They are the two words pounding inside the throbbing heads of Eagles fans still recovering from the hangover of another agonizing loss in an NFC Championship Game.
Now what?
Part of that murky picture started to emerge seconds after the game, and even more so during the painful “morning after” on Monday. Or I suppose you could call that the “mourning after.”
Eagles exec Joe Banner, looking to put out a brush fire started by some of his comments after the game about the definition of insanity and thinking that you are doomed to keep doing the same things if you don’t make any changes, issued a formal statement Monday morning.
The bottom line? Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb are coming back. At least that’s the team’s plan. Of course, things could happen to change that. Maybe Reid decides to move on, or at least shift some of his duties. Or it’s entirely possible the team may not be able to reach a contract agreement with McNabb.
With all of that, here are a few unsolicited suggestions for the Eagles brain trust.
No. 1: What happened to you Sunday was not a mirage in the desert. It was Larry Fitzgerald. He is a game-changer at wide receiver. He’s someone you have to account for on every play. He is, by any definition of the word, a No. 1 receiver. That is something the Eagles still lack. The Birds’ receiving corps was much-improved this year, especially with the selection of rookie Desean Jackson. He is a good receiver now and could possibly become great. But his diminutive status will never allow him to take over a game the way Fitzgerald does. The Eagles need that kind of presence.
If there was one thing that stood out from McNabb’s comments after the game, it was almost an unsaid belief that he is tired of everyone expecting him to win games by himself. There is some truth to that and it’s something the Eagles need to address.
No. 2: Going into the season without an established fullback was a disaster. Let’s not go that route again. And realize that, as good as Brian Westbrook is, using him as your every-down back will mean he gets beat up during the regular season. Westbrook’s effectiveness diminished greatly during the playoffs due to the toll injuries took on him during the year, plus having teams deciding to make sure he does not beat them. A big, bruising running back should be a must for the team to take some of the load off Westbrook.
No. 3: The Eagles will face some very delicate decisions with key players, including both of their longtime starting offensive tackles, Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan. Then there is safety Brian Dawkins, the emotional backbone of the team. Reid and the Eagles would do best not to let these issues linger.
The pain of still another loss in an NFC title game will not ease for some time. It’s the fourth time they’ve done so in five appearances. But the Eagles could help themselves – and their long-suffering fans – by taking a close look at the issues that consistently cropped up this season and vowing they won’t happen again.
Then again, maybe Joe Banner was right. Maybe we really are all insane. Why else would this keep happening to Gang Green year after year?
Now what?
Part of that murky picture started to emerge seconds after the game, and even more so during the painful “morning after” on Monday. Or I suppose you could call that the “mourning after.”
Eagles exec Joe Banner, looking to put out a brush fire started by some of his comments after the game about the definition of insanity and thinking that you are doomed to keep doing the same things if you don’t make any changes, issued a formal statement Monday morning.
The bottom line? Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb are coming back. At least that’s the team’s plan. Of course, things could happen to change that. Maybe Reid decides to move on, or at least shift some of his duties. Or it’s entirely possible the team may not be able to reach a contract agreement with McNabb.
With all of that, here are a few unsolicited suggestions for the Eagles brain trust.
No. 1: What happened to you Sunday was not a mirage in the desert. It was Larry Fitzgerald. He is a game-changer at wide receiver. He’s someone you have to account for on every play. He is, by any definition of the word, a No. 1 receiver. That is something the Eagles still lack. The Birds’ receiving corps was much-improved this year, especially with the selection of rookie Desean Jackson. He is a good receiver now and could possibly become great. But his diminutive status will never allow him to take over a game the way Fitzgerald does. The Eagles need that kind of presence.
If there was one thing that stood out from McNabb’s comments after the game, it was almost an unsaid belief that he is tired of everyone expecting him to win games by himself. There is some truth to that and it’s something the Eagles need to address.
No. 2: Going into the season without an established fullback was a disaster. Let’s not go that route again. And realize that, as good as Brian Westbrook is, using him as your every-down back will mean he gets beat up during the regular season. Westbrook’s effectiveness diminished greatly during the playoffs due to the toll injuries took on him during the year, plus having teams deciding to make sure he does not beat them. A big, bruising running back should be a must for the team to take some of the load off Westbrook.
No. 3: The Eagles will face some very delicate decisions with key players, including both of their longtime starting offensive tackles, Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan. Then there is safety Brian Dawkins, the emotional backbone of the team. Reid and the Eagles would do best not to let these issues linger.
The pain of still another loss in an NFC title game will not ease for some time. It’s the fourth time they’ve done so in five appearances. But the Eagles could help themselves – and their long-suffering fans – by taking a close look at the issues that consistently cropped up this season and vowing they won’t happen again.
Then again, maybe Joe Banner was right. Maybe we really are all insane. Why else would this keep happening to Gang Green year after year?
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