The players are arriving at NovaCare Complex and are set to take the field for the first day of Eagles training camp on Monday.
The first day of camp is already a new beginning, marking the first day of preparation for the season to come. But for the Eagles, that takes on a new meaning with so many new faces around, none more important than head coach Doug Pederson.
Monday marks the dawn of a new era for the Eagles with Pederson at the helm. The last two seasons have been forgettable amid all the expectations that Chip Kelly brought to the franchise. What the 2016 brings is the turning of the page. The expectations are not nearly as high in 2016 as they were two seasons earlier when the Eagles were removed from a playoff appearance.
Despite lacking the experience of being a head coach, what Doug Pederson brings to Eagles camp is hope for the future. Pederson's coaching staff has been assembled for the long haul, with a wealth of experience between offensive coordinator Frank Reich and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
In addition, once Howie Roseman regained control of the team's personnel operations, the roster was widely overhauled, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
The biggest addition in the offseason came on the offensive side of the ball and much like Pederson is meant to provide hope for the future, even if there isn't much of an expectation in 2016.
Carson Wentz gets to experience his first camp under that watchful eye of Pederson, Reich, quarterback coach John DeFilippo and two experienced quarterbacks in Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel. This camp is about learning for the rookie quarterback and gaining a comfort level with the pro style. He'll need it, especially if enough things happen to put Wentz on the field against long odds.
But even if Wentz doesn't see the field and Pederson's first season doesn't go overly well, the Eagles have at least placed some ground work for the future. Instead of going big and watching the season unfold to disappointment, they have taken a step back to allow development, both on the beginner level with Wentz in his first camp and Pederson in his ongoing growth as a head coach.
The 2016 season, as critical as it is to the current players on the team who believe there are playoff aspirations for the Eagles and to development of players like Wentz, is actually more vital for Pederson. The first-year coach has wet his feet with minicamp and OTAs, but the real journey begins here at training camp.
The window for head coaches to pick things up and show progress is slim, maybe three years at most. Pederson's first year is crucial because he will need the next two seasons just to show the improvement of himself as a coach and show that the team performs and buys into his system and receives his message.
Before today, all we had was talk, talk of hope and excitement about the new beginning to come. The new beginning is here and despite there being so many questions surrounding the team, at least now there will start to be some answers coming in.
Kevin Durso is an editor for Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
