SUNBURY-ON-THAMES, England –- In the immediate wake of last Sunday's crushing foldup against the Carolina Panthers, in which the Eagles turned a 17-0 fourth-quarter lead into a loss, this trip loomed as a needless distraction.
The Eagles needed to buckle down and try to save their season, not sightsee, or worry about the pounds-to-dollars conversion rate.
But by the time the bleary-eyed players and coaches stumbled out of a trio of buses onto their practice field at the London Irish Rugby Football Club's Hazelwood training grounds Friday, the feeling had changed.
Maybe this jaunt to London for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars comes at a good time.