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

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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!!!

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.

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.

Mr. Lurie, You Owe Us

I just can’t shake the disappointment from this season. I have tried to stay positive no matter what. And recently before the Panthers game I posted a blog about remaining positive. Well, that was definitely short lived. All of the little bit of optimism I was attempting to maintain a firm grip on slipped away Monday night.

The fans are screaming for something to be done and done now to change. Not that any sort of change will save this season or anything. I mean let’s face it, being 3-8, your all but done. But show us something. Acknowledge the fact that you are listening to the fans frustrations. Act like you CARE about the fans frustrations and don’t just talk about “we have to do better” Excuse me but umm, no shit.

I know it’s Jeffrey Lurie’s policy to not interact with media during the season. He believes it takes away from the team. Well, at this point does all of that really matter? I mean the way I look at it is Mr. Lurie see’s his team in a deep tailspin ready to crash into the Earth and he’s the guy that slowly steps backwards into the shadow while he’s whistling like he has nothing to do with it. Break your policy of silence during the season and acknowledge us fans. Show us you care. Braking your own personal policy of silence is not going to matter. Because you have so far broke your promise to us. And that’s bringing us a Super Bowl.

To me the Eagles are like family. That’s why I get so mad at them. Because I know what they are capable of. Under Lurie and Reid we have seen what they can do. We have no doubt had some great times. Have done things that hadn’t been done by Eagles teams in a long time, if ever. I said this before and I will continue to say this. It is the expectations that built up this fan-base and has turned into a disappointing broken promise. That’s what makes this season so hard and disappointing. Because let’s face it, if this were the Kotite era, this would be expecting. But it’s not.

I’m an Eagles fan no matter what. That will never change. I love this team. And I will continue to remind that to everyone because it’s easy to jump ship during times like this. But that does not mean I need to be happy or complacent with how they are doing. This isn’t Carolina where it’s just “eh, they will do better, I’m sure of it” Because at this rate, finishing 3-13 sounds pretty damn realistic.

So, Mr. Lurie, step out of your silent hole and do something. I hate to sound like a broken record, but it needs to be done. Before the clock hits 00:00 on Dec. 30th. You owe that much to us. You know, the ones that put money in your pockets after buying tickets and merchandise. The people who invest ridiculous amounts of money, heart and time into this train wreck of a season. You owe us way more than just silence Mr. Lurie. You are losing way more respect by not breaking your policy then if you went ahead and did break it.

 

Bad Keeps Getting Worse

 

I have spent years following this team loyally and faithfully. Ever since I can remember I spend the fall and winter following my beloved Eagles. I have spent so much money on merchandise, jersey’s, hat’s, ticket’s, etc.. A lot of devotion. Some think it’s crazy and a bit much but I don’t care because it’s what I love and what I am passionate about. And it is known by family and friends that when I am no longer granted God’s grace to walk this Earth that my only wish is to be buried in my #20 green Dawkins jersey.

I think you get my point. I love this team. No matter what.

Now with all of that being said, this 2012 Eagles season has become one of the hardest and most frustrating seasons I can ever remember. The Eagles sit at 3-7 right now. 3-7? A team that was picked by many to reach the Super Bowl this season. Expectations were high as was the moral with the team and fans. Now we are all left in a catastrophic state of confusion.

The fans have questions and the organization has no answers. Really, they don’t. Just go watch some of the post game interviews and press conferences. It’s a sad sight to see. It really is. So if the players don’t even know what’s going on how can us as fans possibly believe coach Reid or anyone else when they say they have to improve? I would ask for an answer to that question but I know nobody will have an answer.

Honestly, I’m fed up. I never would have expected this team to ever come close to 3-7 before the season started. 7-3, possibly. While I was watching the non effort coming from the Eagles today while they got beat down by the Redskins I had a bit of a flashback to the Kotite era. Probably the worst era in Eagles football history. A time I wanted to erase from my memory. Ugh, damn you Kotite.

Nothing like a flashback to some nightmarish type football from the Birds, eh? Now, it’s not like the Eagles haven’t had bad seasons before. The difference I think with this team from past pathetic Eagles teams is the expectations going into this season. If they weren’t so high then losing like this wouldn’t be so difficult? Now don’t get me wrong, losing sucks no matter how you slice it, it’s just those damn expectations man.

My hopes for anything positive this year were officially shot today after being destroyed by the Redskins. And insult to injury was Shady McCoy leaving the end of the game with a concussion. And while I’m on the topic of today’s game, you would assume a coach would give a rookie QB making his first start a better chance by calling a more balanced game. Foles threw 46 passes. FOURTY SIX! That’s almost setting him up. Come on man.

I’m far from giving up on Foles. I don’t feel that the coaches helped him at all today. They should have game-planned to suite Foles abilities. But that comes back on coach Reid.

When it comes down to it, I’ll forever love the Philadelphia Eagles. Even through the hard times. But it’s to the point this season that the players are coming across as not caring. Almost giving up on the season. Coaches as well. For what reason nobody knows. Not even them apparently. Pathetic. So if they don’t care, why should I? Us as fans can only take so much. It’s not our fault they built this team up with the high expectations that were there. That’s not our fault. They built us up just to knock us on our asses.

I’ll close this out by saying that in my opinion I think the Eagles are the worst team in the NFL. Yes, THE WORST TEAM IN FOOTBALL! It brings me no pleasure or relief by saying that. It feels horribly wrong honestly. But from the football being played and coached by this team, that’s how I feel. And it’s an honest feeling. It’s only fair after what the Eagles have done to our breaking hearts this season.

 

It’s Time Andy!.!.!

 

Now I have been on the fence about whether Andy Reid should go or not. I’ve been flip flopping back and forth for the last few seasons actually. And for a few reasons that I will get to in just a second. But first I want to clarify that I actually like coach Reid as a person. In a way, I like how he handles the media. I like how he shows loyalty. Reid is a good man. I truly believe that.

With that being said, the reasons I keep flip flopping as to why or why not coach Reid should remain the Eagles head coach. Through the years Reid has accomplished a lot. More than any other coach has in Eagles history. But you can almost split his career here in two halves. Now to keep it fair I will only go from 1999-2011. This season is his 14th year and we are still in the middle of the season.

So here we go. Andy Reid has a 126-81-1 record through 2011. Now during the first half of his career with the Eagles (1999-2005) he has a 70-42 record while also having a 7-5 playoff record. During those 7 seasons the Eagles won 4 NFC East titles, 1 NFC Championship title and a Super Bowl appearance. Coach Reid also won some coaching awards himself during that time. They include the 2002 AP Coach of the Year, 2002 Sporting News Coach of Year, 2002 Pro Football Weekly Coach of Year, 2002 Maxwell Football Club NFL Coach of Year,2000 Sporting News Coach of Year and 2000 Maxwell Football Club NFL Coach of Year.

Now let’s look at 2006-2011. Reid posted a 56-45-1 record with a 3-4 record in the postseason. Accomplishing 2 NFC East titles. Reaching 1 NFC Championship game. Now if you choose to add the Eagles current 2012 3-6 record to this total you can. It will not help the case of his “second half slump”

It’s painfully obvious that his second half has shown decline as a whole. The NFL is competitive and it’s hard to win. But for coach Reid’s first seven years here he set the standard of expectations. He peaked in 2004 during the Super Bowl run. 2005 can be considered a pass because the Eagles were thwarted with injuries. No team could have recovered in that position.

Many question his philosophy, play-calling, clock management, personnel and roster decisions. Myself included at times. And I think it’s fair. Because of those first 7 seasons. And all of those promises of Super Bowls that Philadelphia is craving for.

I personally think Reid is burnt out. Especially after the passing of his son during training camp. Of course that’s something Reid will never admit. But I seriously think it’s still affecting him and his abilities this season. This season is the first time the Eagles have lost five in a row under coach Reid. It’s amazing that it took 14 seasons to do that. It’s not something to be proud of but it’s something to admire in a round a bout kind of way.

Like I said, I think Reid is burnt out in Philly. He needs a change of scenery in my opinion. And I think he should seriously consider it after the season. Maybe have him take a year off then come back in 2014 as President? I’m not sure. But like my last blog I said that I’m ready for the future (Foles). Well, I’m ready for a change at head coach as well.

I praise Andy Reid for all that he has accomplished as the Eagles head coach. Right now though, he’s just not getting it done. The Eagles have not won a playoff game since 2008. And at this very moment in time I don’t see another playoff victory coming anytime soon.