September 20, 2016
One of the most famous music reviews of all time occurred in 1974 when critic Jon Landau attended a concert at the Harvard Square Theater and famously wrote:
“I have seen the future of rock and roll and its name is Bruce Springsteen.”
Well, with absolutely no apologizing for plagiarizing – “We have seen the future of the Philadelphia Eagles and its name is Carson Wentz.”
Two weeks into his NFL career Carson Wentz is the Boss of the 2016 NFL Draft and surely the Boss of the Philadelphia Eagles offense. Technically, Wentz is from North Dakota, but it sure looks like in reality Wentz is straight out of Hollywood.
You could not come up with a better character to play quarterback in the NFL than Wentz. The script has it all from a small school in North Dakota to the Big Time in the NFL and a huge victory on Monday Night Football.
Two games into his NFL career, Wentz has two victories and no turnovers. Wentz has also turned into a national story and made fans of the Philadelphia Eagles start to think – why not us?
Why can’t it be true? Why can’t the Philadelphia Eagles have a franchise quarterback that will be the measuring stick for other teams in the NFL? Why can’t Carson Wentz be the example for other teams across the league?
Instead of hearing over and over again, he’s not on a level with Tom Brady; or Aaron Rodgers; or Peyton Manning, there could be a generation of fans asking why can’t they have a quarterback like Carson Wentz. There could be a generation of fans looking at Philadelphia as the standard for top quarterbacks.
Too early?
Well, you can certainly think that way, and you would have all the logical thinkers in the world on your side, not to mention all of the psychologically damaged football fans in Philadelphia. You might even try to hold that optimism until this coming Sunday when the biggest test of the season is likely to arrive in the form of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Not buying it.
There is no me-me-me to Wentz in what has turned into a remarkable start to his career. He appears to be a down-to-earth, aww-shucks, geese-huntin’, church-goin’, country kid who simply loves to play football.
From this side of the computer screen it says Wentz is the real deal. It seems illogical, but in the matter of less than a month Wentz has displayed all the qualities you want in a leader – he simply controls the game from the line of scrimmage, and he is the sort of player that makes his teammates want to compete at the highest level.
Both on and off the field, you could not ask more from Wentz. In a world where instant success tends to go to the head and turn people into braying donkeys, Wentz has maintained a sensible profile.
There is no me-me-me to Wentz in what has turned into a remarkable start to his career. He appears to be a down-to-earth, aww-shucks, geese-huntin’, church-goin’, country kid who simply loves to play football.
And he is a natural leader. All you have to do is watch him on the field, where he simply takes over the offense and then takes over the sidelines when he confers with his teammates.
For many Philadelphia sports fans, it is difficult to accept the concept that The Next One is for real. There have been so many false starts, that there is a natural resistance to accept the reality.
Much like an automobile has a “check engine” light, the mind of a Philadelphia sports fan, especially an Eagles fan has a “check optimism” light. But in this case, you forget about pumping the brakes.
In a matter of two games, Wentz has shown every indication that he is the truth. In the parlance of the players, he is a “baller” and we are all going to have a ball watching him get better and better.
There is a new Boss in town and his name is Carson Wentz.
