More than ever before this Eagles football team will have to perform under some tremendous pressure. It starts with the situations surrounding head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb. I could see this being their last go round together here in Philly.
Andy Reid is dealing with the fact that he's got a son who is currently in jail and another wearing a monitor around his ankle. His focus on football is great but there's no human being alive, who wouldn't be affected by these occurences. Andy's also as big physically as he's ever been and he's dealing with as much pressure as he's ever dealt with in his life. It's not a recipe for good health, it's more like a recipe for a heart attack. The season is approaching and you know that the expectations are high.
Reid will be spending countless hours in his office looking at tape trying to figure out strategies for Birds' victories, while simultaneously dealing with the anxiety of his sons' problems. His mind will be waundering back and forth from Eagles team problems, like penalties, injuries and turnovers to his sons' legal troubles. It's kind of ironic that the same media which has treated so many other nonsense stories as if they played a major part in games, is left to sit by and act like the problems of Andy's sons doesn't exist.
There's also major pressure on Donovan McNabb. You can tell by the way McNabb makes sure everyone knows that there's life after changing teams. It seems like he knows his days in Philadelphia are numbered. McNabb made it a point yesterday to say that he plans on playing until he's at least Brett Favre's current age. Donovan even made a comment about hoping he can stay with the Eagles as long as the Favre has been with the Packers. That's not going to happen.
McNabb knows he's on the outside looking in with regard to the Eagles future plans. Kevin Kolb is in place to take over at the QB position and Donovan knows that anything short of a great season will mean a change of addresses. You can believe the media will be asking questions about it all year long.
The pressure on Reid and McNabb could push them to a higher level of performance or it will knockt them off their games and doom this football team.
We were in and out of the Nova Care Complex yesterday. The Eagles Wednesday practices are closed to the public. Only one Eagles player didn't go through the entire practice. Guess who? Yes, you're right. It was Jevon Kearse who is nursing a sore shoulder. I don't know when he hurt it.
