We Just Need to Chill Out...

Saturday, January 17, 2009 ·

It is funny how the sports world works, at least in the Northeast. One day, we're completely in love with a team, a player, or a coach, and the next day we want them out on the next plane to somewhere else. They're normally just quick, knee-jerk reactions said in the moment, but even if it is a player or coach that just makes the home team's fans get upset, we still defend them to fans of other teams. Regardless a Philadelphia player or coach will always be better than whoever is on your team. At least we will tell you that.

The purpose of this post is to comment on Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid. The media circle revolves around them...even when the Phillies are in the World Series.

Let's be honest, they both have their faults. Clock-management, an inability to adapt, etc. They also have good characteristics like, um, winning. I understand we in Philadelphia always want perfection. The perfect play-call, the perfect execution, the perfect ending, but it doesn't always happen and quite frankly it rarely happens for everyone.

Outside of the Patriots, there has not been much of a dynasty since the Denver Broncos in the late 90s. We always talk about the Patriots, but quite frankly, they haven't won a Super Bowl since the 2004-2005 season. The Eagles, yes the Eagles, have been the closest thing to, for lack of a better word, a dynasty in the NFC. Five NFC Championships in 10 seasons of the McNabb/Reid era. You don't just get there on accident. You need a good team effort, both offensively and defensively. When the defense faltered, McNabb and the offense has been there to pick them up over the last ten years. When the offense struggled, the defense picked up their game and completely took over.

Sure, the team has had in-game inconsistency, but there has always been one overall constant: winning. Over the last 10 seasons, the Eagles franchise has one a hell of a lot more games than they've lost. Team effort! Andy Reid is 97-62-1 in his 10 years of coaching the Eagles. A .610 winning percentage combined with a 10-6 record in the playoffs. His .610 winning percentage ranks him 26th all-time. Sure, he makes his bonehead moves, but do we really want someone different? Like I said before, maybe he just needs some help...or luck to push him over the top.

So many people in Philadelphia are longing for Bill Cowher. They're similar coaches. Bill Cowher was always the coach of great teams who could never get over the final hump. What happened? He got some luck in the Steelers 2006 Super Bowl win and he and his team were crowned champions. (Big Ben still didn't get in the end zone.) This year, the Eagles were granted with luck and they've used it to their full advantage of the the opportunity for another Super Bowl berth. Someone had to keep the team together. Was it not Andy? While his press-conferences are boring and predictable, what do you want him to do? Sure you want questions answered, but do you also want him throwing his players under the bus? Do you want a Tom Coughlin or to watch a team like the Dallas Cowboys?

Who do we want? Let's face it, Reid is a good coach and he has the resume to prove it. Sure, he's lacking that one Super Bowl win, but so was Bill Cowher. Remember it takes offense, defense, and the special teams to win the big game. You need COMPLETE dominance. Also, the bounces have to fall your way. The bounces fell our way to get into the playoffs. Everything is going our way so far in the postseason. Enjoy the ride. Remember none of us felt we'd even be in this position. Remember everyone prepared themselves for another Philadelphia let down with the Phillies. Just believe, right?

As far as Donovan McNabb, my two main problems with him is that he holds onto to the ball too long sometimes and he limits himself. What I mean by that is that he doesn't use his tools. I know he's older, but he doesn't realize how valuable his legs are. A 1st and 10 scramble for 4-5 yards is as good as any run on first down. I like the fact that he wants to score every play, but he just needs to settle down, milk the clock, build long-drives, and just take advantage of the opportunities given to him. Last week, we witnessed one of the best two-minute drills ran by McNabb in a long time. It was reminiscent of the game-winning drive at Green Bay a few years back and the late first half drive against Dallas a few weeks ago. I understand he feels the pressure and his frustrated with the perception the media and local fan base may have of him. Let's be honest though, you, me, and Donovan McNabb are all frustrated with the same thing. We all want that title. Have faith, it's happening this year.

Eagles Wins - Wife goes to Tampa!


1 Comments:

Anonymous said...
January 17, 2009 at 2:32 PM  

Well put! Amen!

A small introduction...

We Hate to Lose began in October 2007. The initial purpose of the website was to provide news updates and commentary on all four major sports teams in Philadelphia. Because of time-constraints, in April of 2009, I decided to post only on my first-love, the Philadelphia Phillies.

My name is Justin Evans and I hope you enjoy the site.

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