I understand the emotions which Jason Avant was expressing on Sunday night after the Eagles beat the Cowboys, but there was no reason for him to attack the fans for criticizing them as they got out to a 1-4 record. This was team was underachieving and giving games away. Even Avant was critical of himself and his teammates.
I remember him saying after the some of the games that they played poorly. Fans of the Eagles are still fans of the Eagles if they’re criticizing them.
Here’s part of the comments he made after the game.
“We look at home games like road games” Avant said after the game on Sunday. “We realize it’s going to be just these guys in the locker room, that’s the way we take it. We don’t want people jumping on our bandwagon now. We want people to go out and still talk bad about us.”
Eagles fans weren’t doing anything wrong for calling it like it was. One of the things that I love about Eagles fans is that they tell the truth. The Birds were stinking up the joint and they knew they were. There’s no way a team as talented as the Eagles should have a 1-4 record. I think an underachieving should be booed more than a team that doesn’t have the talent.
They had a ten point lead over the Falcons in the second half and they lost that game. They were embarrassed by the Giants and couldn’t score on four plays from a yard out of the end zone. How do you blow a 20-3 halftime lead at home and lose to the 49ers? He knows he can’t justify his fumbles against the Bills.
Nobody likes criticism even when it’s true, but he should play ball and refrain from accusing the fans.
Cuts both ways – if fans can set up signs across the street to express their opinions at the eagles slow start, Avant can say what he wants to express his opinion of the lack of fan base support to help them when they were down –
Eagles fans weren’t doing anything wrong for calling it like it was. One of the things that I love about Eagles fans is that they tell the truth –
really – you really think fans ‘call it like it is’ – the fans really said – wow, the eagles are playing bad but it is early in the season, lets get this turned around – the fans really said – we always start slow – watch us after the bye week – the fans really said – wow – 500 yards of offense, we get these red zone issues worked out cut down on turnovers we are gonna be killer – the fans really said – hey, new DC, new DL coach, some new players, its going to take a few games to get this train rolling down the tracks – cause that sounds more like the truth then the garbage I was reading on this site —-
Hell if we listened to 80% of the fans on here Castillo would have been fired – article from today –
There still is a lot of the season to be played, but for the moment, Castillo’s unit appears to have stabilized. The Eagles have given up just 20 points in their last two games, marking the first time they’ve held back-to-back opponents to less than 14 points since 2008, and the first time they’ve done it in back-to-back wins since ’04.
In the last 25 opponent possessions dating back to the second half of their Week 5 loss to Buffalo, the defense has given up just 23 points, held opposing quarterbacks to a 50.6 passer rating and allowed just 4.2 yards per carry after allowing 5.3 per carry in the first 54 possessions.
so the fans poked the eagles in the eye for playing bad – Avant poked the fans in the eye for being (my words here) – fair weather bandwagon jumpers – as I posted earlier – Avant get another 6/7 catches for 75 yards (no fumbles please) – he can tell me I am the worst fan in the world – hell – I will send him hate mail!
– can’t we just all get along man!
I missed Avant’s comments, but judging by what you posted G, I don’t see anything remotely close to an ‘attack’ of ANY sort.
And as far as ‘telling it like it is’. If people want to say ‘that games horrible, no excuse for that loss’ – that’s fine. It’s true. But many fans went far beyond that and made statements about what the team is, what the players are, and what the team will or will not do in the future. The fans who called the players bums, said the Eagles suck and were sure that they wouldn’t improve were not making comments about the games (including horrible ones), they were making comments about the team and the future – that’s not calling it like it is.
And I find nothing wrong with Avant’s comments – I think the players SHOULD ignore the fans as much as possible in any situation for any pro team. I can’t think of one argument that would suggest otherwise being benefitial to the team in any way.
Wait, if Navy and I are the same person, how were we able to post that much text within one minute, I’m confused….
@Navy & Schiller- yes sir fellas keep spreading, real talk!
Avants comments were to the unfaithful, unloyal, the half ass fans…the fans that are not true fanatics..this is only a story because G was one of these fans, had little faith in the team and the coaching staff, just like many of you….Avants comments addressed GCobb and all of the other doubters…being the god fearing man he is, I wouldnt expect him to rip into these fake ass fans as they deserve, but I applaud Avant for speaking on it.
Navy & Shill —–Same person.
We have known this for a while now.
Notice, Avant didn’t use the words ‘fan’ or ‘eagles’. Again, I didn’t hear it or read anything beyond Avant’s comments that G posted above, but he could have TOTALLY been speaking about people outside of Philly/ just the national perspective of the team.
Garry, please tell us how what Avant said was attacking or criticizing Eagles fans? As far as I can see, it wasn’t – at all. So why did you write a story as if it was?
@schiller – Gary wrote the story because he was offended, he felt like Avant was speaking to him…its as simple as that!
I wonder if guys like Avant were Kool-Aid drinking fans when they were growing up? Catch the ball, don’t get stripped, and STFU.
As far as loyalty goes, being a step-ford kool-aid drinking fool is BS. The team deserved every bit of criticism it received, even Reid agreed. They not only under-achieved and left themselves little margin for error, they did it in spectacular fashion with 20 point collapses. The personnel moves were terrible early on, the tackling and overall fundamentals stunk. I’m as loyal as a dog, but I’m not going to gloss over my team’s failures. I’m ready for Reid to be gone, there are good coaches that would kill to have this talent.
Songs and the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz —- Same person.
We have known this for a while now.
E – money – I don’t think anyone was ‘glossing over (the) team’s failures”. Nobody was in denail of what happened early this season. But some were going beyond their failures, and making statements about what the team is and what they can and cannot do in the future.
Just curious when we will see some articles about the upcoming game versus the Bears which only happens to be the biggest game of the Season.
What do the Eagles need to do to win their 3rd in a row and keep their Playoff Chances intact.. If the Eagles lose, then the last 2 Wins are meaningless and the Bears have beaten the Eagles the last couple of games and are coming off a BYE week and are rested and realtively healthy…
@ E -Money – Again criticism is fine especially when its constructive…But calling for Reid to be fired can be detrimental to the team, detrimental to the teams focus especially after the the lack of in week 2,3,4,5…I hear your points, but wanting Reid gone now?! just doesn’t make sense! you flirt with setting this franchise back 2-3 seasons by doing so.
lets clear something up, I wasn’t smiling ear to ear when we lost 4 straight nor was I smiling ear to ear when we made some of the personnel decisions, so glossing over teams failures doesn’t apply here…Point Blank, I wasn’t HAPPY! I was pissed off, I was disappointed and somewhat devastated…but you know what, it is what is, its the price you pay when you decide to become a fan of a professional football team.
So let me get this straight… fans are called kool-aid drinkers because they support their team NO MATTER WHAT! Amongst all adversity…..I call that FANS! That’s what fans do, they support their squad! How many times have you seen Avant commit a TO as an Eagle? I only recall this season, and you know what, sometimes shit happens!
your just another cat that was a little cut by Avant addressing the fake ass fans! Real Talk!
avant was wrong, Philly fans know their football, many knowledgeable posters here rightfully criticized their pathetic play, that’s what a fan does, he doesn’t sit back like a lemming, accepting the company line that it will get better, especially the way they were playing, show me you are better, avant should get roasted by the Philly faithful, a resounding chorus of boos
So let me get this straight Real? When a team blows games the way that the Eagles did and lose 4 straight games, we aren’t supposed to criticize what they are doing wrong. We should be happy with underachieving? That is not a real fan. That is an everyone gets a trophy fan.
What is your definition of support. Everyone was here every week breaking down the game. They stunk during those 4 weeks and people were not happy with it. They have played well the last 2 weeks and they have had a lot of support.
For Avant to say that their home games are road games is just ignorant. He didn’t single out fairweather fans as you state. He made a comment about all Eagles fans by saying that home games are like road games. That place was electric on Sunday night and it will be on Monday night too. How can a team’s fanbase be fairweather fans if they sell out all of their games and have tens of thousands on the waiting list? Pretty sure every jersey that i saw at the game was an Eagles jersey.
@bugs – read my last post! How about that!
No jakey chu – philly fans are legends in there own minds – I posted the stats a while back of 1) the most loyal football fans and 2) the most knowledgeable football fans – and ‘gasp’ Philly fans did not do so well in either category. Avant has every right in the world to be critical of bandwagon jumping, fair weather loving, negative when things are not going well assholes.
Funny pattern developing here – the use of terms ‘kool aid drinking’ step-ford wife, lemmings, accepting company lines – so here is the kool aid – love the eagles want to win a super bowl – stepford wives – I think means we all think and act the same – so yes, I like to hang out and drink beer and watch the eagles with fellow eagle fans that want the eagles to win a super bowl – lemmings – yes, I follow the other guys to that section of the bar where the eagles game is on TV and the men are wearing eagle jersey’s – I follow the eagles fantically – – company line – um…… what does that mean – that I will wear an eagles shirt, go to an eagles bar, and cheer for the eagles to win a super bowl,…… wow – Jakey chu – you are a rebel without a clue –
you get um –
I hate when people read half a damn post and then come at me with some nonsense..
Bugs to you have any intellect?
Home games are road games – meaning thats how the team plays on the field, its them against the world.
We don’t want people jumping on our bandwagon now – was addressed to those wanting his coach fired, saying the team sucks, calling him out when he committed a turnover….
I did, but I still don’t see your point. he is not calling out specific fans. He said home games are road games. I still don’t understand what you need by support. If a team loses close games, I am ok with it. If a team doesn’t tackle, can’t stop the run, can’t keep Vick on his feet and blows winnable games, then I have a problem with that and I am going to say it. That makes me a fairweather fan?
saying the team wont make the playoffs, calling for the coach to be fired…saying this player that player sucks…That is not supporting your team. its that simple!
Bugsy – so you really don’t get the difference between –
The Defense and linebackers in general need to play a lot better, do a better job in the red zone, and need to create some turnovers as opposed to:
Castillo is a failed experiment fire him – Allen and Coleman are ass – our LBs are the worst in the NFL – Casey ‘I get run over cause I suck’ Matthews was a wasted draft pick – we are going to get run over for 250 yards of rushing this week’ Reid is fat (gotta say that about 10 times – cuase many don’t know Reid has a wgth problem) Reuid can’t draft defensive players – wide 9 sucks – Graham is ass- since Rhpodes players left we suck-
you really can’t tell the difference between those two forms of communication?
“Bugs to you have any intellect?” I bet it says that you pay great attention to detail on your resume too.
I read your whole nonsensical post. I understand that it is them against the world. That means that you don’t trust/like an entire fanbase. How is that confusing for you?
The team did suck during those four games, and there is nothing wrong with pointing it out. It doesn’t mean that I hate the Eagles. Why would I be posting in an Eagles forum if I hated them?
I forgot some of my personal favorites – TE _________ (fill in blank) is going to be licking his chops, the eagles are going to lose ____ to ______ (a score with us having fewer points. I my honey bunches Drummer who now must remind all that for 13 years he has been denied his binky.
Yes, Navy I can, but that was not Avant’s comments.
“We look at home games like road games”
That is a shot at all fans.
I agree that stating that the team stinks without backing it up is not constructive, but the team did stink. Didn’t Allen and Colemen get benched? So pointing out that they played bad is not ok for us to do, but ok for the team to do?
So what you really want to do Navy is for this to be a forum where we are just less dramatic and not as passionate about our posts after the team blows a 20 point lead in the second half to the 49ers?
Bugs – poor form to comment on minor spelling error – your last line is an interesting note and one I have often pondered –
you are correct – the eagles did suck for 4 games – they were bad – we ALL agree – but by the same token, when I point out positives from the 4 games they suck, or refuse to throw in the towel on the season by KNOWING that teams that fire HC and DCs midseason typically mean they are giving the year up, I get the kool aid, stepford, lemming comments –
the issue again – is the constant non-stop chatter about last years draft picks and why watkins wasn’t one the field from day one, and fireman comments and the loss of Rhodes players and how the eagles never replaced Dawkins and on and on and on and very, very little to do with, the team sucked this week
you are typically very reasonable – I for one happen to think that when a team is down and struggling they need MORE support – could you imagine sitting in the film session on Monday following those loses? You really think the D enjoyed that quality time? Is you level of support directly related to the teams level of success? Are you a ‘if we don’t win the super bowl we are a failure’ kind of person?
So you would like people to be more constructive, so instead of we can’t cover the TE and instead of listing the TEs that have burned the Birds since Emmons left, we should say “man, they really need to work on covering the TE better.”
‘Philly fans are legends in their own minds” just outed yourself Schiller , I mean Navy as not being a “philly ” fan but a schill or lemming for this organization
G:
I agree with you. Jason’s a great pro, but he needs to keep his mouth shut about the paying fans. But we can take it, G. No biggie.
Bugs – way too many people confuse ‘passion’ with free ticket to be an asshole – if you have a valid point – make it – but constant comments on Reids belly (get in my belly!), making references to bringing tacos with respect to castillo, demanding people be fired 5 weeks in to the season, displaying not 1 ounce of patience and giving the team time to come together – do you honestly think the team did not, does not, or will not know they blew a game against SF – really – so you kicking them in the crotch does what? Shows your ‘passion’
And as I have posted at least twice – If Avant gets another 6/7 catches for 75 yards – he can say whatever the heck he likes – he can treat the game as if he is playing in New Zealand
Navy- I normally agree with getting personal, but he questioned my intellect first. That pretty much opens the floodgates.
Definitely not a SB or bust fan. I never accuse people of drinking the Kool Aid, because that would be the same as calling people who criticize fair weather fans. I love the 6ers (against my better judgement) because they go out and play hard every night. I know that they won’t win a title in the next couple of years, but they are fun to watch. I work at Drexel and it is the same with the Drexel Bball team. They aren’t going to win championships, but they play sound fundamental basketball centered on defense and rebounding.
Listen, here is where I stand. I want the team that I support to play hard and to play solid, smart football. If you lose a tough game, so be it. But if you continue to find ways to lose, then I get frustrated. I also get frustrated that they don’t seem to take advantage of matchups the way that other teams do until this week. They don’t make in game adjustments very well since Jim Johnson passed away. They don’t take advantage of one of the best RBs in football until the last 2 weeks. They don’t put their stud Cbs in a position to be successful until this week. I get frustrated when the decisions seem simple and they seem to over think them. Bear in mind that I recognize that what I know about football is 1% of what they know, but I just try to call it like I see it.
Jakey – its snack time – go take your milk and cookies and go out and play with all the other little boys, the grown ups are having a conversation
Avant was out of line. We don’t know what critism he heard, but the overwhelming complaints were directed at the coaching staff. I was and still am very leary of this group being able to coach 7 more 60 minute football games and get a win. I overlook many warts and spend too much time at this site and following the team, but football is great. It doesn’t mean I will listen the AR and the coaches make elementary mistakes on game day that I should ignore and not call them out. I’m not a stupid person and will not blindly be led to believe all the Eagles moves are correct and can not have my own opinion.
This site is full of guys like me, some smarter and mostly dumber(haha).
Bugs – its all good – one thing that I don’t think has been mentioned – we played Cooley and Whitten the last two games……………. didn’t hear much about them.
Drexel huh – I had a problem in the Navy back in 2001/2 a piece of shafting broke – one of the professors from Drexel was kind enough to look at some pictures of the two metal parts and tell me why he thought they failed – saved a young sailor from getting in trouble (every one thought he did a procedure wrong) when the Drexel prof said – nah – just fatigue (he had some snazzy engineering word) – did it for free and was happy to help –
mostly dumber jphalines
Witten yes. Cooley is pretty much done. Davis had 6 catches for 95 yards though. Maybe Nnamdi as the “spy” will work going forward. Defensive gameplan against the Cowboys was awesome.
I don’t understand any of the engineering terms either.
G always keeps it real. I think if anything he should be thanking the fans for motivating the team to play better. Even Andy Reid (as much as I bust his chops..lol) came out and said he understood the fans not being happy with this team’s play.
@bugsy – Ok, son, firstly I do not need a resume, I’m a computer engineer and have been full employed for the last 12 years at the same company. Excellent job security bud!
Excuse me for the typo, like a turnover in football, shit happens…and again, that’s another example of how damn nit picky some of you fans are…
However, if my comment did not apply to you then ignore it..it that simple…My comments were for the fans that were picking their TEAM to lose in prior weeks, even this past game, fans ON THIS SITE picked the Eagles to lose…Support your team…which is a shout out to your statement, of if you didn’t support the Eagles why would you post on this site) Kicking the team over and over while they were down, isn’t the problem solver. Support your team.
Also Bugsy, open the floodgates if you’d like…your really don’t want to tangle with RealTalk, I have jokes for days!
keeping it real has nothing to do with pointing fingers…If any of you cats were a member of the Eagles locker room, whenever a turnover occurred or a loss, you’d be blaming Reid, Vick, or Castillo. You’d destroy the team from within.
To believe Avant believes all Eagles fans abandoned them is absurd! I’ll say it again, his comments were strictly for those that threw them under the bus and wrote them off!
G I like Jason Avant but I don’t feel this is the time to make these comments. Stay focus on football. The way this team played their first five games was horrible. Just because you won two games does mean anything. We must win the next three games to have a chance at the payoffs. I want him to spend time watching film and preparing for these next three games. This is not the time to make comments about band wagon fans. Let you play on the field define who you are and then once you earn a winning records then you can shut people up. Vince Young started the Dream Team drama now the rest of the Eagles have to perform at a level to play up to these expectations. I’m pulling for the team because I love the Birds but if I can speak with Avant I would tell him to shut up and play football especially with a record of 3 and 4. These last two games the Birds have play their best football now its time to stay consistent and strive to earn a winning record!!!!!!!
I think that was more directed to the media then anything else, media talks alot of crap. I wrote an article about them with lebron james. Its one in the same with this team. Vince loud mouth young said he FELt like they were building a dream team, and since the media has hawked it and been obsessed with it.
I’m happy that it only took the coaches seven games to make adjustments like running the ball equally as much or more than passing and shortening the routes
of the receivers. Now only if they played bi-weekly, the sky would be the limit. Avant is one of the born again Christian players. He should forgive others as he would request being forgiven. 3-4 not bad for a slow starting team who hopefully is picking up steam.
For whateve it’s worth,
I will always support the Eagles (No matter the PLayres,Coaches) they play for the City and the Fans.. but I will not hesitate to call it like I see them, If they are playing like crap or making questionable roster decisions or game plans by the Coaches, then by all means, I will point it out.. It’s doesn’t mean I don’t love the Eagles any less, after all, we all as fans want the Eagles to Win a Championship and now that I am older (48 years old), I don’t have forever to wait and the old “we’ll go get them next year” The time is now and this Team is as Talented as they may ever be.. So I will rally behind my Eagles Team and support them as they continue their march to get into Playoff Contention.. This weeks Game is huge versus the Bears where neither team can really afford a loss and is almost like a playoff type of game.. Bears lose they fall 2 games behind the Lions and if the Eagles lose, they fall 2-3 games behind the Giants with a Division loss alreasy too…..
I gues he’s comfortable when he’s on the road fumbling away passes while the crowd is cheering….
guess.. my bad
Jakedog – “”Philly fans are legends in their own minds” just outed yourself Schiller , I mean Navy as not being a “philly ” fan but a schill or lemming for this organization”
Wait, so Navy saying something about Philly fans ‘outs him’ as not being a philly fan? So if I say, Philadelphians are notorious for saying words like “hoagie and water-ice” – that mean’s I’m not a Philadelphian? If Ray Lewis says “Ravens linebackers are notorious for hitting hard and making plays” – does that mean he’s not a Raven’s linebacker?
You are worse at logic than Tim Tebow is at NFL quaterbacking!
LOL before the fumble lost this year, Avant had only one fumble lost previous and that was in 06…when did everyone become perfect? I didnt get that memo…
I’m pretty sure what Avant meant by ‘we treat home games like road games’ is that as a player, you have to block out fan negativity while you’re on the field. If anyone disagrees with that, I say they’re clueless. When a player is on the field, negativity from fans can ONLY be a bad thing to have in mind.
I agree with Navy . He is a Philly fan who is a legend in his own mind.
BigE, you are a Gcobb legend of sarcastic haterism
The key to the Eagles wining this game is simple on offense keep running the ball with McCoy and stay with the short passing game thats gonna keep Vick clean and on defense only used the wide nine on obvious running plays and let the corners play man to man and passing downs double Forte with a linebacker and safety.
Maybe Avant meant it’s up to us 53 players in the Locker Room to get this turned around.. Not the Coaches,not the Media or Fans and whether we play on the Road or at Home.. It’s us players versus the world..