Eagles Beat Redskins 34-10, Hope For Continuity Into Next Year
DeSean Jackson caught a 62-yard touchdown pass in what may have been his final game with the Eagles.
LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD, PHILADELPHIA, PA — After closing a disappointing season with four straight wins to finish 8-8, the Eagles expressed their desire to carry over the same personnel and coaches into next season. Philadelphia capped its season with a 34-10 blowout victory over Washington, with Michael Vick throwing for 335 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on 24-of-39 passing.
The most notable of Vick’s touchdown passes was a 62-yard completion to DeSean Jackson, for the wide receiver’s longest play of the season. The catch came in what could be DeSean Jackson’s last game as an Eagle. Jackson’s contract expires at the end of this season and he’s due for a big raise.
“I don’t know if I’m going to be here next year or not,” Jackson said. “It’s kind of out of my control, out of my power, so I hope that I’ll be here. These guys on this team and just the fans, it’s home for myself, so we’ll see how it plays.”
“I hope DeSean’s back,” said tight end Brent Celek. ”He’s a great asset to our team, what he does to defenses, I say it every week, he can take the top off of any defense and guys are scared of him. So I really think we need him, I hope he’s back and he’s a good teammate. I like the guy.”
Celek had a strong game himself, catching six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Not to be out done, Jeremy Maclin hauled in eight balls for 105 yards. The Eagles passing game was key as LeSean McCoy was unable to play due to a sprained ankle.
With the offseason officially underway for the Eagles, owner Jeffrey Lurie will need to make a decision about the future of Andy Reid. After a strong finish, all signs point to Reid returning, particularly in the eyes of his players.
“If Andy was gone? Yeah, that would surprise me completely,” said veteran right tackle Todd Herremans. “I don’t even think it’s an option, so that’s why it would surprise me.
“I don’t think the guys are thinking about it at all, I mean, we’re finishing strong. I think there’s some changes that need to be made, but I don’t get paid to think. I get paid to play.”
“I think Andy’s going to be back, I think he should be back, the guy is an amazing coach,” said Celek. ”I just think it’s tough when you don’t have an offseason, you’ve got a lot of new guys. Football is a team sport and you’ve got to come together as a team. I really feel like we’ve done that now in the second half of the season. We’ve just got to keep it going into next year.”
After that, it’s on to defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. While players were quick to make strong statements in support of Reid, their backing of Castillo was less fervent.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said safety Nate Allen. “That’s not my decision and regardless of who comes and goes we’re just going to keep playing and get it rolling for next year.”
All in all, though, the sentiment is that the Eagles strong finish gives them the strong belief that if they can maintain a lot of continuity, they can come back strong.
“Going into this offseason, I really think we have a really great group of guys that has a chance to be excellent,” said Herremans.
“We’re going to pick this thing up, and I think we showed that at the end of the year,” said Celek. ”We know it was too late, and we’re not happy about it, but coming into next season? It’s on.”
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