Emotional intelligence became quite the buzz phrase for Eagles fans when Jeffrey Lurie uttered it at a press conference following the dismissal of Chip Kelly. MMQB's Jenny Vrentas asked Lurie about Kelly's replacement, Doug Pederson, and how well he is relating to his players through the first few weeks of spring practice.
"Doug is doing a great job," Lurie told Vrentas at last week's owners' meeting. "He is communicating great, respects everybody he is in communication with. The players, I think, really gravitate toward him, in a human way. In a real, human way, not just an employee-employer type of way. And that’s important. Players play for passion, they play with passion and they want passion and great interaction."
"Emotional intelligence" isn't exactly something Pederson has struggled with during his time in the NFL, both as a player and coach. Everyone he has encountered during his time in the league has had nothing but good things to say about the rookie coach, a far cry from the reviews of the often cold, polarizing Kelly.
But it's apparent the players are starting to bond with their new leader. Jordan Matthews, who was often viewed as a "Chip Kelly guy" during his first two seasons in the NFL told CSN Philly's Quick Slants on Tuesday that things seem much friendlier around the NovaCare Complex now that Pederson is in charge.
"The family atmosphere has definitely been there," Matthews explained. "Having a coach that’s played here, he understands what it’s like to be in these shoes, play in the city of Philadelphia and have these high expectations. He’s put us in a great environment these first few weeks."
A few weeks ago, we noted that Pederson could potentially be the weak link on this team. A rookie who is over-matched by the veterans, both on the coaching staff and on the roster, but instead he could be the emotional leader for this team desperate for a steady rock to lean on. With the amount of drama that has engulfed this team during the past few seasons, a calming, steady hand on the wheel could be exactly what this roster ordered.
The Pederson-Eagles relationship is still in the honeymoon stage and right now, every player will take his words for gospel. Zach Ertz criticizing his new coach's offensive scheme wouldn't make much sense for a guy fighting to prove to his coach that he is worth the huge contract extension he signed a few months ago.
Likewise, with exactly zero games under his belt as an NFL head coach, Pederson doesn't have a reputation or any tendencies that opponents can pick up on and render him ineffective as a play-caller and a schemer. There are three months separating Pederson from his first NFL game and for their own well being, there won't be any criticism coming from NovaCare regarding the head coach.
But for the time being, Lurie's and Matthews's sentiments paint the picture of a team ready to grow together into a Super Bowl contender.
And that unbridled positivity can only come from June football.
Tucker Bagley is a columnist for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @tbagley515.
