It’s summer. The hot, sweaty, sweltering days of summer that used to be filled with fun, meaningful Phillies baseball. But this year, and the last four too, this time of year has been saddled with a cavernous taint of baseball stink, and lo, we’re left to wonder what could be with the other three teams.

For the first time in a while, there’s some optimism.

The Eagles could, actually, be good. Carson Wentz should improve in his second year, the wide receiving corps is vasty improved, Pro Football Focus named the offensive line the best in football, and USA Today just ranked the Eagles’ defensive line the third best in the game.

Malcolm Jenkins thinks they could contend… for it all?

From Bleacher Report:

Is it ridiculous to think this could be Philadelphia’s year?

It would be tough, of course. The Eagles are in the same division as one of the most talented teams in the league, the Cowboys. They’d also have to pass the Packers and Falcons—a brutal mission but not an impossible one.

“Not crazy at all,” Jenkins said of the Eagles’ prospects of reaching the Super Bowl. “Our offense is better. Carson [Wentz] is better. Our defense is better. I think we’ve taken some big steps forward.”

OK, maybe a bit of a canned quote, but the optimism is there.

Now for the real bag-o-nuts: Joel Embiid speaking before the ESPY’s, where he was a presenter*:

And here’s video of CSNers debating whether Embiid should’ve said this. [INSERT EYE ROLL EMOJI]

Between Embiid going for the ship and Markelle Fultz telling anyone who will listen that he wants to win MVP, how could you not be at least somewhat enthused for fall sports? The Sixers aren’t winning the championship, and Fultz would be well on his way to a hall of fame career if he were to win MVP… but the Eagles can, at the very least, certainly contend for the division, and the Sixers will be highly entertaining, competitive, and FUN. For the first time since the 2014 Eagles season, we have something to play (and watch) for in this town. GIMME MY EGGPLANT: 🍆

*He’s played 31 games and he’s already the highest profile athlete this city has had since Donovan McNabb.