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It was a game I believed that we could have won. I really wasn’t sure how the game would turn out even though I was confident that the Eagles could have won. Here’s what I had to say before the game.

The game was great for three quarters. For three quarters we dominated. It was very reminiscent of last year. Then, we found out who we are.

Erock really summed up my feelings after the game today.

 

Eagles Pride!

On Friday – Sunday at work we’re allowed to wear jerseys to show off our team pride. Since I don’t work on Sundays I always wear my Eagles jersey and jacket on Saturday. I was asked the very next Monday after the last game of the season why am I still wearing my Eagles gear. I simply replied “Because I’m not like a fake Dallas fan who shows up during the good times and gone when they lose”. Turns out the guy I said that to was a Dallas fan. Go figure right?

The point to that is I’m tired of always saying “there’s always next year”. I’ve said this numerous times. Because it’s true. We’re not far off though. I really feel like Chip will bring us a Super Bowl championship to Philly. He has that mojo.

We’re Philly fans though. We always have to find the need to criticize something. Anything. We absolutely loved his offense and the pace it was ran when he first came to the Eagles. Now, we’re critical. We were absolutely in love with Foles when he threw 7 TDs against Oakland calling him our franchise QB. Now people question if he’s that guy.

We’re fickle. Let’s face it. But we care deeply about this team. Every last one of us have that same exact desire. A Super Bowl ring! And no matter how you slice it, there’s nothing fickle about that.

So another year yet again where we wait until the next. And come July when training camp starts all of the headache and heartache from 2014 will be replaced with optimism and hope in 2015. And every single year we will stick out our chests with pride with our Eagles gear on display.

We’re real fans. We’re loyal fans. We’re fans that treat this team as if it were a family member. We go through the good and the bad together. We bleed green! And you will ALWAYS hear us chant…..

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!!!

There’s Always Next Year… Again!

Well folks, it’s over. Another season with high hopes just to end in disappointment. Three weeks ago we were sitting in the driver’s seat of our own destiny. And looking good while doing it too. 9-3 after a big win over Dallas on Thanksgiving day.

Then came the gauntlet of our schedule. Seattle came to town followed by a visit from the Cowboys just two weeks after that Thanksgiving day beating. Undefeated at the Linc. Things were looking good. Then Seattle happened. Followed by a pathetic performance against Dallas.

Those two losses put us in a situation where we had to rely on other teams. This week we had to beat Washington and rely on the Colts to beat Dallas to keep our chances at the playoffs alive. THEN we would have to beat the Giants next week and hope the Redskins beat the Cowboys in order for us to win the NFC East. Thanks to Dallas beating the Colts 42-7 today that ends all those dramatics for next week.

We’re done. Once again. And I’m frustrated. But I’ll save that for a later time. My mom told me we still had a good season. And I just simply replied “it’s not worth anything now if we aren’t even in the playoffs”.

Once again Eagles fans, there is always next year. Is that not getting old? I think it is. But regardless of my frustrations I still love this team. I still bleed green.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!!

Dallas Letdown

Ok Dallas fans, let’s hear you. Because you all are like crickets at night when you’re not winning. So come on out of the woodworks. And you all know exactly who you are.

As for the actual game, the Eagles faught hard to come back from being down 21-0. After that, they just went back to form when they went down by 21. The Eagles need to make upgrading the secondary 1st, 2nd, and 3rd priority this offseason. If not then I’ll start questioning Chip Kelly’s coaching abilities on this level. It’s obvious that defenses are catching up to his fast paced offense.

Regardless of all of that I’ll still bleed green. I love my team no matter what. Win lose or tie, I’m an Eagles fan till I die! #FlyEaglesFly

The Super Bowl Through An Eagles Fan’s Eye’s

Every year I anticipate the Super Bowl. It’s so much of a holiday. It’s huge. Families and friends gather to celebrate the biggest single day sporting event in North America. A day to celebrate the conclusion of America’s most popular sport’s season.

With all of that happiness and celebration comes the enormously huge void of not seeing my beloved Eagles playing in big game. In some ways it makes me jealous. In some ways it upsets me. But in more ways than any other it frustrates me.

I torture myself by watching other fans go nuts and celebrate winning the AFC and NFC championships and Super Bowl victories on youtube. And while watching those video’s all I think about is how ready I am to see Eagles fans celebrating in their homes, bars and in the streets. During my lifetime that happened once during the 2004 season. Only of course to be let down by losing Super Bowl XXXIX to the Patriots.

I remember during Super Bowl XLII, Patriots vs Giants pt 1, I was in a sports bar in Richmond, VA surrounded by Giants fans. Patriots fans held their own, but dominated by Giants fans. I sat at the bar and watched the game. At the end of the game when the Giants won they went nuts. I sat at the bar and lost it. I literally cried. Not because I was happy by the Giants winning by no means. But because the Giants are close to me in the sense of being a divisional rival. It hurt seeing my enemy win and all I could do is wonder when it was MY turn. When will MY Eagles lift that Lombardi?

I told myself I will never put myself in that position again. Being an Eagles fan has never been easy. But it will be worth it because I do honestly believe that I will live to see the day when the Eagles hoist that Lombardi. All of the frustration and tears will be worth it.

So while watching Super Bowl XLVII I will have a great time. I always love watching the Super Bowl. But like every other Super Bowl with the exception of Super Bowl XXXIX, I will have my moments during the game when I reflect and think about my Eagles and how much I wish I was watching them on the field instead. But nonetheless I will watch.

Fact is I am sick of being poked fun at by other fans. I’m sick of seeing pictures of Eagles fans with the heads in their hands and video’s showing so much disappointment during some bad times. I not only want that to change, but I NEED that to change.

And the old saying goes “there is always next season” has become very redundant. I think I can speak for all Eagles fans when I say I’m ready for next year to get here. I’m ready for the Eagles to lift that Lombardi and have that Super Bowl victory parade down Broad St. We have dealt with too much since 1960. We have suffered painful loss after loss. I have shed too many tears. We deserve a Super Bowl win DAMN IT.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

Super Bowl XLVII

The Super Bowl. The biggest day in a true sports fan’s life. And this year fans in San Francisco and Baltimore are on cloud nine. And can you blame them? Certainly not. And for fans of teams like my Eagles, to a certain degree, I envy them.

Usually every year I have at least one team in the Super Bowl that I have reason’s I want them to lose. But this year is unusual for me. I can’t seem to find one reason I would want either the Ravens or 49ers to lose.

I like the Ravens. I love their defense. I like their offense. Anquan Boldin and Ray Rice are my two favorite players on the offensive side of the ball. And I have a ton of respect for Torrey Smith. He lost his brother during the season and has had that weighing on him and has done nothing but perform at a high level. And then of course Ray Lewis. His last game.

Then there are the 49ers. I like them also. Again, another stingy defense and a high octane offense to match. I like Frank Gore and how he runs the ball. I would like to see Randy Moss finally get a ring. I think Colin Kaepernick is an amazing talent at QB. And even though I feel that Alex Smith is being snubbed a little bit, I really want to see him get a ring.

Then of course the biggest storyline of Super Bowl XLVII, the “Harbowl”. The first time in professional sports history where two brothers coach against each other for the title. I like Jim Harbaugh’s coaching style and his straight forward personality. Then his brother John, who was the Eagles Special Teams coach before becoming Baltimore’s head coach. Who was also part of the Eagles Super Bowl XXXIX run. And recently brought on another former Eagles coach Juan Castillo to join the staff.

So from an Eagles standpoint, their are many coaches and players in this game. I would love to see John Harbaugh and David Akers win a ring badly. But in this game their will only be one winner. But as happy as i will be for the former Eagles who win, I will also be bitter sweet about it as well. Wanting so badly for my Eagles to lift that Lombardy trophy.

But on the lighter side of things, here is a fun and very interesting fact. In 1996 during Ray Lewis’s rookie season he recorded his first career sack at Indianapolis on then Colts QB now 49ers head coach, you guessed it Jim Harbaugh.

But enough about that. I think that the “Harbowl”, “Brobowl” or whatever you want to call it, has potential to be one of the best Super Bowl’s ever. I’m a defensive guy. And both teams have great defenses. So even though I can’t seem to pick a favorite to win at this point, I hope it’s a defensive, close, low scoring game all the way. I love those kind of dramatics. And what better stage then the Super Bowl down in New Orleans?

A Chip Off The ‘Ol Block

Chip Kelly is the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Let’s say that again. Chip Kelly is the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Wow, it’s not rolling off the tongue to well just yet is it? I mean after 14 years of having one guy as the head coach something new just don’t feel normal. Yet.

Gus Bradley was my guy. And I feel that we passed on someone that could have been really great for the Eagles.

I wanted to wait and see what Chip Kelly had to say before I wrote a blog. I wanted to get my first impression. And honestly, I had some reminders of coach Reid. But in those reminders I see some hunger to succeed. And that much I like.

I do remain skeptical about how his style of offense will translate to the NFL. But what I do like is he will adapt to the players strength’s. Something that we weren’t entirely use to seeing from coach Reid.

Something that people might not know or tend to forget about Kelly in all of his offensive “guruness” is he actually started out coaching on the defensive side of the ball. In 1990 he was defensive backs/special teams coach and outside LB’s and strong safeties coach in 1991 at Columbia. And in 1993 he was Johns Hopkins defensive coordinator. So in knowing that it gives me more comfort knowing he actually does have an idea of how the other side of the ball works.

So after learning a little more about our new coach and watching his first press conference I do feel a little better about Chip Kelly. Because to be honest, initially I really wasn’t happy about this at all. Partly because I had my heart set on Bradley and partly because of my skepticism of Kelly’s offense. But since my skepticism has a very nice, soft pillow to lay on, I feel more comfortable with him. Because let’s face it, we are stuck with Kelly for at least 4 years. Guaranteed.

Welcome to Philly coach Kelly! 

This Bird Needs To Flock East

Gus Bradley. This is my guy. My numero uno choice to lead the Eagles for years to come.Why? Because he’s hungry. He’s ready for that next step. He is a proven coordinator. He deserves it. But most importantly I think, he fits that Philly football mentality. He will bring what I think fits that mold which is tough, physical defense, strong running game with (usually, and aside from the Reid era) a well managed offense.

I love a defensive minded coach. I’ve stated that I really want a defensive minded head coach for this football team. But I also want a defensive minded coach that will not ignore the offense. Bradley seems to be a guy who get’s that. He would prefer more of a running game on offense. A good running game helps out your defense by allowing the defense to catch a breather.

Former Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter came out and sort of called out coach Reid after his firing saying coach. To me, this proves that Reid favored the offense at times. This is what Trotter said.

“As a defense, we understood we passed the ball too much,” Trotter said. “You know, there’s times we’re sitting over there like, ‘Man, listen. Just get us a couple of first downs so we can get a break.’ And I’m sure it frustrated Jim Johnson also.”

My whole point in even bringing that up is I really believe that this is something that the Eagles will not have to worry about with Bradley.

Bradley also has an ability to adapt to what he has. Of course he would mold the roster to his liking through time, but I feel good about what he can do now, as well as building this roster towards the future.

I think Bradley has the potential to have a long tenure as head coach much like coach Reid. That’s saying a lot. I know. But I just think he’s that kind of guy. He will have a long term plan in place as well as a short term. I think we can win and win now with him. Don’t misunderstand that as calling Super Bowl right away, but I think we will contend on all levels. The Eagles just need to bring him in and give him a shot.

End Of An Era

A season that began with so much promise ended with unthinkable disbelief and failure.  The 2012 Philadelphia Eagles season was by far the worst we have experienced since… Well, to be honest I can’t even remember. I’m not sure if there is another season that is really comparable to this season. Not with the talent that was on this roster. Not with the expectations set so high. And certainly being a Super Bowl favorite just to end the season 4-12 (1-11 to close the season out) and ending the Andy Reid era.

Some people might say we ran Andy Reid out of Philly. Ridiculous. Some say we don’t appreciate him. Moronic. Eagles fans appreciate Andy Reid very much. We are very grateful for his 14 years here. He accomplished many things that Eagles fans have not seen in a long time, if not ever. I feel that Eagles fans are forever in debt to this man for bringing us so many good moments over the course of nearly a decade and a half.

For many young fans coach Reid is the only head coach they have ever known for the Eagles. And for many of the older fans, having the Eagles searching for the next head coach is almost like a new situation again. It’s been that long. And that alone says a great deal about Andy Reid’s tenure with the Eagles. Think about that. 14 years! I was just out of high school.

I just want to highlight some of Andy Reid’s accomplishments.

By Chris McPherson philadelphiaeagles.com

Andy Reid is the winningest head coach in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles. He is only the second head coach in franchise history to guide the team to a Super Bowl appearance. Here is a quick bulletpoint-style look at his numerous accomplishments during his 14-year reign in Philadelphia …

• Has the highest win total (140) and winning percentage (.578) of any coach in club history.

• Dominated the NFC East with a 54-40 record (.600) and earned six division titles. Reid owns 17 wins over Dallas.

• Became the 37th coach in NFL history to reach the 100-win plateau (vs. Atlanta on October 26, 2008). In addtion, is the 22nd coach to win 100 games with one franchise and the 17th coach to reach 100 victories in their first stint as a head coach. He is also just the fourth coach to win 100 games in a decade.

• On November 7, 2011, became the 31st coach in NFL history to patrol the sidelines for 200 regular season games and just 13th to do so with one franchise.

• Since joining the head coaching ranks in 1999, Reid’s win total trails only Bill Belichick.

• His 10 playoff wins in nine appearances are most in team history and tied for 11th in league history. The Eagles earned trips to five NFC Championship Games and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX.

• Reached the 50-win milestone faster than any coach in team history (81 games). Dick Vermeil did so in 88 games.

• Earned NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2000, 2002 and 2010.

• Six assistant coaches who served under Reid went on to become head coaches: Brad Childress (Minnesota), John Harbaugh (Baltimore), Leslie Frazier (Minnesota), Ron Rivera (Carolina), Pat Shurmur (Cleveland) and Steve Spagnuolo (St. Louis).

• During his tenure, Reid coached 29 different players to a total of 66 Pro Bowl berths including 15 players with multiple selections.

All of the speculations and rumors came to light yesterday. We say goodbye and thank you to Andy Reid and will soon welcome in a new leader of my beloved Birds. I have no specific guy that I’m wanting. All I hope for is someone with a bit of an edge. Defensive minded but will not ignore the offense. Someone that is hellbent on winning the Super Bowl. That’s what I want in our next head coach.

Brian Dawkins and Donovan McNabb both returned to Philadelphia as part of a visiting team the very next season after their departure from Philly. I only hope wherever coach Reid ends up next season his team makes a trip to Philly. And like Dawkins and McNabb, he will get a much deserved and appreciated welcome home.

Best of luck to you big guy. Except against us.

A Feel Good Win

Wow, how a win can change the mindset of some people. This win was huge. The narrow two point win was the best win we have had in a long time. I would put it up their with a playoff win. Granted, we improved to 4-9, but the win ended a two month long losing streak. Eight games. That’s the longest losing streak by the Eagles in 42 years. And gave a bit of relief to a highly frustrated fan base.

What I noticed first and foremost was the difference in play by the defense. Not because the wide 9 was scrapped (which I am happy about), but because for the first time all season I seen the guys play with heart, passion and pride. The whole team did. But most noticeably on defense. Now, I don’t know how much of that is due to the fact that Washburn and Babin are gone or not, but I believe that has some sort of factor.

Nick Foles had his first career win also. I’m happy and excited about this kids future with the Eagles. He has improved each week he has been the starter. And something that is extremely impressive to me is the fact that Foles knew what play he wanted to run (the game winning TD to Maclin) and told Reid what play he wanted and Reid gave him the ability to call his own play. That’s a lot of trust in a rookie QB. Foles is growing into something special right before our eyes.

On a side note here, I thought it was a bit of a slap in the face by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to choose us as an opponent to celebrate their ten year Super Bowl championship anniversary. I don’t think I need to explain why but I will anyway for the sake of venting. That 2002 NFC Championship game loss at the Vet was horrible for any Eagles fan to go through. If any year, 2002 was our year. We were better then the Buccaneers and definitely better than the Raiders team they beat in the Super Bowl.  Still to this day I believe that we were the better team. We obviously had a bad day and that memory will last a life time. And for them to try and rub it in our face to only have Raymond James Stadium overtaken by Eagles fans AND the Eagles beating the Bucs via a come from behind victory in the last second? Well Tampa Bay, you can take your celebration and shove it.

And last but certainly not least. Andy Reid. I was so happy for him yesterday. Us fans and the media have been brutal towards Reid this season. I still believe he will be gone once when the season ends. And as I said before, I love coach Reid as a person and love everything he has accomplished for us. But man, that was a nice sight to see him smile and elated on the sideline once Maclin made that game winning catch in the endzone. It was nice to see the entire team happy. But especially nice to see Andy Reid smile after a win.