Those are the famous words Jeffrey Lurie uttered last summer, much to the chagrin of many Eagles fans. The owner's annual State of the Team Address can rub people the wrong way, and '09 shouldn't be any different. What irritating motto will be used in mockery of the franchise this season? Asked whether he would back up Joe Banner's statement that they have the best roster in the league:
We all feel confident, we have a very good roster... It's a collision sport. The way I look at it is it's great to have an excellent roster, which we have. It's really a sport of attrition, depth, and talent, and character.
Okay, that's not bad at all actually...
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Asked whether there is in an increase in urgency to win it all this year:
I can't imagine any increase in urgency [to win a championship] from year to year.
To be fair, Lurie explains the urgency is and has always been there, that everyone in the organization is "obsessed" with winning a championship. Still, we can see people taking issue with the thought anyway (which is why we bring it up), especially with the quarterback and head coach on the final two years of their contract. Speaking of Reid's contract situation...
The history of dealing with coaches and Andy, in particular, I've
never ever spoken about it. Even when we've had slow
starts, which we often do, everybody wants to talk about is Andy still
going to be the coach and blah, blah, blah. I never go there.
Everything will happen very privately and that's the way it has always
been. I think that's the reason why it has always worked so well.
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Fair enough. Lurie was diplomatic on all fronts and discussed a wide range of topics.
On Jim Johnson: Lurie said JJ will be added to the Eagles Honor Roll "very soon." "I think about him and his family every day. I know the team and the
organization is gearing up to both honor him and hopefully bring home a
championship to really honor him as well."
On Brian Dawkins: He wished him an excellent season in Denver, adding as long as he is the owner, no player will ever wear number 20.
On losing veterans this offseason: Lurie commented that while guys like Dawk, Thomas, and Runyan will be missed in a friendly sense, he added that it allows younger players to step up and become the next Dawkins or Thomas or Runyan.
On Joe Banner: I see nothing but positive with Joe. He's one of the top executives in sports. You're talking about a star in the NFL, and a star in sports.
On whether this is the best roster since he's been here: "It may well be."