I knew it wouldn’t be long until the football itch came back. I can officially say that it’s back. As much as I love basketball, baseball, and hockey, it doesn’t compare to the love I have for Eagles and Penn State football.
Here we are, nearly two weeks away from training camp and my football itch is in full force. I wondered how long it would take for the itch to come back after the Eagles won the Super Bowl. To be honest, it was definitely delayed this year compared to years past. However, I knew it wouldn’t be long until the football itch came back. I can officially say that it’s back. As much as I love basketball, baseball, and hockey, it doesn’t compare to the love I have for Eagles and Penn State football.
A couple of things delayed my excitement up until recently. The Eagles finally winning the Super Bowl definitely played a huge part in that. The second, was Saquon Barkley being drafted to the Giants. The Giants drafting Saquon was a real punch in the gut. Saquon is such a great kid and I admired his game so much during his time at Penn State. It is going to absolutely suck watching him wear the uniform of a team I absolutely hate. My two favorite Penn Staters currently in the NFL play for the Cowboys(Sean Lee) and Giants. Riddle me that.
Speaking of Penn State, it feels great to finally be a perennial contender again. Even though last season didn’t end up as I hoped, my expectations are still just as high this year as they were last. Losing, Saquon, Gesicki, Hamilton, and offensive coordinator Joe Moorehead certainly stings. However, we have four and five-star recruits to replace those guys now. We also return Trace McSorely back from last year. Having Trace back will be a huge band-aid for an offense missing the aforementioned guys. A senior quarterback and an experienced offensive line will do wonders for a team that will have young talent breaking in at the skill positions.
As far as the Eagles go, my juices start to flow every time I see a video of Carson Wentz ahead of schedule. With so many players coming back from injury, I don’t see any reason why the Eagles can’t repeat as “Super Bowl Champions”. Going into the season as defending Champions, that’s reason enough to be excited going into the 2018 season.
