Bitterness from an Eagles Fan

I was literally sick to my stomach last night.

Not so much that the Giants did what winners do in a big game, make enough plays to put you in a position to win, or that San Francisco, who’s defense was the best unit on the field last night, was undercut by TWO big mistakes by a backup kick returner.

I was sick to my stomach watching this as a fan of what was another hopeful season for the NFC Champ rival Philadelphia Eagles. They made all the “Big” moves this year in free agency, yet finished shy of the playoffs after some awful losses to that 49ers team, Buffalo, Arizona, and Seattle. While I don’t necessarily think Andy Reid should be fired for this disaster of a season, I do think changes need to be made.

Strip Reid of his executive duties!
There is a fundamental difference in organizations when you look at the Giants and Eagles. The Giants make executive decisions with a goal of WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS, while the Eagles make executive decisions based on flashiness, the media, and ultimately making money off the fans. Andy Reid needs to focus on coaching his players on the field, not handling DeSean Jackson’s contract extension, designating an Offensive line coach for a Defensive Coordinator position, or being the final say when drafting a team.

Exhibit A
2009 – The Eagles traded additional draft picks to move up and take WR Jeremy Maclin. Maclin has been solid, but inconsistent in his first couple of seasons. The Giants drafted Hakeem Nicks 10 pick later.

Exhibit B
2010 – The Eagles traded additional draft picks to move up and draft DE/OLB Brandon Graham. The jury is still out on Graham as he has been hurt most of the two seasons he’s been in the league. Do you know who hasn’t been hurt the last two seasons, but instead has become one of the top defensive ends in the league? Jason Pierre-Paul, who was drafted two picks AFTER Graham.

Exhibit C
2011 - The Eagles gave a big contract extension to Mike Vick (An issue I won’t get into for the sake of keeping this short), then get Assomough, Rogers Cromartie, Vince Young, and a few other players to make a run at the Superbowl. Instead of using the last of their salary cap to extend DeSean Jackson, a game changer at WR, they use that money for an injured ex-Giant, Steve Smith to play 4th string WR and not even see the field for most of the season. GREEDY MEDIA PLAY! The result? It pisses off Jackson so much that he doesn’t give his full effort on the field and becomes enough of a distraction in the locker room to infect the whole team.

Well done Eagles!

I hate the Giants, and realize that it’s more out of jealousy than anything else. I completely respect the way that the organization is run, the coaches coach, and the players play. It’s no wonder that the Giants, Patriots, Steelers, and Packers play in so many Superbowls.

The Eagles will never be that franchise and that’s what makes me sick to my stomach.