Eulogy of the "Dream Team"

(The following is a Eulogy for the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles with quotes from Julius Caesar spattered throughout….not very coherently but Shakespearian none the less.)

Friends, Philadelphians, Eagles Fans.....

Friends, Philadelphians, Eagles fans, lend me your ears; I come to bury the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles, not to praise them.  As the seconds ticked off the clock in Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday, it became perfectly clear that this team is dead.  Sure, there are 11 games left and this still remains a talented team; but for all intents and purposes, this season is over.  The so called “Dream Team” played more like a nightmare through the first 5 games of this season.  There have been 100 teams that have started 1-4 since 1990 (a fact that fans were reminded of repeatedly during the broadcast).  Of those 100 teams only 5 have made the playoffs.  5 out of 100.  Not even the most degenerate gambler would take those odds.  So here we sit having just buried our “can’t lose” baseball team, mourning the loss of our overhyped football team.  If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.

Hey guys, remember me?

The “Dream Team”.  Sure it was a quote said in jest by a backup quarterback that may or may not have been taken out of context.  We all bought into the hype.  We thought we had a Super Bowl contender. Are we just as much to blame for the pain we feel?  We are here with heavy hearts but why? You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!  O you hard hearts, you cruel fans of Philadelphia, knew you not Rich Kotite?

I'm in over my head

How did this happen?  What went wrong?  We could go back and forth but there’s one thing for sure; it starts with the coaching staff.  Let’s start with defense.  Could Juan Castillo be out of his element?  Is it possible he is just a figure head?  Defensive line coach Jim Washburn likes to run the now infamous “wide 9”.  Is this truly Castillo’s defense? Or is Washburn pulling the strings behind the scenes. In theory the Wide 9 is not a bad defense.  In Philly it hasn’t worked due to the Eagles ineptitude at linebacker.  The front office put their faith in Casey Mathews who is very undersized for a linebacker.  He has proven that it takes more than a famous bloodline to be successful in the NFL.  The other linebackers shall remain nameless basically because they are just that; nameless.  The Eagles defense has been run over by Cadillac Williams, Steven Jackson, Michael Turner, Frank Gore and Fred Jackson like Bo Jackson would run over people in Tecmo Bowl.  The wide 9 has been a big bust, but for my own part, it was Greek to me.  (and apparently to the Eagles defense as well).

 

The secondary was supposed to be the strength on this defense.  With all the hype behind signing Nnamdi Asomugha and trading for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie along with Pro Bowler Asante Samuel, why not?  Well 3 interceptions, missed tackles too numerous to count, and an NFC leading 11 passing touchdowns given up is hardly “dream team” worthy.  Andy Reid and the defensive coaching staff have outthought themselves.  Yond, Andy Reid used to have a lean and hungry look; such men are dangerous.  Now, he just looks befuddled….and hungry; those men are not. 

Time for a divorce?

Speaking of Andy, he’s still up to his same old shenanigans.  When is he finally going to “do a better job of getting his players ready”?  It’s been 13 years and it’s still the same old song.  After every game it’s the same thing.  It’s time to end this 13 year marriage.  Someone’s head needs to roll and it has to be Andy’s.  Who else has a say in the play calling, personnel decisions, game management, and getting the player’s prepared for game day?  Yep, Andy Reid.  Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Andy, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.  You’ve had your chance.  The time to move on is now.  Time’s yours…..

Finally, the offensive “stars” are not without fault here either.  The Eagles defense is not the only part of the team doing their best Tecmo Bowl impersonation.  The offensive line at times has looked like when you call the right play on defense in Tecmo Bowl and the entire defense is in the backfield.  There is no excuse to allow the defense in the backfield before the quarterback can hand the ball off.  Michael Vick is taking a ton of hits.  Not all of them are the fault of the Swiss cheese offensive line. There have been times that Vick has simply held on to the ball too long.  Is it because he can’t read the defense?  Is it that the receivers are not getting open?  Who knows but something is wrong.  Shady McCoy has done well running the ball but is it because he’s running for his life?  This was the noblest Eagle of them all.

Finally our playmakers are not making the plays.  Perhaps they are trying too hard.  There is no excuse for a -10 turnover ratio on a “Dream Team”.  Whether it's fumbles, tipped balls that lead to interceptions, interceptions or dropped balls; the playmakers are not making the plays.  Even the sure handed Jason Avant is turning the ball over despite having a career year.  Et tu, Jason!  So my fellow Eagles fans I stand before you today to say goodbye.  Goodbye to the hopes of winning Super Bowl 46.  

Thanks to all of our loyal readers.  Remember Twitter @Obs_Views_Blog and Facebook.  Also find me on LinkedIn (Jim Montgomery).  Until next time this is Jimbo saying; Bear with me; my heart is in the coffin there with the Eagles season, and I must pause till it come back to me.  2012 is another year……

If you got a chip fan, go and brush your shoulder off.....

It bonus time.  It’s your lucky day because I’m giving you back to back posts.  The Philly sports landscape is gradually changing.  There is a lot in the news recently that needs to be discussed.  So without further ado, here’s your weekend bonus 4 pack.

Philly Sports Weekend Bonus 4 pack 

Golden Era

There were articles about a month or so ago in both the Daily News and Inquirer talking about how this is the golden era of Phillies baseball.  I don’t disagree but I’m going to take it one step further.  We are in the golden era of ALL Philadelphia sports.  Don’t think so?  Check out these stats:

Playoff appearances since 2000 (Flyers and Sixers start with 2000-2001 season):

Eagles – 9 out of 11 seasons (6 division titles, 3 wild card berths, 5 NFC Championship games, 1 NFC title, 1 Super Bowl appearance) 

Phillies – 4 out of 11 seasons (4 division titles, 2 NL titles, 1 Championship)

Flyers -   9 out of 10 seasons (2004-2005 season cancelled) (3 division titles, 3 conference finals, 1 Stanley cup appearance)

Sixers – 7 out of 11 seasons (1 division title, 1 NBA Finals appearance)

Obviously the one thing missing is multiple championships.  I challenge anyone to name me another era in history where the teams have had this kind of sustained success.  It can’t be done.  I know some of my old head readers may say the mid 70’s to mid 80’s simply because of the number of titles.  You could make a valid argument but sports are different now.  Also, not all 4 teams had this kind of success for this long the entire time.  So enjoy ladies and gentleman.  You are in the golden age of Philly sports and there is no guarantee how long it will last or if it will ever happen again.  I still would like to see few more championships.  Without them is the era really that golden?

Competitive year after year or title

Speaking of golden eras and titles, I actually could do without this golden age.  Out of 29 playoff appearances and 5 finals appearances Philly only has 1 title?  Come on.  You can do the math and the average is not that good.  I would trade all of this sustained success for a few more championships.  I know there are a lot of team’s fans out there who’d gladly trade places with me in a minute.  I’m greedy.  Especially since I got the taste of what a championship is I want more.  All those division titles and playoff appearances mean shit if you don’t win the title.   I may be in the minority but give me another title in 3 out of 4 of the sports and I’ll be satisfied for a few years.  Give me a Lombardi Trophy, a Stanley Cup, and an O’Brien trophy to go with the World Series Trophy and I’ll take a few years of being in last place.  Beats the hell out of being so close only to have it ripped away.

Chip on shoulder

As I mentioned yesterday, the Eagles are making crazy moves and spending a lot of money.  They are bringing in some big name players in an effort to make a run at that elusive Super Bowl title.  I do think that Joe Banner and Howie Roseman are feeling jealous of the Phillies and their recent success.  Whatever the reason is, I’ll take it.  I’m a regular follower of ESPN.com’s page 2 as well as profootballtalk.com (I really wish they’d give me a free plug since I just gave them one…..just saying).  I like to read the comments that people leave.  After each article or post that involves the Eagles without fail some asshole Cowboys or Giants fans will undoubtedly leave the “The Eagles fans are horrible.  They know nothing and have this huge chip on their shoulder”, or something to that extent.  Guess what?  Eagles fans do have chips on their shoulders.  I’ll be honest, a lot stems from jealously and frustration.  Jealous that all of the cities near Philadelphia have won Super Bowls and, with the exception of the Baltimore Ravens, multiple Super Bowls.  You can’t have an intelligent argument with a Cowboys, Giants, Redskins, Steelers, or Patriots fan without them mentioning their Super Bowl titles.  It’s frustrating but hell, I don’t blame them.  It’s the ultimate trump card.  I can throw out all the knowledge I have but it doesn’t mean shit when one of them undoubtedly will ask, “How many rings do you have?”  I just want to be in the conversation.  You can boast all you want about how many at that point, I’d be happy with my one.  Unfortunately as it stands now, I haven’t even been invited to the party to be a part of the discussion.  That’s where the chip comes from.   

I was watching as the fog rolled into Soldier Field.  I had to deal with Bryce Paup snapping Randall’s knee like twig and then Jerome Brown dying.  God told me to go to Green Bay.  The musical quarterbacks in the mid to late 90’s.  (Does Brad Goebel ring a bell?)  For who? For What?  Rich Kotite.  Doug Pederson.  Tommy Hutton bobbling the snap.  Emmitt Smith running and running on Halloween night in the rain.  Did I mention Doug Pederson?  Ronde Barber.  Ricky Manning.  Asante Samuel (when he was with the Patriots).  You get the point.  So yes, as an Eagles fan I do have a chip on my shoulder.  The only thing that will knock it off is a Super Bowl Title.  I’ll work out the details of my party conversation when I get there.  For now, I just want to be invited to the party.  Maybe the invitation got lost in the mail?

Dream Team

If you ask most of the so called “experts”, this is the year my invitation comes in the mail.  The Eagles are making a lot of power moves and honestly I like it.  All that’s left is to extend Vick and Desean’s contracts and we could be set for a really long time.  What I don’t like is all the hype.  Maybe it’s the chip on my shoulder but I don’t like all the talk that is going on.  2 of the new players have made comments that have everyone up in arms.  Vince Young, in jest I might add, said the Eagles were a “dream team”.  First of all if you watch the interview he was obviously joking.  The media however took this and ran with it.  Vince, let this be a lesson to you, watch what you say.  Joking or not you’ve been in the league long enough to know better.  The media is also part to blame too.  This is a non-story.  Vince Young was laughing and the quote was taken out of context.  Maybe it’s the chip on my shoulder but the media seems against the Eagles too.  Just saying.  Jason Babin Tweeted that the Eagles were like the Miami Heat.  Seriously?  First of all expectations were already going to be high.  Secondly, you do know what happened to them right?  I hope you’re ready to step up Jason because teams are going to be coming at you extra hard. 

Rob Ryan

Here’s your Saturday bonus.  Rob Ryan said he can’t wait to kick the ass of the “all hype team”.  I’ll admit there is a lot of hype surrounding the Eagles.  But seriously Rob?  All your family does is talk.  Other than old man Buddy who won a title as a coordinator, your family has won nothing.  Your father choked (literally and figuratively) as the coach of the Eagles 3 straight years.  Rex has won nothing.  Your record as a coordinator is terrible.  How about you worry about getting your shit together before you talk any more shit?  

Well that’s all for know.  Again if you haven’t done so already like us on Facebook and follow on Twitter @Obs_Views_Blog Tell your friends about us.  You can also subscribe for e-mail updates every time we post.  Do it so I can stop asking you.  Until next time this is Jimbo saying I’m feeling a little Chippy.