Good Evening Fellow Citizens of the Pond. Tonight we have a special treat for you, as we bring you the first co-op piece for Pond Scum Sports. The Joan and I will be talking about the upcoming Sunday Night Football showdown between the Giants and the Eagles. Now you might say that this is just a homer article written by two Eagles fans. Well, you'd be right. But hear us out, as we have a very interesting theory as to why and how the Eagles have a shot Sunday to beat the G-Men. Enjoy.
Philadelphia Eagles fans are the most impatient fans in the world. Never winning a Super Bowl will do that to people. Despite playing some of the worse football in the history of this planet, the Eagles somehow started the year 2-0. So fans fully expected them to beat Arizona this past weekend. After all, the Cardinals were being led by a Philadelphia cast off, Kevin Kolb, who spent as much time laying on the field injured as he did on the bench in Philly. However, the Eagles luck ran out and they got spanked by the Cardinals 27-6.
While other fans see this as the opening they have been waiting for to start their “Bench Vick” signs, I have a different perspective. This week is Giants week. More importantly, it’s Giants/Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. I firmly believe if the Eagles went into this game 3-0, they would have had no chance verse New York. A Giants/Eagles game is already a grudge match, but mix in a team that is still undefeated and the G-Men would have been out for blood. Plus, Philly would still be ignorant and think their shit doesn’t reek to high heaven. Let me tell you something Birds, 12 turnovers in three games, stinks something AWFUL. Yet, I have hope for this Sunday.
I wanna take you back to the 1996 NFL Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles are on the clock with the last pick in the 2nd round. With that pick, the Philadelphia Eagles would select a free safety from the University of Clemson. This Free Safety would go on to redefine the position in the NFL. 9x Pro Bowler. 6x All-Pro. Member of the NFL 2000s Team. 20 sack/20 INT Club. "Wolverine." "Weapon X." Future Hall of Famer. His number 20 will be retired at halftime of the very game that Joan and I will be attending. That safety's name is Brian Dawkins.
Brian Dawkins is perhaps the Greatest Eagle to have ever put on the uniform. His hard-hitting style was a throwback to the 70's, calling to mind Jack Tatum and the Steel Curtain. He was the embodiment of the city, a guy who flawlessly executed Jim Johnson's Defense, a man who always respected every opponent he ever faced, even while trying feverishly to defend his turf. Offenses always had to check where Number 20 was at all times. Perhaps the greatest injustice is he never was able to hold the Lombardi Trophy over his head. He should have spent his career in Philly. He did not. Many will never forgive the Front Office for letting him go.
Brian Dawkins returns to Philly on Sunday, and when he gets there, he will be met by a brand new team, and a defense he may not recognize. Gone are Mcnabb, Westbrook, Trotter, Sheppard and Brown. There is no one left from that almost magical 2004 season. Jim Johnson, God rest his soul, no longer controls the blitz crazy defense teams feared when they walked into the Vet and Lincoln Financial Field. The wide nine is in. Juan Castillo controls the D. But one thing is the same. Philly still hates NY.
I don't know how I'll feel to see Dawkins in Philly again. Mad, perhaps, that he was allowed to leave. Wistful, because I know he still has it in him, and the Defense could use his leadership right now. That's the point though. For one game, Brian Dawkins will be back on the Eagles sideline. He will be there, riling up Cole and Babin, Kendricks and Ryans, Cromartie and Allen. That the Giants are coming to town on the night the Eagles celebrate the career of the man who gave everything for his city is no coincidence. On Sept 30, 2012, for one night only, the Defense will be led, at the very least in spirit, by the Wolverine. There is no greater motivator of men in the NFL, save Ray Lewis. For one night only, everything will be right on Broad Street, as Brian Dawkins is an Eagle again. New York Giants....Look out for Number 20.
A good old beat down is exactly what the doctor ordered. The Eagles are notorious for getting big heads when they’ve accomplished nothing. Ala Dream Team anybody? A 3-0 record would have been a curse to Philly going into this rivalry game. Granted, if they do lose to the Giants they would be 3-1 instead of 2-2. However, I still believe the loss to the Cardinals was a blessing in the sky. The offensive line needs to step up and the defense needs to stop being a bunch of babies who can’t tackle. Michael Vick needs to protect the football. Most importantly, he needs to realize, just because you have 5-7 seconds in the pocket to throw the ball, doesn’t mean you should sit there the ENTIRE TIME. Take the dump pass to LeSean McCoy or Brent Celek, keep the drive alive. If the Eagles can maintain drives and keep Eli Manning off the field, they have a shot at taking down New York. So let’s do it to it Philly, because there is no sweeter sight then seeing the Giants 0-2 in the division to start the season.
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