My first Eagles game

I can still remember the first Eagles game that I went to with my Dad. It was the most exciting thing that had happened to me that year. I was 14yrs old and fully understood the rules of game and anything that I had a question on was easily answered by my dad.

As the day approached I got more and more excited about actually getting to see my favorite team play in person. It was so exciting to think that I was going to be in the stadium where the magic happens. I’m sure my dad was just as excited since he had not been to a game in a long time either. It was going to be a special time for a father and daughter.

Once Sunday arrived we started our day off as usual, going to church in the morning. Something we do every week, and since the game was a night game it worked out that we did not have to rush through our day to try and get to the stadium. After church we went home and got something to eat and began to prepare for the game. The seasons were changing and it was going to be cold during the game which meant we needed layers. Layering up in was not debatable especially since my mother would not let us leave the house unless she knew we would be warm. Regardless of my dads clothing, he was an adult and could handle the weather,  my mom was not trying to let her daughter freeze in a football stadium. So needless to say I left the house like Ralphie’s brother from a “Christmas Story”. Despite the ridiculous amount of layer I had on I was prepared for a great time.

Driving to the game me and my dad were analyzing who we believed would win this game. They were played the Packer that Sunday, and had a good shot of winning. Well at least that what I was hoping. Even as a child I was pretty superstitious about watching games at home. I believed moving off the couch at any time except half time would cause some horrible turnover or bad set of downs. So staying strong even when I had to pee was something I got use to. I stuck with my superstitious ways even when it was difficult. Going to the game I knew could only be positive because I would be able to channel positive energy to the team to help them win. Although I was young I felt like these things were true. To this day I rarely move on the couch or bed since I am in school now while watching an Eagles game. Sometimes old habits just die hard.

Getting to the game we had to walk forever because parking is always crazy during game-day. There was no time for tailgating which was kind of sad but I was more excited just to watch the game. I got my program so I could have something to save from the game along with the ticket. As we walked into the stadium it was amazing to see how big it actually was. When you watch the games on TV you never really understand how big the stadiums really are; that is until you have been inside one. I was amazed to say the least. Looking around at all the different fans dressed in their own specific Eagles attire. People’s faces were painted; huge helmets were on their heads, bird masks, along with tons more creative Eagles apparel you could think of. It was such a sight for a little girl but I loved it.

Once we were seated and the game began the environment just got more exciting. After all the players took the field and you get to see the start of the game and the ball is being kicked off it becomes real. You realize this is what you’ve always been seeing on TV. After that I began to realize how different watching a game on TV is from watching it in the stadium. You can not see all the intricate plays and moves that the players make after a catch. That yellow line that indicates how far the first down is was not there, which I knew but is not something you realize until you don’t see it. The sideline markers are still there but it does make it easier to judge a rushing play.

           

As the game continued play after play it just got more exciting. Enjoying the players touchdown dancers on the big screen was so cool. Also watching the extra point being kicked through the up rights was amazing. There were no commercial breaks during time outs it was just you and the field the whole time. You got to see the cheerleader’s performance and the mascots entertain the crowd. Aside from the amazing game that was played the environment of the stadium was something like no other. All the loyal fans was also something that was to not be forgotten. people always say Philadelphia fans are the best out there. That night I realized it was true. Any fan from the opposing team was taunted the entire game. You would have also thought everyone in the stadium that was an Eagles fan was related because of how friendly they act to each other. After every touchdown or field goal people   Being there with my dad was also something so special that I will never forget it. I know my dad was enjoying this special time with me as well because this was the first football game I ever went to and I was able to enjoy this time with my dad. He was able to answer the questions that I had about different plays that I had never seen before and help me learn other football tactics that could only be seen in person. I was such a great experience.

Finally once the game was over and the Eagles came out victorious I went home happier that ever. I got to see my favorite team and players storm the field and dominate the game. They came away with a win and I was able to see everything first hand. I already had a love for the game but this experience with my dad added even more to my passion for sports in general and especially a deep love for football. 

Vick > Young

         This week I analyzed a blog from a NFL nation blogger on 's website. Dan Graziano wrote up a good blog to explain the situation that the Eagles are in by choosing Vick or Young for starting quarterback for the rest if the season.         

         Life with out Vick, huh that sounds like a travesty. Well I believe it is far from horrible to hear these words. Although you do not want to accept that the half a million dollar man will be sitting on the bench for another week you realize who you have brought in to cover such times. Times like this is why Andy Reid and the rest of the Philadelphia Staff have made sure we had an appropriate back up for our quarterback. Vince Young seems like he will be more than willing to take this position. After shaking off the cob webs from his almost year off from playing football, he lead this team to a HUGE win against the New York Giants. Just when people counted us out as a team the Eagles are able to turn things around.   

When you have nothing to lose but everything to gain your team plays do or die football. Having the on going rivalry of the Giants to fuel your fire will also help your team in the quest for a win, and win we did. The game last week was a great game. From all ends it was a defensive battle for both side and it came down to who was able to make the drives down the field and capitalize with points in the end zone or through the up rights. If it was not for the final interception with about a minute and thirty seconds left I honestly believe that the game would have gone into over time. Although the Eagles defense came to prove a lot last Sunday and getting the final interception was just the icing on the cake.

            I have to agree with Graziano though replacing Young with Vick as the starter even when Vick comes back off of injury is the wrong this to do. We have stock in Vick and trust that he can lead this team to where we want to be. It is extremely unfortunate that his is out on injury at the moment; this is why we have Vince Young. He was able to lead us to the victory we needed when Vick was out. All good things must come to an end though. Looking at the struggles we are having it is understandable that people are getting excited. Knowing us Philadelphia fans we are super hot and cold. With a win against the Giants you better believe we are HOT right now. So the Eagles being hot is the reason many people believe that Young should continue to start, but you need to realize who is leading this team its Vick not Young.

            I think that Dan outlines a lot of correct points within the blog that the fans of Philadelphia know and understand but are still on a high note from the win on this past Sunday they aren’t thinking logically. We can not just think that Young pulled us through this game because he didn’t. The defense really came to play on Sunday and they helped us pull out this victory.

            There is a long road ahead of us if we are even going to think about playoffs, but taking it one day at a time with do or die situation for every game might just be in our favor. 

peaceouteverybody!

Picking up the missing pieces

I think the bye week did the Eagles a world of good, I’m sure they were able to just take a week to rest and get their plans together for the rest of the regular season. Bye weeks also allow you to get a look at you competition for the rest of the season. While they play you are able to watch and take notes. The media also constantly tires to keep bringing up the issue of the 5 lost the Eagles suffered early, but as almost all the player have said those games are in the past. The past is the past and moving forward is the only thing that can happen at this point. We can’t take back the rough fourth quarter endings to a few hard fought games, the only thing is to make sure that future fourth quarter becomes the defining factor of your teams ability. 

 

NFL.com - EASING OUT OF THE BYE (EAGLES)

Toward the end of this video they speak of the anger that Asante Samuels is facing from being up for grabs before the trade deadline was finished. Like anyone who basically just got told you may be getting traded feelings were hurt. The actions taken by Asante were justified, nothing he said was out of line he was simply just expressing his feelings. But I do think the comment brought up by one of the analyst was very true. If the Eagles were having a better season the comments made by Samuels would have never been blown up as much as they did. People always seem to look past the problems a team is having if they are winning but the second they start to lose all the microscopes come out.

So I do hope everything works out with the team and Asante, because I do think his skills are a value to this team. I’m hoping things smooth over soon because it will be the best thing for everyone on the team. Let’s also hope this week against Cowboys turns out SUPER POSITIVE!!  

Same thing just a different week

As you can see from the title, once again the Eagles found a way to mess up the game and take their fourth loss this season. They played the Buffalo Bills this week and this year we all know that the Bills have stepped up their game. They are no longer the team that can be easily defeated like they were in the past. This might be true but I wish it didn’t have to be while they were playing my team.

For some reason the Eagles cannot utilize the weapons they have acquired before the season started in a positive way. We are not a bad team which I think has to be the worst part. There simply is no excuse for the way that we are playing. Vick had FOUR INTERCEPTIONS! in this game and each of them more costly than the next. The Bills would not have been so successful on offense if we weren’t turning the ball over so many times putting them in perfect field position.

This game had so many things wrong with it I cannot even begin to explain it all. The defense started to get their act together way to late in the game. On specific area that was lacking was the red zone defense. I remember a time 2 or 3 years ago where our red zone defense was top 5 in the league. Now especially after this game we are probably in the top 10 worst in the league.

The only word that seriously describes this season so far is unacceptable.

If you look at the Eagles and Vikings side by side you see that both teams have the same record but have completely different paths for how they reached this point. The Vikings struggled for their first win for the last four weeks and finally got it this weekend. They couldn’t be happier and are ready to continue on a good streak. On the other hand the Eagles are on a four week losing streak. They are surely hoping for a turnaround before the bye week. These next two wins are especially important because they are both divisional games. So these games more than the others will have an effect on their placement within the division along with playoff hopes.

I still have not given up hope but I need that silver lining to appear quick before the storms clouds take over completely and all hope is lost.

peaceouteverybody!

Frustration builds

So I know you guys didn't think I wasn't going to talk about the embarrassing game that was played Sunday in Philadelphia right. Trying to suppress these last few weeks has been hard but I still have faith because I am a diehard fan. Even though it hurts real bad to keep watching my team lose, I know there is still time to get it together. Unlike some of these people who claim to be fans but on the first sign of a little failure they are ready to jump ship and shot the captain. These people are weak because at the first sight of some success they will be right back to cheering and being happy.

The only thing that honestly really irks my soul are all these stupid Giant, Jet fans, and anyone else who just constantly think it’s necessary to remind me when the Eagles lose. The first thing they are saying is that the Eagles suck, oh their such bums but seriously I just want to know why the Eagles are at the top of everyone's conversation list? People keep saying Dream Team my ass but to be honest we never said we were a Dream Team! That was all the media hyping up the players that were acquired during the off season and free agency. Is it wrong that we are trying to build up our team to be better than last year? NO! it's not because guess what every other team is doing the same thing!! How do you think the Bill and Lions have gotten so good out of nowhere it is because they were smart in the off season. So when people say dream team we just say a better team. Who doesn’t hope that bringing in better players will help achieve the ultimate goal of winning the super bowl? Every single team’s goal when the season starts is to be at the end when it’s all said and done to be able to hold that trophy high to say we won. So again I asked you why we are so hated. Why is it everyone's concern that we lost? God forbid we didn't get a Desean Jackson 80 yard punt return like seriously I am so tired of other people minding our business.

At the end of Monday night football 16 teams have won and 16 teams have lost. Why does it always feel like everyone forgets about the other 15 teams and is so focused on us? I know that I am ranting but I had to let this out. It has been bottled since Sunday after the game; I even had to go to the gym for a run because I was that stressed. Oh and I can't forget the argument I had with a girl I don't even know on twitter because she was talking trash about my team but yet didn't have her facts straight. Clearly I had to put her in check and let her know about herself.

But looking at the game I was very annoyed because to start we missed 2 essential field goals which could have won us the game. And we suffered from so many penalties that caused us to lose precious yards, or to give over huge yardage opportunities for the 49ers. I'm not saying that the Niners are a bad team but IT’S THE 49ERS! There is no reason we should have lost to them. Over the years they have not shown much improvement and the only thing that they have going this year is they have our amazing field goal kicker in David Akers. I still can't figure out why they let him go because this kicker we have now Alex Henry is a rookie who needs to find his big boy pants quick. AND! When that idiot Ronnie Brown thought he were all the sudden a QB trying to make a lateral throw in all that traffic?! Did he not think it was going to result in a turnover??!! I was so mad and I swear he would have been benched the rest of the game for sure if I was the coach!

Moving on, that is the motto for this week. I am letting it all go and focusing on the future which I have my finger crossed will be more positive. Still love my team! Bleed green till I die.

Before I finish I didn't want to cover penalties in the post before this but it was way too long so I’m going to add it into this one. The amount of penalties this week was out of control! Lions could have easily had the win over the Cowboys but kept facing 10 and 15 yard penalties to push them back or push Dallas forward. The Eagles we already know faced way to many penalties. The main one was a face mask right when you’re on a scoring drive? 15 yards is serious and something that drops spirits. The Texans killed me during their game they missed out on 2 TD's because of careless penalties. These are just the basics that have to be covered in training camp. For players to make these careless mistakes is unacceptable. We know games get heated but you need to keep your cool and realize that one wrong move can cost BIG when you least expect it.

OK everyone I’m done going on my rants and catching everyone up from this week, see everyone in week 5!

peaceouteverybody!