Would it surprise you to learn it might be the Eagles?
Over the weekend, NFL Total Access posed the question, 'Which is the most-talented team in the league?' Dream team label aside, former journeyman fullback Heath Evans claims it's still the Birds. How could that be, you ask?
Let me give you the list of game-changing players, offense starting: Vick, McCoy, Jackson, Maclin, Celek, Jason Peters -- yes, injured, but listen. Defense: Nnamdi, Babin, Cole, Ryans -- now DeMeco Ryans, we can't talk about how huge of an addition that is -- Cullen Jenkins. There's just not many rosters where you can put the list together like this and say, 'These are players who strike fear in opposing players' hearts.'
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The most-talented team is a label many observers thought the Eagles carried into last season, and we all saw how that worked out. They are returning much of the same core, only with some notable additions, so if you felt that way a year ago, it's still plausible today. Former Patriots and Browns outside linebacker Willie McGinnest adds later that it's not all about talent though, and in doing so, maybe touches on part of the problem last season.
You can assemble a whole bunch of talent, we've seen it over the years, but unless the team plays together -- they can gel, they can co-exist amongst each other -- you have to have the right fit and the right personalities or you could put a great amount of talent together, and it will never work.
The Eagles, of course, signed a ton of free agents as training camp began last summer, many of whom did more harm than good. The theme for this offseason was building around the pieces that were already in place.
>> Video: Most talented team in the NFL [NFL.com]