Vick thinking dynasty with Eagles, but that's OK

 

The Gold Standard.

The Dream Team.

The Dynasty.

We've heard the projections and proclamations here before. In 2003, Jeffrey Lurie labeled his franchise the "Gold Standard" following three straight playoff appearances and back-to-back NFC Championship losses. The Birds would return to the NFC title game that season and the next, but they reached only one Super Bowl.

Last year, the Eagles won the off-season championship by signing free agents Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Vince Young and Nnamdi Asomugha and acquiring Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, but Young's "Dream Team" label proved disastrous.

You'd think lessons would be learned, but elite athletes are confident to the core and that clearly led to Michael Vick's latest boast.

"When I look at our football team and what we have on paper, I think about when I was growing up and the great San Francisco 49er teams, the great Green Bay Packer teams, and the great Dallas Cowboy teams, how they just positioned themselves to compete and be one of the best teams out there," Vick said in an interview with CSN's Derrick Gunn on Tuesday. "I think we have a chance to be that. I think we have a chance to develop a dynasty."

Vick is talking about a dynasty. That means championships — multiple titles. Vick has played in only six playoff games (2-3 as a starter) and he hasn't even won a postseason game since the 2004 season. The Eagles haven't won a title since 1960.  How — or better yet why — is he throwing out more bulletin board material? Doesn't he know better?

And yet, I have absolutely no problem with it.

Lurie's "Gold Standard" comment was uttered by a man with deep pockets but no direct influence on wins and losses.

Young's “Dream Team” moniker was uttered by a backup quarterback who started three games last year. Everyone knew that if Young was going to have any influence on how the Eagles fared last season, the season would be doomed anyway.

But this year is different. If anyone is going to make a claim about a dynasty, I want it to be Vick. The 2012-13 season rests squarely on No. 7's shoulders. Vick has to play well — better than he’s ever played — if the Eagles are going to win and win big.

Then again, ask yourself this: What is the definition of “dynasty?” What’s Vick’s definition? Sure, Vick lists the 49ers, Packers and Cowboys and they all won 14 total Lombardi Trophies. However, many consider the Buffalo Bills to be a dynasty and they never won a title but did reach four straight Super Bowls in the 1990s. Are they a dynasty?

It’s been more than 50 years since the Eagles won a championship. I’m guessing just about everyone who reads this wasn’t even born then. We all know Philadelphia is due — long overdue — for a ring. Like it or not, the only way you’re going to get a parade is to have Michael Vick learn from past mistakes, take care of the football more, learn to slide and play confidently.

At least we know he's got the talking confidently part down to a science.

Neal Slotkin is a senior producer who covers the Eagles for Comcast SportsNet. Contact Neal at nslotkin@comcastsportsnet.com.