Our First Look At The Chip Kelly Era Takes Place Tonight

It has been over seven months since the last time we witnessed the Philadelphia Eagles take the field.  42-7 was the final score.  We lost to the New York Giants; at home, with what we thought would be an emotional effort for the anticipated last game of Andy Reid’s tenure as coach.  You recall watching that game?  Maybe you were at the game with your children, your spouse or group of friends as tickets were practically being given away.  Why is it that when I look at the final score and the 4-12 finish to the season, my stomach feels sick?  Why is this writer bringing up the past, it’s a whole different team, new coach, players, etc.  I’m simply using my last memory and all of the steps this franchise has taken to return football to my soul which will forever bleed green.

I find myself still fueled with anger for what we all were forced to support as our 2012 football team.  We were an embarrassment; became the laughing stock for teams moving past us towards playoff and championship contention.  Players and coaches were released randomly throughout the season.  We had players turning on one another in the locker room.  We had a coach who took the podium for post-game interviews that I simply felt for, not as a coach but as a man, a father, I saw how beaten down he was.  Football became secondary to many players who suited up for the Philadelphia Eagles.   For a city and a fan base who entrench themselves in this gladiator sport, we looked at one another for answers; how did we fall so far from where we once stood?  How long is the wait going to be until we return to a respectable team?

For every question mark that is your Philadelphia Eagles team, another unanswered void begins to surface.  Certainty is far from reach with several starting roster positions which our new coach voices as “open for the taker.”  Tonight is the first opportunity for the product on the football field to reflect who this team is.  Who they are and what they should be is contradiction.  This is no longer a team under the leadership of Eagle legends and proven veterans like years past.  This team is no longer one that will bully an opposing defense with the ability to score at will.  Our defense scares nobody. Intimidation; please, I feel opposing offenses line up and chuckle at our secondary.

The Eagles have turned to “trash talking” and “swagger” as their young and unproven identity.   Hit somebody, lay them out, make them fear your presence when they feel comfortable going across the middle in traffic to catch a pass.  Stiff-arm a guy, want the ball more as it’s thrown up for grabs, out-muscle the defender and act like you’ve done it before.  Take your job seriously, and leave everything out on the field.  Responsibility for your actions, do not let us see your chuckling on the sideline when getting blown out.  Don’t pretend like you belong, show that you belong.  Until the whistle sounds, finish the play, and if your uniform is clean after the victor is decided, you better only be the kicker or punter for this football team.

To those who will read my articles moving forward, Philadelphia Eagles football is an entire personality that beats inside of me; and I look forward to sharing it with you through the good times and the bad.  Tonight, put your jerseys on and re-connect with the Chip Kelly lead Eagles.  Watch the no-names in the fourth quarter when it feels like a scrimmage, these no-names could very well be large contributors on whether this season becomes one of re-building or a post-season run.   Game-time, the Philadelphia Eagles are back.  E! A! G! L! E! S!