As I am writing this blog, the game is still in progress. But this may possibly be a historic day in the history of The Philadelphia Eagles. This may be known as the day when Andy Reid finally replaced Donovan McNabb with possible future quarterback Kevin Kolb. After seven turnovers in the last two games and looking as enthused as someone ready for a tax audit, McNabb's removal is still shocking but not totally surprising.
I know it's hard to believe, but several players shared the notion that Reid was as angry as they had ever seen him following last week's overtime debacle in Cincinnati. Although his job doesn't seem to be on the line, all of greater Philadelphia is calling for his head or Donovan's. After a decade, it's really hard to point the finger at who needs a change of scenery: Is it Reid's play calling? Is it Donovan's play? I for one, and getting sick and tired of both of them on AND off the field. With Reid, you can listen to a press conference from 1999, and you still wouldn't know what game or year it was. The same old song and dance is getting real old. If Reid "has to do a better job with putting his players in a better position to win" after ten years, maybe Reid does need to go to the front office and turn the reigns over to another coach. Since Reid drafted Kolb, it is likely that he would want to work with him if he is indeed McNabb's replacement.
No matter what has happened in any Eagles loss over the past decade, it has NEVER been the fault of Donovan McNabb. You could publish his book of excuses and make a lot of money. There have been rare occasions when Donovan opens his mouth and makes sense. Last week was not one of those instances. The fact that almost nobody on the Eagles knew that overtime ended in a tie during the season is an embarrassing to the fans of this city. And if they didn;t know the rules, it should be further reinforced by the coach. I have known that rule since I was about six. When he was six, McNabb was probably being told by somebody how fantastic he is, so I guess he never really needed to know that. To add insult to injury, he justifies his excuse by saying that Heinz Ward didn't know the rule either when a Steelers game ended in a tie several years ago. Isn't that something you do when you're a child? Put something on the other kid when you know you did something stupid?
In Philadelphia, the fans actually have greater respect for less talented athletes than McNabb (Mitch Williams) when they stick there face in the camera and say "I screwed up." We have never gotten that with McNabb. He has been the best football player in his pee wee league, grade school, high school, and college. Probably being told by his overprotective parents that everything he has ever done is perfect. When you are suddenly in a situation where everything you do isn't so great all the time, it can hit you harder than Ray Lewis. I have seen this scenario on much smaller scales, but when you break it down maybe it is bigger because this is life, not a football game. All I know is, if I don't know the rules to my job, I wouldn't have it for too much longer.
Donovan McNabb, for other reasons or not, may soon be in that position.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Phinally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In case you're wondering why it took me so long to write this blog, it's simply because I still can't believe what has transpired over the last four days in this town. I've had this site up for close to three years, and for the first time I am speechless. So I'm just gonna blurt it out, like the true kings of baseball that we are right now.
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!
What I have witnessed in the last week you really can't describe: The 25 year jinx ending in this town, the first suspended game in MLB World Series history. The 2 million plus at that parade that DWARFED the 1980 parade. We actually celebrated without anyone dying or jumping off a building. Of course, there is a clown in every bunch that always tries to make things interesting. Right now, we are the center of the baseball world. EVERYONE envies us right now. EVERYONE wants to be us right now. We are national heroes. Not only does this boost the morale of Philly sports fans, this will work wonders for the city and everybody in it.
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For those as fortunate as myself that were actually at the game, the image of Brad Lidge going down on his knees after striking out Eric Hinske will forever be imbedded in my brain. The fact that I was able to celebrate it with my dad as well as friends that have live, cried, and died with this team for our whole lives is probably what is the most special. If you can't share it with somebody, it's not worth celebrating.
What is also special are the storylines assiciated with this wonderful victory:
1. Charlie Manuel, managing with a heavy heart, is now vindicated in this town. Nobody (including myself) is crying for Jim Leyland now.
2. Brett Myers, after being exiled to the minor leagues, marks a tremendous comeback to be a post season hero, with his arm and his bat.
3. Jamie Moyer, the 45 year old ageless wonder pitches a classic game three, silencing any doubters that he can't pitch in the major leagues anymore. he attended the 1980 parade as a fan. Now in 2008, he WAS part of the parade.
4. It was a true team effort in every sense of the word. Geoff Jenkins gets the rally started in game 5 (part deux) with THE buggest hit of his career. Eric Bruntlett scores the winning run in two of the four Phillies victories in the World Series. Pedro Feliz, who overall had an up and down season, delivers the game winning hit in game five. Matt Stairs' home run against the Dodgers in the NLCS. We could go on and on. Heroes galore. And they will NEVER ever pay for a meal or drink in this town again.
5. Tim McGraw spreading his late dad Tug's ashes on the pitchers mound prior to game three. Tugger was literally on the mound. Words can't describe that.
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As Phillies fans, we have to savor this moment the rest of our lives. Just because we've won a title doesn't mean it automatically can happen again, or for at least another 28 years. Collect the memorabilia, buy the shirts and DVD's. Experience this over and over again. Because damn it, we deserve it.
Many many people have asked me over the last week what I'm going to do with this site if the Phillies did win the series. After a few weeks of deliberation, I have decided to keep the site up. It will however, have a different tone and an almost total makeover. It is time for a little change. And in this particular situation, change is indeed good. After all, in the words of Chase Utley we are
WORLD FUCKING CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!
What I have witnessed in the last week you really can't describe: The 25 year jinx ending in this town, the first suspended game in MLB World Series history. The 2 million plus at that parade that DWARFED the 1980 parade. We actually celebrated without anyone dying or jumping off a building. Of course, there is a clown in every bunch that always tries to make things interesting. Right now, we are the center of the baseball world. EVERYONE envies us right now. EVERYONE wants to be us right now. We are national heroes. Not only does this boost the morale of Philly sports fans, this will work wonders for the city and everybody in it.
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For those as fortunate as myself that were actually at the game, the image of Brad Lidge going down on his knees after striking out Eric Hinske will forever be imbedded in my brain. The fact that I was able to celebrate it with my dad as well as friends that have live, cried, and died with this team for our whole lives is probably what is the most special. If you can't share it with somebody, it's not worth celebrating.
What is also special are the storylines assiciated with this wonderful victory:
1. Charlie Manuel, managing with a heavy heart, is now vindicated in this town. Nobody (including myself) is crying for Jim Leyland now.
2. Brett Myers, after being exiled to the minor leagues, marks a tremendous comeback to be a post season hero, with his arm and his bat.
3. Jamie Moyer, the 45 year old ageless wonder pitches a classic game three, silencing any doubters that he can't pitch in the major leagues anymore. he attended the 1980 parade as a fan. Now in 2008, he WAS part of the parade.
4. It was a true team effort in every sense of the word. Geoff Jenkins gets the rally started in game 5 (part deux) with THE buggest hit of his career. Eric Bruntlett scores the winning run in two of the four Phillies victories in the World Series. Pedro Feliz, who overall had an up and down season, delivers the game winning hit in game five. Matt Stairs' home run against the Dodgers in the NLCS. We could go on and on. Heroes galore. And they will NEVER ever pay for a meal or drink in this town again.
5. Tim McGraw spreading his late dad Tug's ashes on the pitchers mound prior to game three. Tugger was literally on the mound. Words can't describe that.
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As Phillies fans, we have to savor this moment the rest of our lives. Just because we've won a title doesn't mean it automatically can happen again, or for at least another 28 years. Collect the memorabilia, buy the shirts and DVD's. Experience this over and over again. Because damn it, we deserve it.
Many many people have asked me over the last week what I'm going to do with this site if the Phillies did win the series. After a few weeks of deliberation, I have decided to keep the site up. It will however, have a different tone and an almost total makeover. It is time for a little change. And in this particular situation, change is indeed good. After all, in the words of Chase Utley we are
WORLD FUCKING CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
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