While many Eagles fans are lying prostrate in front of their Carson Wentz shrines, hoping the erstwhile starter returns to his MVP form after shredding two knee ligaments last season, others are patiently awaiting next weekend's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction of arguably the most beloved Eagle ever in Brian Dawkins.
And although Weapon X's playing days are over, there is another superhero rising through the Eagles' ranks at the NovaCare Complex.
Jay Ajayi's metallic silver, badass Mercedes CLS 550 looks like it's covered in stardust and just glided in from another planet, but what the Eagles need is a running back who can be otherworldly in a few particular areas: protecting a recovering Wentz, protecting the football and picking up chunks of yards to avoid obvious passing downs.
One of the things that made the Philly Special so spectacular in Super Bowl LII is that you didn't know it was coming. The Eagles did an incredible job last season of mixing up run and pass with the RPO, Wentz's mobility and having a bevy of experienced running backs to call on.
This season, LeGarrette Blount is in Detroit, Darren Sproles is bouncing back from a broken arm and torn ACL on the same play and Corey Clement has won more Super Bowls than games started, which leaves Ajayi and his shoulder-length dreadlocks to carry the majority of the workload.
The Londoner projects as the type of back who can be whatever the Eagles need this year, just two seasons removed from a 2016 Pro Bowl selection and career highs in carries (260), yards (1,272) and touchdowns (8) with the Dolphins.
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But what do you pay a 25-year-old with an injury history entering the last year of his rookie deal? Some would say nothing and let him walk. The Birds rode Blount's bruising style all the way to the 'ship on a one-year contract.
For Ajayi's part, he's made it clear that he's ready to cash in.
💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰 https://t.co/cbpsR7xX4h— Jay Ajayi (@JayTrain) July 24, 2018
Ajayi also joined super-agent Drew Rosenhaus' team last month who will likely help the Jay Train define his market and worth in this developing landscape of NFL running backs.
Another recent contract of note for Ajayi and his camp belongs to Penn State product Saquon Barkley. In the words of rapper 2 Chainz, Barkley can, "Valet park a Brinks truck," as the Giants threw $31.2 million in guaranteed money over four years at the rookie before his first NFL snap.
The Eagles are in a conundrum because if they want to keep Ajayi. They will need to pay him close to what he's worth, which could be more than anticipated if he plays motivated and stays healthy throughout the year.
With Clement as the only young, experienced back on the Eagles' depth chart, Ajayi and his Silver Surfer mobile could be cruising around South Philly for years to come.
In my head, I hope he's the kind of guy who would wear his ESPY's outfit while driving his sweet ride. The kind of boldness only a superhero can provide.
