All the former Eagles players were joking around as the team’s organizers tried to get us in line for introductions yesterday at the Alumni Celebration during the team practice at Lincoln Financial Field yesterday, which was the first workout open to the public. We were up in the Jeffrey Lurie’s suite and we were all grabbing a bite and having a great time joking around with each other about everything.
When players get together it’s just like being back in the locker room, there’s nothing that off limits to friendly jabbing.
Nobody was cutting up anymore than Donovan McNabb. You could see that he was happy to be back. He was there with his wife, Roxie, and their four kids, who you couldn’t help but fall in love with immediately. They were all over the place and climbing into and out of his lap, while doing the things that young kids do. It was a great atmosphere.
After we had left the families and gone down the field level, then started getting in line for the introductions were all still having a great time. I was in front of former All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins and I was joking that I was glad I wasn’t behind him because nobody would hear my name announced because of the ovation he was sure to get. Dawkins just laughed, but he knew what I was saying was true. He was such a great player here and a truly fan favorite, everybody knew he was going to get a huge ovation.
There was also a near certainty that former Eagles Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook would get a big ovation. Westbrook had some great years here, during what was a great run by the Birds.
The question that was on my mind and on the mind of everybody who had been around the team during the great run and the recent down years, concerned McNabb and what type of reception he would receive. Although, he was just as accomplished a player as Dawkins and Westbrook during his years with the Birds, neither Dawkins or Westbrook were ever as controversial as McNabb, nor were either ever criticized as thoroughly as he had been during their time with the Birds.
It was a big question but a very simple one. Were the fans going to cheer him or boo him when he was introduced?
The introductions were done in alphabetical order, so Five was near the end. Once they started calling out the names, they kept up a steady pace and everything was positive. Most of the 30,000 or so people who came to the event were big Eagles fans. These are the people, who are probably reading this article. They eat, sleep and drink Eagles, and they go through all the ups and downs with the team. For the most part, they look for the positive in the team.
I had been introduced and was standing out on the field in the middle of all the other former Eagles players. The current team had formed an aisle for us to walk through as we went onto the field. I was giving out hugs and high fives to all the players who were already out there, but at the same time listening for McNabb’s name to be called.
All of sudden, I heard the announcer say, “Quarterback, Donovan McNabb”! The place erupted with just as big an ovation as they had had for Dawkins. McNabb didn’t walk through the line, the time he got to the aisle of current players, he started giving them the hugs and high fives. I know he was relieved and it was nothing but downhill from there.
Afterwards, McNabb talked about being contacted by Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie about coming to the event. It was a nice move by the Birds owner. I think the fact that McNabb will retire as an Eagle later today and will be honored by the team later in the season, will put a nice bow on what was a great era of Eagles football.
We spent the next couple of hours watching the practice, then McNabb and a number of us spent additional hours in the owner’s suite after everything had concluded. It was a great time and nobody enjoyed it more than Five.
Check out G. Cobb later today on Lunch Break with Rhea Hughes at 12:30 on Comcast Sportsnet. You can also check out G, Cobb on Comcast Sportsnet television this afternoon on Sportstalk at 5pm.
I have a QB question Yesterday at the Linc both Vick and Foles went up against a defense with pads on(No 7 on 7 in shorts) and reports are they both sucked. While Denis Dixon looked good. What happens if both Foles and Vick suck and struggle top learn this new system in the preseason and Dixon(who knows this system inside and out) is just better at running this system going into the season? Chip said may the best man win. Does that count for Dixon to? Do you head to Washington with 2 QBs who are learning and cant run the offense(at this time) as well as Dixon and let them play. Even though you preached the best players play? A lot different looking good in non-contact 7 pon 7 drills than in live competition. I cans see it now, both Vick and Foles looking terrible this preseason and Dixon coming in and running the offense to perfection. lol
I guess you would have to release Vick, start Dixon and Foles would be his backup until he is up to speed.
The last thing Chip can do is go into Washington . get blown out and look incompetent. That would take the wind out of Eagles sails so fast it wouldn’t be funny.
Dixon is not as good as either Vick or Foles and I don’t think he has a chance over the long haul of training camp. I think Vick will win the job and Foles will hold the clipboard until Vick gets injured or plays poorly.
Maybe Donovan should lace up the cleats.
DIxon threw 2 passes yesterday.
2.
The Eagles should hire McNabb, Dawkins and Westbrook as assistant coaches or at least try. Today’s team needs the heart of the McNabb/Dawkins/Westbrook lead teams and I think those three could bring it in the locker room.