Philadelphia Eagles: Why 'Dream Team' Label Is Warranted

The "dream team" label has, so far, been a nightmare for the Philadelphia Eagles.

From the ownership and management to the coaches and players, the name has been highly downplayed by the organization, with team President Joe Banner going as far as to call the term "scary." 

The widely spread nickname for this year's squad was all started by newly signed backup quarterback Vince Young early in training camp.

Although Young, with the team just a few days, is hardly a representative of the mindset of the team, the term stuck with the media. Philadelphia is now the "dream team."

Many competitors and analysts have been quick to dismiss the idea. They argue that although the Eagles have clearly gone all-in with the recent acquisitions of cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, offensive lineman Evan Mathis, defensive linemen Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins, running back Ronnie Brown and Young himself, a handful of players doesn't make a team elite.

But if the Birds were considered good last year, the new players undoubtedly make them great. After all, they won the division last year with a transitioning offense and inferior talent.

Additionally, they will be helped by their strength of schedule, which ranks right in the middle of the pack at 15th in the league. There are a handful of tough games against teams like New England Patriots and the New York Jets, but for the most part, the Eagles' schedule is nothing to be worried about.

Competition in the division should be minimal, the Dallas Cowboys being the biggest threat standing in the way from Andy Reid's seventh division title.

Outside the division, the Eagles biggest concerns are the defending champion Green Bay Packers, the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons.

But if the Eagles can manage to bring their new talent together and synchronize it with the system already in place, the rest of the conference will not look very intimidating.

This year, the Eagles will be the team everyone else wants to beat. They will be hated by other coaches, other players and other fans.

But, in Philadelphia, after over a decade of being just a step short of a championship, they finally have a group of players that create a genuine sense of hope for winning the city's long-awaited Super Bowl title.

If that doesn't make them a "dream team," nothing will.