With Labor Day in the rear-view mirror and summer a fading memory, it can only mean one thing.
Are you ready for some football? Specifically, some Eagles football?
Well, Iggles faithful, let's hope Michael Vick is. Because this team is going to go exactly as far as Vick carries it. Yes, Nick Foles was the surprise of Lehigh and the summer.
Summer is over. Sunday in Cleveland is the real thing. Vick has played all of 12 snaps, exactly six in each of the Birds' first two preseason games. He exited both games with injuries. He did not play at all in the final two practice affairs, clearing the stage for the classic Philly story line, the backup QB - in this case a rookie - coming in and turning heads.
I'm glad Foles is the backup, because I think the Eagles will need him to play several games in lieu of the oft-injured Vick. It's the same asterisk that has hung over this team for the past two years: Can Vick stay healthy, and stay on the field?
That remains to be seen. As does just how improved the Eagles defense, which had a horrible start last season under Juan Castillo, will be with the addition of several new faces, including the less then stellar DeMeco Ryans at middle linebacker, who did little in the preseason to indicate he was the answer.
Luckily, Andy Reid and the Eagles get something of a pass Sunday in Cleveland. The Browns very well may be the worst team in the league. They possess a lethal combination - very young and very shaky.
This should be a cakewalk for the Eagles. Except for one thing. Andy Reid teams almost never play especially well in Game 1. And with Vick shaking off the rust most of the day, it might just fall on LeSean McCoy to put this game on his shoulders.
If you count those last four games last season as the Birds scratched their way back to a .500 record, and a spotless preseason, the Eagles have now won eight straight games. None of that means a thing after kickoff on Sunday.
The Pick: Make it Eagles 27, Browns 13. Can't wait to see the new, improved, fan-friendly Reid after the game. He'll probably start with the injuries, then vow both he and the team can still do a better job.
Last Year: The Eagles of course wound up at 8-8. I was a little less impressive, coming in at a fairly anemic 5-11. I'll be better this year. I just hope the Birds can match me.
Season Record: Me and the Eagles are both starting with a clean slate. Uh, Andy, remember what Jeff Lurie said: 8-8 isn't going to cut it this year.
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