How do you spell Courage?

I don't know about you but I don't think it takes much courage to sign a million dollar contract. But Mike Vick's teammates don't agree with that. Instead they voted to give him an award! I listened yesterday to Don Cherry and Hugh Douglas go at it. I give Don credit for trying put this in proper perspective for Hugh. It's impossible because Douglas is a dope, he single-handed proves the point that most football players are mental midgets. Douglas kept saying you have to allow the man (Vick) to rehabilitate himself. You have the let the man "walk the talk," what the "F" does that mean. Someone please tell me how you rehabilitate or atone for murder? The only thing Michael Vick is sorry for is that he got caught, and that's not me talking it was a quote from one of his talks to the school children. I was never comfortable with Vick on the team and now I'm not even sure they (the Eagles) deserves my support. It is so clear that they cannot even begin to understand what goes on in the real world and the rules/codes of conduct for living in our society. I want to give Vick another award, The ASSHOLE award and it's on the end of my foot. Unless something changes this is it for me. My love affair with the Eagles is OVER!

A Nice Present

What's the best present you could possibly get on your birthday? I don't know for sure, but a win against the Giants was pretty good for me. With about 15 minutes left in the day, it was a great way to end my birthday. I had many people point that out to me on Monday too. Hopefully Andy Reid has taught the team the basics of football over the week: 1.) Tackling 2.) Blocking. But it's ok, these guys are still learning...oh wait, no they aren't!!! They should be able to do these things!!!! Anyway, hopefully we will win against the 49ers...we SHOULD win...but you never know with this team.

GO BIRDS!

An Ugly Win

How do you spell dumb? O-N-S-I-D-E-S K-I-C-K. This game started out ugly from the opening kick-off. An onsides kick? Really? That is something a desperate team does. And as for David Akers and all the field-goals, as one fan said "Andy Reid must have David Akers in his fantasy team." The Eagles only scored two touchdowns the whole game. It was an ugly win, from the onsides kick to Brent Celek dropping passes, to our defense giving up 24 points to the Redskins. Hopefully our birds can win next week in Atlanta. If he is playing (not sure since he left the game with an injury today), it will be interesting to watch Matt Ryan face off against our defense. GO EAGLES!!!

Running Game?

I didn't think it was possible for a person to be so stubborn, but I was wrong. If Andy Reid ran the ball more than he did in the 2 previous weeks, our running backs would have a total of 2 touches. It's pretty funny to think that he is the only person who cannot see how running the ball seems to work. When we go tailgating, every fan can tell you they need to run the ball. The guy who sits behind me at the games can tell you they need to run the ball. The 8 year old who lives next door knows they need to run the ball. But do they? Nope! Oh well. Let's home for a running game to fall out of the sky and hit Andy Reid on the head!!


Let's beat the Bears in Chicago! Go birds!!

Violence in the Parking Lot Part II

There's gonna be another rumble in the parking lot on 151 St in the the Bronx this Thursday when the Fighten Phills fans clash with those lowlife, lowclass, mouth breathing, scumbag, Yankees fans. I expect a repeat of a different kind as the emotions are running high for the fans of both teams. I was a witness to the carnage the last time and I expect or of the same. Last Thursday I listened while the "Bell Man" (a Philly fan) ripped the Yanks Fans apart. He verbally gutted them like the cold fish that they are. I never thought that I would see so many New Yorkers stunned with no comebacks, zero, nadda, bupkis. I can only wonder what the "Bell Man" was like last night when he was on his home turf. I have been around a lot of loud mouths in my time, that's what you get when you hand in the parking lots, but the "Bell Man" takes the prize for snappy comments and witty repartee. See that I snuck in a French word, dem stinking frogs. No really I think there ought be a reality show that follows a fan as he supports his team. Of course that fan is the "Bell Man" sorry guys and his teams are the Phillies and Eagles. Hey Fox are you listening. I mean it would have everything I like in a TV program all those letters before it "LNMVS." But I digress I gotta get ready for the next trip to the Bronx. My friend says I need to bring a shiv so I'm in my basement grinding out a few, just in case. NOT that I advocate that kind of stuff, but you never know when your gonna run into a cold fish, a couple of times. That's all for now and I'll see you in the parking lot!

Violence in the Parking Lot

I' usually take the summer off from blogging but a story about violence in once of my favorite parking lots has forced me to break my silence. The incident took place over the weekend in Philadelphia outside the Citizens Bank ballpark. It seems a fight broke out in the bar and many patrons were ejected. They resumed the fight in the parking lot where a large group stomped two men. One was killed and the other hospitalized. Having been in those lots before and after games I wondered if I would feel different. Am I going to be looking over my shoulder or watching what I say or who I say it to. The answer is no as this was an isolated incident that quickly got out of control and I don't expect it to happen again. The parking lots are safe. What I can't fathom is why this group did not limit or stop their level of violence. What could the victim have done so wrong that a crowd would stomp him to death? The answer is nothing that really matters. It's just that people today are so used to seeing extreme levels of violence, they don't think twice about doing it for the slightest provocation. There was a time when this type of behavior would be considered cowardly and not acceptable in society. The sad fact is that "mob rule" seems to be more commonplace than ever. I am happy to report the police already have two people in custody. I can only hope that they round up everybody involved and charge them all! Let's enjoy our sports without inflict injury on those around us. I like my violence simulated.

The Proof is in the Pudding

My mom was fond of saying "The Proof is in the Pudding." I would always ask what does that mean? Mom in her wisdom would say "you can't tell the quality of something until you use it." That's kinda how I feel about the Eagles personnel changes. Everyone knows I'm a homer so it's no surprise I'm totally on-board with the draft selections and recent additions to the team. My spring mantra of "We going the Super Bowl" finally has some ring of truth. I mean we got all the holes filled and parts of the puzzle now, so it's just a moot point to play the games, right?
Well the truth is closer to "only time will tell." Playing rookies is a gamble and just because we rolled a seven with Jackson last year doesn't mean that we can do it again. This season rests on what, Andrews repaired knee being healed and the other Andrew's sister being sane? You know Humpty Dumpty the one who fell off the wall? Did all the Kings horses and all the kings men put him back together again? Would I bet the farm on another rookie receiver and tailback making the first team. Is B. West going to last the whole season and not disappear in the playoffs? Do I really think that Marty Mornhinweg is going to let Weaver run the ball. I read his comments about this "throwback fullback " in the paper. "Leonard is a true full back who has other skills.+9 He has good running skills well as pass receiving skills. So we'll try to put him in positions where he can get some success in those areas." I don't know about you but it sounds like Mary, I mean Marty is already planning to use him as a receiver and not the battering ram for B. West that they need. Maybe they should have signed "Randy the Ram." Now there's a guy who knows what he's good at. Let's not forget about the defense. I'm sure their won't be a problem finding a new heart and soul for the defense now that B. Dawk is gone. And I know that contract issues will go away once the season starts. Yea nothing like getting you brains beat in for less money that you think your worth to motivate you. So the more I think about it the more I see that the only way we'll be able to judge the value of these new Eagles is to see them used. I guess I hold off on booking that flight to the Super Bowl just yet. Maybe I'll just start with that first road trip to Carolina. I hear Cav's catering is running the tailgate party. How about you, what road trips are you going on?

Bye Bye Mr American Pie

Monday started out rough. As I read my emails I was jolted upright by the message that a fellow tailgater had passed away. His friend was asking for a picture I took at the tailgate party before the Phillie's Ring game. It was a group shot and he wanted to add it to the collage of pictures about the man's life.
Later that day I heard that Harry Kalas had died in the broadcast booth before the days game. I shed a tear, not because I knew the man or had some kind of relationship with him like the sportscasters on the radio.Not because it reminded me of all the friends, family and acquaintances that have passed. It was because I felt a piece of time had fallen out of my box. The present of time given to me as a small boy, filled with wondrous events too many to count or appreciate.
The box was huge and overflowing. I've got plenty of time! I'll look at it later and I put the box aside. Recently when I looked inside I was surprised to find the box was half empty. Where had all the time went!
So when I heard Harry fall out, I lunged to grasp and label him "Summer Time." As if that would somehow help keep my box full. But he slipped through my fingers like the quicksilver of my youth.
The voice of Harry Kalas was background music for the summers of my youth. Often found wafting out of the kitchen windows of every house on the block. A low steady hum that provided a gentle rhythm for the summer. A reassuring sound that when heard always made me feel at home no matter where I was. It was like the voice of your favorite uncle telling stories while your mom stirred pots on the stove. It was family and it was good! I'll miss you Harry Callis just as I'll miss my youth.
So the next time a mature individual seems to lecture you about the importance of a specific date or event. Don't write them off as a rambling old fart. Have pitty on them for you're looking at someone holding an empty box.

I'm Frank the Tank and that's how I see it.

Shot Through the Heart and You're to Blame

Shot through the heart and you're to blame, Joe Banner gives the Eagles a bad name, bad name.
Like a recurring bad dream that tightwad, penny pinching, *hole Banner is at it again. For Christ sake can't we get rid of him. Does he have any idea of the loss of leadership from his latest move with B. Dawk, or is it he doesn't care. Doesn't he know that without Brian and his can do attitude we wouldn't made the playoffs. Doesn't he know he just let go the only player to stand up for #5! Too bad it's not reciprocal. I just don't know what goes through that mans head. I know what I like to put through his head an arrow. As a fan these are the worst of times, losing a player who represents the heat and soul of your team is tough to take. I take no solace in the singing of another Andrews because it also signals the possible loss of my other favorite player big John. Lord knows there no leadership other than him on offense. So what we have to look forward to is a heartless soulless team molded in the image of Joe Banner. Andy get a clue or at least grow a pair in the off season. Whose team is it any why?

It's my Fault!

OK it's been a while since I've written and a long time since the Eagles last win. I don't know what their excuse is but mine is I'm superstitious. I didn't want to jinx them. I was afraid to say out loud what I was thinking inside (The Eagles are going to the Super Bowl) . I was afraid the Football Gods would hear me and strike my team down. So although I didn't say it out loud I was thinking and acting on it. I had made reservations for my flight, car rental, and hotel. Got some good rates booking early. The only thing left was to get the elusive Super Bowl ticket, and I was on-line watching every auction and tickets web site. Just aching to push the "Buy it Now" button. But the Football Gods were watching and punished me for my arrogance. Arrogance it's the freaking Cardinals for Pete's sake. Give me a break already. So there you have it. It's my fault and I swear I will never jump the gun again until the next time. Hey when does spring training start is it too early to jump on the Phillies bandwagon?