PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles were about to separate Monday, not planning to formally reunite until April. That gave Riley Cooper one last chance to do what any good offensive player will do. He read the situation.
“I could be standing in this locker room, with this group,” he said, “for the last time.”
Even if history, and if logic, and if the economics of pro football were not his guide, Cooper could have drawn that conclusion just by working the room, watching, listening, feeling the vibes.
There was Michael Vick in one corner saying how much he enjoyed being an Eagle, striving for perspective on a franchise and a city that revived his career at a time when that felt impossible.
There was DeSean Jackson in another, starting a campaign for a new contract even as he was bound by an old one, sounding a piercing warning of turbulence sometime before the next voluntary exercises.
And there was Jason Avant, his veteran’s instincts high, his gut sinking, plowing right into the past tense.
“Whatever happens,” he said, “I want Eagles fans to know that I had a ball.”
Changes. Then a different kind of ball.
That’s the pro-sports experience in brief. It’s never going to change. “It’s a business,” Avant said. And it is. But as the Eagles rolled out of a 10-6 season and into the second of Chip Kelly’s contracted-for five years, they had to have understood this truth, too, about that business: Offense sells. And they should do whatever they can to ensure they do not shatter theirs just because that is how it is usually done.
They just enjoyed the No. 2 offense in the NFL, behind only Peyton Manning and Denver. They had the NFL rushing leader, LeSean McCoy. Their offensive line was strong. Nick Foles had the top rating among regular quarterbacks.
That makes theirs an offense to preserve, not to scramble, not even with Cooper about to be a free agent and Avant waiting for the front office to pick up his 2014 option. Business is business, but it would be a mistake to tinker with something that worked so historically well in a division-championship season.
“That’s why I’m hoping that the Eagles come into play,” Cooper said, “and I’m here.”
Cooper is free to go, and he hinted that he will listen to recruiters. In the end, the Birds may have to choose whether to pay him or to use that money on free agent Jeremy Maclin, who will return from a knee injury. Cooper is bigger, just as fast, more athletic, a red-zone asset with magnetic hands and a clear comfort level with Foles. If not for his racially offensive offseason tantrum at a Linc concert, he would be a prized free agent. There will be plenty of franchises reluctant to invite that distraction, and that should suppress his value. Yet the Eagles and their fan base have come at least to a cool tolerance of the wide receiver, who has behaved since the episode and who could be re-signed without the topic flaring again.
Avant, too, has a value, even at 30, a young 30 he said. “I could play a long time,” he promised. “I don’t have any night life, so I am less worn down than others.” Later, Kelly would rave about Avant, saying that he has value as a blocker, insisting that he was an important factor in the Eagles leading the NFL in rushing.
Then there is Jackson, who barked out every signal that he will be an offseason pest, essentially demanding a new contract about 48 hours after not catching a pass in the first half of a two-point postseason loss. Howie Roseman has time to deal with that and cash to spend. He can be creative, keep Jackson happy and not bankrupt Jeffrey Lurie. Jackson is worth the trouble.
The Eagles must improve. They know that. So find a safety, a cornerback, a big body for the middle of the defensive line, a stronger kicker, some better backups. But leave that offense alone, all of it, the playmakers, the blockers. Because another like it will not come around soon.