EAGLES: Snatching Respect From The Jaws Of Defeat
It’s early in the morning, and after the drama of the Eagles versus the Patriots, I feel better than I thought I would. After all, the Vegas bet makers (whoever they are) had it all wrong. A season of frustration turned on a valiant and talented group of football players who were supposed to get crushed, but almost burst the balloon of the giants of the game this season.
Now, don’t get me wrong. This area’s emotions run a wide range during football season, and losing is not admired around here. But true grit in the face of adversity is. So, watching the game like the rest of you, I got really excited that we not only scared the daylights out of the Brady Bunch, but we almost won it. In a way, despite the quarterback controversy that will begin this morning, and regardless of the frustrations of the fans, and the futility of some of the season, this game made me feel really good. I mean, after all, the real thrill of sports is the unexpected - the Phils passing the Mets in the final months, the Miracle at The Meadowlands, the success of a smaller player like Alan Iverson, the drama on the ice, and the one word that we feed on in this town — hope
In many ways, this game was a turnaround for a team that needed a transfusion of joy. Even when the final seconds ticked away, I felt a sense of victory in the air, a triumph of spirit.
Now for those of you who simply can’t take the agony of defeat, remember always that on November 25, 2007, the Eagles took it hard to the Patriots, with a backup quarterback, a running back (Westbrook) who is a career classic, and a bunch of linemen who made the Patriots look ordinary.
If that is not enough to wake you from your Monday morning funk, I suggest read the news from overseas these days. That will make you appreciate any moment of diversionary sports joy.
The Eagles snatched respect from the jaws of defeat.
Let the quarterback controversy begin!
73% of the readers say that AJ ought to get a chance to start next week.
I guess we now know who the real primadonna is (no pun intended), since Coach, after last night’s game is going with Donny, And ya wonder why we have no TO anymore and no chance at the payoffs?
I wonder how any Philly fan can possible draw any satisfaction from last night’s game. Doesn’t the fact that the Eagles outplayed New England for most of the game make you question the entire season? I interpret last night as an indication of how good this team could be with appropriate leadership (Coach and QB). Does it take playing the league’s best team to motivate these guys to play their best? This Eagles team has several times had the talent to win it all, but consistenly doesn’t leave it all out on the field. That’s a sign that new leadership is needed.
McN is the wrong QB for the West Coast style. Played at its best, the West Coast is a ‘possession’ offense via the air. You have to be able to sustain drives with the short and intermediate range passes that require ‘touch.’ McN does not have the ability to throw that kind of ball on a consistently accurate basis. Garcia or Feeley may not be able to throw as far or as hard, but the offense does not require that type of arm. What it requires is the ability to quickly read the situation and put the ball where a receiver can make a play on the ball. McN would thrive in an offense better suited to his talent - the home run ball to athletic receivers who can give McN the degree of separation that he feels comfortable with before he’ll throw the ball. TO gave him that. Somehow, ‘lesser QBs’ have managed to overcome their limitations and achieve good results. What does it say about a QB with ‘the arm to die for’ but does not achieve the same as ‘lesser QBs?’
McN is just a ’square peg’ in the ’round West Coast’ offense. His physical talent allowed him to overcome this difference, but with his knee injury, he has more difficulty in compensating for challenge in consistent accuracy with the short to intermediate pass.
What is a puzzle to me, is how, and let’s give him the benefit of an accurate estimate, a McN at 75% is still better than a 100% Feeley?
Maybe all would have been better served if McN had taken more time heal and regain his form?
Good game, I would agree that your team is better than your record suggests. You are a couple of players away from being right up there.
McNabb is reminding me of Randall C. after his second serious injury. Came back to the Eagles with a lack of fire and serious questioning of his ability. Not the same guy at all. Given the injury and the remnants of the TO fiasco (I’m not sure all of the Eagles have forgiven him that), things need to change with the team. Maybe McNabb will be able to make a comeback like Randall did, but he needs to regroup elsewhere. In the meantime,the Eagles have to realize they can play well enough to pretty much beat the Packers and almost beat the Patriots and play that way every week.