Thanks for Four Years of Awesome
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Blogged Around Philly: Farewell Edition
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Holy Sweet Tap-dancing Jesus! I agree with Angelo Cataldi!
The 610 WIP sports pundit revoked his own license as an Eagles fan in today’s Metro and, to be honest, I’m not exactly sure he doesn’t have a great idea. Fact is, we’ve all been frustrated by the Eagles over the last few years, but is there a point where it becomes too much to bear? Die-hard Eagles fans would say no, Angelo Cataldi says yes, and I’ll admit to being on the fence.
For years, I’ve noticed myself being unable to muster the enthusiasm and passion for the Eagles that I had for the Flyers and the Phillies. Sundays became like awkward family functions that you attend out of duty rather than desire. The games trudged on with the odd twinge of excitement here and there, but for the most part watching the Eagles over the last few years has been like witnessing a group of people who once gave it their all mail it in and not even feel all that guilty about it. Basically, it was like Season 6 of 24. There were points were I even stopped caring whether or not they won a game, and I talked to many Eagles fans who felt that same thing.
The problem is, I want to like them. I want to root for the Eagles as hard as I did during their 2002 campaign. The only problem is that I kind of resent them now. And it’s not that they tied, that happens [every six years], but how they ended up kissing their sisters that bugs me. Andy Reid calls for a punt on 4th and 1 with little over a minute remaining in overtime with no timeouts? Donovan McNabb doesn’t comprehend after 10 years in the league that ties are not a spectral phenomenon, or a metaphysical molecular theory, but an actual, tangible reality in the NFL?
Come on!
What really affected my numbness towards all things Eagles is the general philosophy surrounding the team. All of the top guys are arrogant condescending jerks who think they know football better than anyone, even if none of them have won a Super Bowl before. It’s a philosophy that’s reflected in the head coach who worships his own system above the natural talents of his players and refuses to adapt. It’s reflected in the infuriating “aw-shucks” smirk of their franchise quarterback after he tosses yet another interception or errant throw.
What makes it worse is that McNabb is not the real bad guy here; in fact, I understand that the “aw-shucks” smirk is a defense mechanism and probably the only way for him to survive in this city, but if you couple that smirk with poor play and the overarching philosophy of arrogance that encompasses the club, fans are eventually going to start thinking they're being played for fools.
And who could blame them?
At the end of the day, I’m not on board with Cataldi’s plan to abandon this sinking ship. I want to be, and I don’t blame him for getting out, but I just can’t. I still look at my old school Eagles hat and remember Randall and the good times. I remember the first few plays of the 2003 NFC Championship game, that fateful last game at the Vet. I hold out hope that maybe I can see what McNabb can do with one year under a new coach who understands his talents. I hold out hope that I can get even a fraction of excitement out of the Eagles that I get from the Phillies and Flyers.
But sadly, the Eagles are being run much like the Federal Government of the last eight years, and the only way to fix it is a fundamental shift in the philosophy that governs them. A seismic shift in personnel.
In short, the Eagles need an NFL Barack Obama.
I’m looking forward to rooting for the Eagles again, but until things change, I’m faced with simply not caring. I won’t root against them (except for gambling or fantasy purposes), but I can’t bring myself to root for them.
As a fan, I’m apathetic about the Eagles, because they’re apathetic about me.
Image Credit: Flickr user littlerottenrobin
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