind of character, or whether this season truly is spiraling out of control. Whatever the case, at least they should be loose, because those perceptions and expectations are long gone.

Notes

Jason Peters and Trent Cole are out today. King Dunlap takes Peters' place at left tackle. The Eagles' rotation at defensive end will be a little thin without Cole though -- Darryl Tapp and Juqua Parker return from injuries, but could still be slowed. Derek Landri was also brought back to replace Antonio Dixon, who went on injured reserve and was done for the year. Landri had a strong preseason, picking up two sacks. Danny Watkins makes his first NFL today at right guard.

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