When the Eagles made the announcement that they would be poaching Doug Pederson from Andy Reid’s staff in Kansas City, it really made me stop and contemplate.
My first reaction was one of respect for Jeffrey Lurie. Regardless of the outcome, this move sends a clear message to the members of the Eagles organization. That message is that Lurie is watching. And whether you like or dislike Lurie - that he respects and wants to repay the efforts of the team players who contributed to his success, both in the spotlight, and behind the scenes.
Pederson, a career backup, essentially saw action for just one season in his NFL career. For Philadelphia fans, this ranked as a season to forget. His opportunity arrived at a time when the team was disheveled. As the frontman for one of the worst teams in Eagles history, Pederson bore the brunt of criticism from the fans and the media. Although the team was lacking in most areas - Pederson did not perform well on the football field - leading the team to a 2-7 record and a 53% completion rate in 1999.
Fast forward to 2016, and Jeffrey Lurie has brought back this player to lead his franchise.
As a fan, it is difficult to dissociate Pederson with his time in the limelight in this city. To be sure, skepticism is the overriding sentiment of the fan base and the media.
In any other city, Pederson would not have this hurdle to overcome.
And that is where this becomes so interesting.
Does Jeffrey Lurie know something about Pederson that we don’t?
Was Pederson a huge hidden key to the success of Andy Reid’s tenure here?
Jeffrey Lurie has sent the entire franchise a message: Jeffrey Lurie remembers and repays the contribution of the team players who have built his organization.
If his players correctly interpret the message being sent by the fact that Doug Pederson is standing before them an NFL head coach, then 2016 is going to be interesting.
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