Whisker Wednesday Poll

February 2, 2011

Whisker Wednesday continues with the Whisker Wednesday Poll: Which Super Bowl XLV Prop Bet Would You Bet Your Life On?

 

 

 

There are literally hundreds on insane prop bets for the Super Bowl each year and 2011’s crop is even more crazy than ever. There are now even cross-sport bets (like Blake Griffin’s total number of points and rebounds vs. the Packer’s total points scored).

If you want to hear some funny, degenerate gamblers discuss inane prop bets further, check out ESPN’s Bill Simmons’ latest B.S. Report with Cousin Sal. For our purposes, I think I’d bet my life on the Over of Brett Favre comments. You gotta love the “God” shoutout by whoever wins the MVP award. And if history has taught us anything, I’m laying the mortgage on Donny Mac loses his Texas-style BBQ all over Steve Young’s nice new tie.

Got another Super Bowl XLV Prop Bet you like? Leave them in the comments.

Coming soon… Mopey Monday (no more football)!

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Posted by Chase Wexler

Whisker Wednesday Clip of the Day

February 2, 2011

Green Bay Packer’s Linebackers Coach Winston Moss, a name that has not yet been crossed off the Eagles Defensive Coordinator cadidate list, appeared with Harry Mayes and Dan Schwartzman on the 97.5 The Fanatic midday show… And sold himself to the Philadelphia phaithful.

Listen to the interview here. You think Eagles fans would embrace this guys bravado or what? He’s certainly speaking to the Fire The Walrus Nation’s sensibility!

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Posted by Chase Wexler

Whisker Wednesday

February 2, 2011

Welcome to yet another wet, wild Whisker Wednesday! A lot has happened so far this week in Eagles Nation – including the completely unsurprising news that Michael Vick will receive the team’s Franchise Tag and Kevin Kolb will be shopped (more on this later today). Also, the Eagles made an actual Public Relations move, choosing to not raise ticket prices for next season (though if they made it further in the playoffs that probably would have been a different story). For now, let’s get right into it…

The David Akers Drama
A lot has been made this week about Andy Reid’s handling of David Akers in the aftermath of the playoff loss to the Packers, particularly since it was revealed that Akers’ six-year-old daughter was undergoing surgery to remove a potentially cancerous cyst. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Akers family.

For what it’s worth, Andy Reid shouldn’t be criticized for “throwing Akers under the bus.”

Yes, he made specific comments about the kicking game in both the press conference following the game and his day-after conference – offhandedly making a comment about only losing by five while leaving six points on the field. But if anyone should be blamed for the way the kicker performed on Sunday, January 9, it should be the Head Coach.

Forget about Akers’ missed 41-yarder in the first quarter – or his track-record of inconsistency kicking in the Linc – Reid should never have put his kicking team on the field for the play in question in the first place. The Eagles had a fourth-and-one at Green Bay’s 16 yard-line, down eleven points with about ten minutes to play. They were averaging 3.9 yards per carry and were actually succeeding in short-yardage situations… But still chose to kick. Even if Akers makes the field goal, the Eagles still trail by eight and are playing to tie, not to win. Guess who gets the blame for that?

Reid put Akers in a position to fail. Sure, a case could be made that Akers should have held himself out of the game, but what professional athlete (aside from Jay Cutler) does that? If Andy Reid had a Championship-mentality, he would have pounded the ball up the middle on that fourth-and-1 play and stuck it to the Packers. Instead, he sent a reeling David Akers onto the field and rest is history.

Should Akers be criticized for his performance? Not necessarily. He was dealing with deep personal feelings, and even if you’ve experienced something similar, you have no idea how those thoughts affected him. Some players thrive on tragedy (see: Favre, Brett and Reed, Ed). Others don’t. Should Reid have been more sensitive? Maybe. But we don’t know what really happened behind-closed-doors leading up to the game.

Again, if Andy had gone for the kill, rather than playing for the tie, maybe this whole point would be moot.

And the Defensive Coaching Clusterfuck Continues…
Joe Woods. Jon Hoke. At this point the Eagles Defensive Coordinator position comes down to Plans F and G.

Not a good start to drastically rebuilding a defense that gave up a franchise-record 31 touchdowns through the air. Though I’m still holding out hope for Darren Perry – the only Defensive Backs Coach the Eagles haven’t interviewed yet and a guy I singled out weeks ago (along with the Jets’ Mark Carrier) – this is becoming ridiculous.

One of the strengths of Andy Reid over the course of the past 13 years has been his ability to go into an offseason with a plan in place and execute that plan. Whether it has been big Free Agent targets, coaching moves, draft strategy – the Front Office typically gets their business settled early and easily (though the outcomes haven’t had the same consistency).  But this offseason so far has been a complete mess…

Firing and hiring coaches with no rhyme or reason. Interviewing any defensive coaching name they can get their hands on. They’re scrambling and it’s noticeably uncharacteristic. Clearly the plan was to simply install Dick Jauron at Coordinator, making for a seamless transition in a very uncertain offseason, but that blew up in their face. Now the team is stuck with whatever coach is willing to take the job.

ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio made a very interesting point yesterday on Mike Missanelli’s show on 97.5 The Fanatic… There is uncertainty in the league and with the Eagles. Coaches with good jobs, working for good organizations, won’t be so quick to uproot their families and move, partially due to the CBA issues, but mostly because they don’t want to take a job with a Head Coach that might not be there after this next season.

Now Sal Pal has mentioned his belief that this will be Andy’s last year in Philadelphia, barring a Super Bowl(*). But this goes deeper. Would coaches really not try to advance their careers solely because Andy Reid’s future may be in doubt? I find that hard to believe. If you’re a Defensive Coordinator in the NFL and you lose your job because of the Head Coach, chances are you’re getting another gig on the same level. Hell, even Sean McDermutt is still a Defensive Coordinator(**). And it’s not like they’d be taking a bad job. The Eagles (as much as it pains me to say it) are one of the top organizations in the league, the Offense has the ability to be fantastic, and the Defense can only improve, especially on a talent-level. That should be a sought-after job.

(*)And Fire The Walrus Nation rejoices!

(**)By the way… Somebody asked me: What happens if McDermutt succeeds in Denver? Well, it would prove that the personnel on this Eagles team is definitely below-average; that Jim Johnson really does produce top-notch coaching talent; and that Andy Reid is at fault, once and for all.

Speaking of Mike Missanelli
I want to give a special thank you to Mikey Miss for plugging our little space on the interwebs yesterday and discussing Monday’s piece on Andy Reid’s regular season record splits (hopefully audio of it is uploaded soon at 975TheFanatic.com).

Yesterday was a record-setting day here at FireTheWalrus.com and we welcome all of the new members of Fire The Walrus Nation! You won’t be disappointed… at least until the 2011 season ends with an interception and no Super Bowl.

Another wet Whisker Wednesday is just getting started. Check back later today for more icy fun!

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Posted by Chase Wexler

Reason #12 to Fire The Walrus

January 31, 2011

The Deceiving Regular Season Record

Andy Reid is a good coach.

I don’t disagree with that statement. The guy is the all-time greatest coach in Eagles history, records-wise – leading all Eagles coaches in wins, winning percentage, games coached, division titles, playoff games and playoff wins. His overall record speaks for itself: 118-73-1, a .618 winning percentage. Or does it?

Yes, Andy’s regular season record is impressive, but when you look deeper, the numbers seem slightly (or more-than-slightly) skewed.

Of the 192 regular season games played under Andy Reid, 103 have come against teams with a record of 8-8 or better, and 89 against teams 7-9 or worse. A pretty even split.

Andy Reid’s record/winning percentage versus losing teams: 70-18-1 (.787)

And Reid’s record/winning percentage versus winning teams: 48-55 (.466)

Those are telling numbers.

Sure, Reid’s winning percentage against losing teams is nearly 80 percent – meaning his teams beat the teams they’re supposed to beat. Of course, each season there is always one inexplicable lose, a game the Eagles have no business losing going in but but somehow come out on the wrong side (see: Raiders in ’09 and Vikings in ’10). For the most part, though, Andy Reid’s teams beat bad teams.

But they don’t beat good teams.

Here’s how it breaks down per season:

The four seasons of the Andy Reid-Donovon McNabb apex in particular, 2000 to 2004, stand out. The Eagles won 11, 11, 12, 12 and 13 games during that time-frame – dominating losing teams 41-5…  yet only going 18-16 against teams .500 or better. That five-year span saw some of the worst years of the NFC in league history – and the Eagles handled those teams rightfully so. But for some reason, they simply struggled against teams that were competitive.

It seems to have leveled off in recent years – the huge disparity between beating lesser teams and being mediocre against good teams – but at no point during Reid’s tenure have any of his teams been dominate against good teams. In fact, this past season was his best against winning teams – beating the Colts, Falcons and Giants as underdogs(*).

(*)Though – as I’ve pointed out before –  two of those wins (the Colts and the Giants) can be attributed to things Michael Vick did on the field that determined the outcome of the game.

Look at those winning percentages again. The team wins 78% of the time against bad teams and only 46% of the time against decent-to-good teams. That’s a 32% drop-off when the competition gets tougher. And it goes even further…

The Eagles have played 19 playoff games under Reid, winning 10 of them for a .526 winning percentage. Against teams with 8 or 9 wins in the playoffs, the Eagles are 4-1, with all four wins coming in the first round they played and the one lose against the Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game. The trend continues, as the team is 6-8 versus teams with 10 or more wins in the playoffs. That’s 80% to 43%, almost identical to their regular season splits.

Translation: the deeper they go in the season, the better the team they face, the worse the Eagles are.

That’s an abysmal trend, and certainly one you don’t want to see over the tenure of one Head Coach.Again, the 2008 NFC Championship Game was the tipping point of the Andy Reid-era. That’s the furthest he can go as a Head Coach. Unless he can get a 13-3 or better Eagles team to a Super Bowl against an 8-8 or worse AFC team…

It’s time to Fire The Walrus.

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Posted by Chase Wexler

NOT-SO BREAKING NEWS: Eagles to Franchise Tag Vick

January 31, 2011

Duh. In other news, the sky is blue, snow’s annoying and Andy Reid looks like a walrus.

More to come.

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Posted by Chase Wexler

NOT-SO BREAKING NEWS: Seth Joyner Wants To Be a Coach

January 29, 2011

Seth Joyner, one of the all-time greats in the long lineage of Eagles Linebackers, wants to get into coaching.

If Andy and Howie truly plan on building the new defensive coaching staff from the bottom-up, then hiring Joyner to coach a woeful linebacking corps would be the logical next move. But it more than likely won’t happen.

Since the day he bought the team from Norman Braman, Jeffrey Lurie has done everything in his power to move the franchise away from the identity it’s loyal fans loved. The Kelly Green uniforms (unfortuneately). The losing (thankfully). The smashmouth, bruising, violent defense (indefensibly). His tenacity for removing every visage of a time before he owned the team was unreal. I’m surprised he retired Reggie White’s number 92 without having to be begrudgingly talked into it.

So hiring Seth Joyner – someone who embodies those mean-streaked, bodacious, angry (particularly post-Jerome Brown) and vicious Buddy Ryan Defenses from the late-80’s/early-90’s – would be a complete 180 for the Lurie-regime. But it would be a brilliant coup for a team that sorely lacks that “us-against-the-world” mentality desperately needed on Defense, especially at Linebacker.

Joyner represents the type of Linebacker that the Eagles haven’t possessed since Ray Rhodes had Willie Thomas. The Ray Lewis and James Harrison-type of terrifying, violent monster that could change a football game by himself. Sure, Jeremiah Trotter was a Running Back-seeking missile, that would explode through the line of scrimmage and blast an opposing back for a three-yard loss, but he wasn’t quite the feared headhunter that teams had to gameplan for. That was Seth Joyner.

Last week I recommended that you read Mark Bowden’s Bringing The Heat.  Chapter 10, entitled Being Seth, explores Joyner as a person, his anger and his tumultuous personal relationships. As one  of the players most affected by Jerome Brown’s death, Bowden delves deep into Joyner’s psyche, which is battered and torn, and how that misery forced Seth to take on the leadership role that Brown left behind.

“The contrast with Jerome formed a study in leadership. Jerome didn’t try to lead and never saw himself as a leader. Joy just radiated from that dancing, cast-iron-furnace frame and neon grin. Jerome made you feel as if he were on a ride that was just so damned terrific that nobody would want to get left behind. Seth, on the other hand, made you feel like he was slogging through some sort of awful crusade; you could join him if you had the stuff for it, and if you didn’t? Well, fuck you.” – Mark Bowden, Bringing The Heat (page 286)

Yes, Joyner has a grating, polarizing personality. But isn’t that what this team has been missing? Doesn’t this Defense – that has been built on speed and finesse, instead of tenacity and brutality – need someone who could put “the dog” back into them? The Eagles Linebackers especially, need a mean streak. Stewart Bradley is a nice player, but Wide Receivers don’t fear him over the middle. Moise Fokou can “put a hat” on a guy, but Running Backs don’t go to the weakside just to avoid him.

Seth Joyner might not be a typical coaching candidate and his motivational methods may be crude, but he may just be what the Eagles need. He’ll get into the faces of the Offensive Lineman when they’re underperforming. He’ll smack DeSean Jackson upside his head for acting like a jackass. He’ll (hopefully) turn Jamar Chaney into a seething, headhunting lunatic, that makes Quarterbacks shake and Running Backs brace for a beating.

The Eagles need something to toughen up that soft spot in the middle of the Defense. There’s nothing tougher than Seth Joyner.

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Posted by Chase Wexler

Whisker Wednesday Poll

January 26, 2011

Winter Weather Warning Whisker Wednesday (Yeah alliteration!) continues with the Whisker Wednesday Poll: At this point, who should be hired to coach the Eagles’ Defense?


At this point? I would take Trgovac or Perry (but, as I said earlier today, I highly doubt Trgovac leaves Capers’ side), but that’s where the fascination with the “legendary” Mike Holmgren has to end. Seriously, Walrus, enough with the former Holmgren castoffs… The guy only won one Super Bowl, how is he such a beloved deity? Go outside the “Brotherhood of the Mustachioed Coaches” and cherry pick someone from Dick LeBeau or Rex Ryan’s stable.

Speaking of the Ryan family… I would take Buddy Ryan (at age 76), Buddy Ryan’s dog or Buddy Ryan’s third-cousin to remake the sorry Defense the Eagles have put out on the field the past two seasons. Watching the Championship games on Sunday was so frustrating. If the Eagles had any semblance of a real Defense in 2010 – and Vick doesn’t throw that awful underthrow to Cooper – who knows what this team could have done.

As for “Weekend at Bernies”-ing Jim Johnson… I don’t recommend it.

Got another suggestion for a Defensive Coordinator candidate? Leave them in the comments.

Coming soon… Flipper Friday!

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Posted by Chase Wexler

The Best Offense Is a Great Defense

January 26, 2011

There’s an age-old football adage that everyone knows well, and has heard over and over again – a saying that The Walrus should have tattooed to his forehead… Defense Wins Championships.

Is it a cliché? Maybe. But man, does it certainly hold true.

In less than two weeks, either the Steelers or the Packers will be crowned Super Bowl Champion. This really shouldn’t come as a surprise – no, not because we all follow football and haven’t been living under a snow mound for the last week – but, because both teams rely on the tenacity and strength of their Defenses. Sure, both teams needed big plays from their All-Pro Quarterbacks in big moments in order to advance this far – and got them – but the reason these two teams have gotten to the pinnacle of the sport is their stout defensive play.

Pittsburgh and Green Bay – as I mentioned earlier today – had the 2nd overall and 5th overall defenses, respectively, during the 2010 Regular Season. Both teams suffered (what should have been) devastating season-ending injuries to key offensive players – Tight End Jermichael Finley and Running Back Ryan Grant in Green Bay, and Offensive Linemen Max Starks and Willie Colon in Pittsburgh – and took a dip during the middle part of the year. But they both stayed buoyant thanks to guys like James Harrison and Clay Matthews, Jr., Ike Taylor and Charles Woodson, Brett Keisel and B.J. Raji… I didn’t even mention Troy Polamalu or Cullen Jenkins, who were both injured for good chunks of the season.

The point is this: a great offense can carry you through a 16-game Regular Season, but when the Postseason rolls around and every single possession matters, its Defenses that truly shine. Let’s examine the past ten Super Bowls, going back to the 2000 season, when the Baltimore Ravens brought Defense back in vogue.

 Super Bowls since 2000:

  • 2000 – Super Bowl 35
    Baltimore Ravens – 2nd Defense; 16th Offense
    New York Giants – 5th Defense; 13th Offense
  • 2001 – Super Bowl 36
    New England Patriots – 24th Defense; 19th Offense
    St. Louis Rams – 3rd Defense; 1st Offense
  • 2002 – Super Bowl 37
    Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1st Defense; 24th Offense
    Oakland Raiders – 11th Defense; 1st Offense
  • 2003 – Super Bowl 38
    New England Patriots– 7th Defense; 17th Offense
    Carolina Panthers – 8th Defense; 16th Offense
  • 2004 – Super Bowl 39
    New England Patriots – 9th Defense; 7th Offense
    Philadelphia Eagles – 10th Defense; 9th Offense
  • 2005 – Super Bowl 40
    Pittsburgh Steelers – 4th Defense; 15th Offense
    Seattle Seahawks – 16th Defense; 2nd Offense
  • 2006 – Super Bowl 41
    Indianapolis Colts – 21st Defense; 3rd Offense
    Chicago Bears – 5th Defense; 15th Offense
  • 2007 – Super Bowl 42
    New York Giants – 7th Defense; 16th Offense
    New England Patriots – 4th Defense; 1st Offense
  • 2008 – Super Bowl 43
    Pittsburgh Steelers – 1st Defense; 22nd Offense
    Arizona Cardinals – 19th Defense; 4th Offense
  • 2009 – Super Bowl 44
    New Orleans Saints – 25th Defense; 1st Offense
    Indianapolis Colts – 18th Defense; 9th Offense

Over the past decade, the Super Bowl winner has averaged the 9th ranked Defense and the 14th ranked Offense during the Regular Season, while the loser has averaged the 10th ranked Defense and the 7th ranked Offense. In seven of those ten Super Bowls, the team with the higher-ranked Offense lost.

To further that point, teams entering the Super Bowl with the number one-ranked Offense have won just one-out-of-four championships. St. Louis (2001), Oakland (2002) and New England (2007) each lost the Super Bowl with the league’s top offense. New Orleans is the only team to win a championship with the 1st overall Offense – and they beat the Colts, the only other team over that timeframe to win a Super Bowl with a top-three Offense and a Defense that ranked outside of the top-ten. Conversely, the top-ranked Defense has not lost a Super Bowl (Pittsburgh in 2006, Tampa Bay in 2002 and Baltimore in 2000).

Long-story short… no matter how beat-up a team is, or how poor their Offense may be (see: Dilfer, Trent), if they have a top-five defense, they can beat any Offense. Yes, I realize there are exceptions – the 2001 Patriots and the 2006 Colts – but the rule holds pretty true (besides, that Patriots team is one of the all-time flukiest Super Bowl Champions, and the Colts won because Rex Grossman killed the Bears – polar opposite of how the Ravens didn’t allow Dilfer to shoot them in the foot).

So what does this have to do with the Eagles? Well for one thing, The Walrus’ entire football philosophy centers around the idea of Offense: getting the most snaps possible, gaining the most yards, scoring the most points. It does not take into account the fact that the best offense is a good defense. Coincidentally, the strongest Eagles’ teams under Reid (2002, 2004 and 2008) all had Defenses ranked in the top-ten and reached (at least) the NFC Championship Game. Reid’s two best offenses (ranked 2nd overall in 2006 and 2010) couldn’t even make it past the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Andy Reid strives to have the number one Offense every year. The team has broken franchise records for points scored six times during Reid’s tenure and re-written the franchise’s history books in terms of Offensive production over and over again. But there is still no championship trophy in the Lincoln Financial Field Headhouse. No Super Bowl win to be proud of. No comeback for when the Steelers and Cowgirls fans rub their rings in our collective face.

The number one ranked Offense gets you points, highlights, accolades and possibly a bye in the playoffs. But the number one ranked Defense gets you a Lombardi Trophy.

It’s time to change the organization’s philosophy. It’s time to Fire The Walrus.

2 Comments | The Walrus | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Chase Wexler

Whisker Wednesday

January 26, 2011

Happy Snowy Whisker Wednesday Eagles fans! While we shovel off the Andy Reid effigy out front, enjoy today’s upperlip-follicles of fun.

  • It’s great that “Offensive Coordinator” Marty Mornhinweg is down at the Senior Bowl scouting talent to improve an already potent, high-powered offense – as opposed to scrambling for a job with another team. But besides a Guard or two, a Tackle and possibly a Quarterback-of-the-future, what does the number two ranked Offense really need? Ray Didinger (a man who has forgotten more about football than anyone of else will ever know), makes a great and simple suggestion for fixing the line – which includes signing a “blue chip” Free Agent Guard like Logan Mankins (if he’s available) and moving the other pieces into their natural positions (Right Tackle for Herremans; Right Guard for McGlynn). The only issue is banking on Jamaal Jackson’s health.

    Regardless, wouldn’t the Eagles be much more inclined to be scouting talent for the Defense – considering they only need to fill spots at every position, including two, if not three new Linebackers. But I guess that’s hard to do when you don’t even know who the coach will end up being.

    Speaking of which…

  • Another week gone by, still no Defensive Coordinator. Not that that’s surprising though. For those keeping score, that’s now Jim Mora, Jr., Dick Jauron and Dennis Allen all declined; Rob Ryan and Bill Davis were never given a real chance; Dick Lebeau and Mike Pettine, Jr. are pipedreams. But no need to worry… It’s clear that the next Eagles Defensive Coordinator will be coming from either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Green Bay Packers – the two Super Bowl teams who’s Defenses rank 2nd and 5th, respectively.

    I’ve already pointed out Packers’ Secondary Coach Darren Perry and Jets’ Line Coach Mark Carrier – whom the Eagles should certainly give a look – and Daily News Sports Columnist Paul Domowitch adds a few more names to that list, including one that’s been mentioned more and more the past two weeks: Mike Trgovac, Packer’s Defensive Line Coach. Unfortunately, like Pettine in New York, Trgovac doesn’t seem inclined to leave his current post. But you never know.

Coming later today – besides your Whisker Wednesday Poll, of course – we’ll take an in-depth look at how the old saying, “Defense Wins Championships,” holds up in the modern NFL. Stay warm. Stay safe. Stay furious (at Andy Reid).

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Posted by Chase Wexler

Reason #1,018 to Fire The Walrus

January 25, 2011

The Terrell Owens Debacle

Aside from the late-80’s/early 90’s Reggie White-era underachieving Eagles, this has got to be the most frustrating and infuriating episode in Eagles history.

The whole Terrell Owens-on-the-Eagles thing felt doomed from the start(*). We all remember the long, drawn-out soap opera (including his agent, David Joseph, forgetting to file papers voiding the final two years of TO’s 49ers contract, the “trade” to Baltimore, the subsequent protest and arbitration) that famously culminated with TO signing a seven-year, $49 million deal with the Eagles on March 17, 2004.

(*)I was “in college” at the time – meaning I sat in my apartment all day, not going to class, getting stoned, watching movies and furiously following every move the Eagles made. I’ll never forget turning to my roommate after the whole Eagles-TO acquisition finally played out and (honest to God) saying “this isn’t going to end well.” I think it was due to the fact that McNabb and Owens instantly became best friends in an odd, forced way. Watching the two of them playfully joke around during interviews on ESPN almost felt like watching a Hollywood sham-marriage – where two stars are “set-up” by publicists to further an agenda (ie. Tom Cruise not being gay).

2004 was one of the most memorable and exciting Eagles seasons ever. Thirteen wins, the most by any Philadelphia Eagles team. The third-highest point total in franchise history (at the time). NFC Champions for the second time in franchise history. The team that finally got over the hump and went to a Super Bowl – though unfortunately without finishing the job.

With the 8th ranked scoring offense (would have been in the top-five had TO not broken his ankle in Week 15 and Reid not sat his starters in Weeks 16 and 17) and the 2nd ranked scoring defense, the 2004 Eagles were arguably the best Eagles team to ever take the field. But then the 2005 offseason happened, and everything fell apart.

After playing the Super Bowl on that semi-healed broken ankle – miraculously catching nine balls for 122 yards, but not getting into the endzone – and realizing that the “$49 million” contract he signed the previous year was only worth $20.27 million, TO signed with superagent/superasshole Drew Rosenhaus and demanded a raise. This led to:

  • The Eagles balking, and rightfully so. Though Owens was definitely a top-ten NFL receiver, he wasn’t paid like it. But he signed the contract the Eagles offered him and nobody held a gun to his head to do so.
  • Owens taking shots at McNabb’s Super Bowl choke-job, and rightfully so.
  • Owens attempting to play in the NBA Summer League with the Sacramento Kings, and the Eagles denying him.
  • Owens threatening to hold out, but not following through, choosing to submarine the team’s season instead.
  • Owens wearing a Michael Irwin jersey following a brutal loss in Dallas, just to piss off the fans.
  • Owens continuing his assault on McNabb, dividing the Eagles locker room.
  • Owens and a retired Hugh Douglas coming to blows in the locker room in front of the team.
  • The Eagles not celebrating Owens’ 100th career touchdown reception, leading to TO calling the Eagles “a classless organization,” and rightfully so.
  • The Eagles suspending Owens for four games for conduct detrimental to the team and then deactivating him for the remainder of the season.
  • Owens’ famous driveway sit-ups.

Whether TO was deserving of a raise or not is beside the point. The Walrus, The Devil and The Billionaire allowed their diva wide receiver to hijack a championship-caliber team at the height of its talent, causing an irreversible divide in the locker room and officially outing McNabb – a supposed leader – as a big puss who couldn’t fight his own battles(**). Even worse, the mess was documented on a national stage. Owens was the lead story on ESPN on a daily basis and his antics totally outshined an Eagles team that went 6-10 in 2005.

(**)Though the turmoil did give us the classic Sam McNabb “Black-on-Black crime” line, so at least we got that.

Sure, the Andy Reid-led Eagles have been back to the playoffs four times since 2004, including one NFC title game appearance, but the Terrell Owens debacle was the unraveling of the Reid-era Eagles.

 

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Posted by Chase Wexler

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