I'm still not used to the idea that the Eagles are a team worth watching (at least compared to the rest of the league). It's amazing what can happen in just a couple of years.
The Eagles were growing progressively “whiter” at the tail of the Andy “Porky Pig” Reid era (2010-2012).
They drafted Reilly Cooper in 2010 and signed Chad Hall several months later.
In 2011, they transformed their habitually-black OL by drafting Danny Watkins, Julian Vandervelde, and Jason Kelce, then signing Evan Mathis. In the same season, they drafted Casey Matthews and they signed Colt Anderson, Derek Landri, and Jason Babin on defense.
In 2012, Reid's final season, they added more white OL in the form of Matt Kopa, Jake Scott, and the drafting of Dennis Kelly. They also drafted Nick Foles.
Of course, under Kelly, they’ve become arguably the most white-friendly team in the NFL, drafting Lane Johnson, Zach Ertz, Joe Kruger, and Matt Barkley, while signing Jason Phillips, Jeff Maehl, and James Casey in 2013.
In 2014, they allowed Vick to sign elsewhere, re-signed Reilly Cooper to a fair contract (5 years, $25 million), drafted Beau Allen and Taylor Hart, and signed Bryan Braman and Chris Maragos.
When comparing the Donovan McNabb-led Eagles, which usually started zero whites on defense (aside from LB Mark Simoneau and Stewart Bradley, who both briefly started at MLB), 1-2 whites at OL (Jon Runyan), a white FB (Jon Ritchie, Owen Schmitt), and nothing more. Of course, we all foldly remember WR Kevin Curtis’ 1,000-yard season with the squad in 2007…
CAPTION: Curtis Burns Lions for 11 Catches, 221 Yards, and 3 TD's
It’s been a remarkable transformation in Philly and I hope Kelly’s commitment to white athletes is rewarded with a deep playoff run in 2014-2015.