National Football League

Eagles are in Super Bowl or bust mode

Published Aug. 23, 2011 7:04 p.m. ET

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From the owner down to the interns, everyone associated with the Philadelphia Eagles has the same lofty expectation for this season.

''The only goal is to win the Super Bowl,'' team chairman Jeffrey Lurie said.

Anything less than hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February won't be considered a success. Not for a team that's made nine playoff appearances, won six division titles and played in five NFC championship games in the past 12 years.

Led by Michael Vick, the NFL Comeback Player of 2010, the Eagles have a dynamic offense. They've also got a revamped defense that features a star-studded secondary.

''We definitely have something special,'' Vick said.

The defending NFC East champions already were championship contenders before they went on a wild spending spree in free agency.

The Eagles acquired several big-name players, including six guys who've been to Pro Bowls. Cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (via trade), defensive end Jason Babin, quarterback Vince Young, running back Ronnie Brown, wide receiver Steve Smith and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins are among the newcomers with impressive resumes.

It was the biggest offseason splash the Eagles made since adding Terrell Owens and Jevon Kearse in 2004. They went to the Super Bowl that year, losing 24-21 to New England.

''Whatever it takes to try to get there, that's what we're going to do,'' team president Joe Banner said. ''I want the players to feel like that's the goal. If we fall short of that, then we didn't hit the goal. It's really that simple. I'm glad that the mindset is that we have a real shot to do that, and that's the goal. That's what we're shooting for. The expectations are high internally as well as externally, and I think that's a good place to be.''

High expectations are nothing new around here. Since coach Andy Reid turned the franchise around upon his arrival in 1999, the Eagles have consistently been among the best teams in the NFL. They've had eight double-digit win seasons in Reid's 12 years.

All that's missing is that elusive Super Bowl title.

''We always have high expectations every year and that's why we come into this,'' Reid said. ''And this is no different that way. We're coming in and we expect to win football games and that's how we go about it. There are people that will ask what do you think your record's going to be. You're coming in thinking that you're going to win and that's how you go about your business. So with that, the expectation is always high.''

It was an unusual training camp not just because of all the new players. The Eagles dealt with non-football related illnesses to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and defensive tackle Mike Patterson, who had a seizure during practice. Both players are healthy and have been cleared to play.

The Eagles have been knocked out of the playoffs in the first round two straight years after reaching the conference championship game in 2008.

''We don't need any internal motivation. We're obsessed,'' Lurie said.

Vick, coming off the best all-around season of his career, is surrounded by a talented group of skill players, including two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Running back LeSean McCoy, Maclin, tight end Brent Celek, Brown and Smith give Vick plenty of weapons.

Vick is the key, however. He came a long way last year, transforming himself from an exceptional athlete who happened to play quarterback into one of the top passers in the league. Vick still used his extraordinary scrambling ability when needed, but he proved he can sit back in the pocket and throw efficiently.

''Michael made a huge jump last year, and I'm referring to playing the quarterback position,'' offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. ''He's always been one of the great dynamic players in the game, but he made a big jump last year.''

The high-powered offense may not have to carry the load if the new-look defense plays to its potential. The defense underwent major changes, starting from the top. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was fired after two seasons and replaced by Juan Castillo, the longtime offensive line coach.

Castillo's promotion was a stunning move considering he coached on the other side of the ball for so long. But Castillo played linebacker in college and had experience coaching the defense in high school and college.

Other defensive assistants also were let go, and seven players who started at least one game are gone.

''Obviously we're talented,'' Asomugha said. ''It's laid out all over the place and everyone sees it, and the coaching is great here as well. So, we could be really special. I think we have a great opportunity to do some big things this year. But with those expectations, you have to put in a little more focus, so it may not be as easy as other people are expecting it to be. We still have a lot of work to do.''

It's a long road to the big game in Indianapolis, and the Eagles are desperate to get there.