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Grounded

The bottom line? Bleeding Green Nation opens a vein:

The bottom line? This thing is over....We can't give up on the team, and the in the end we'll keep rooting for them to make a playoff run... but the air has been let of this season. There's no doubt about that. All the big second half games that we were looking forward to suddenly just don't mean as much. What's worse is that with this ACL tear, even next year is in doubt.

That glass is way too full for The Illadelphia Eagles. Illadelphia blogger Evan Young writes:

Wake me up next September please....

The loss of QB Donovan McNabb to a torn ACL (out eight - 12 months) overshadows the ugly fact of the No. 1 offense in the league losing to the NFL's worst defense by a score of 31 to 13. But forget these numbers. Stick a fork in these birds.

How bad was it? This is the Eagles own Web site:

The Eagles had nothing. Zero. They opened the game on defense and set the tone as Tennessee drove 71 yards on six plays to put the home team in an immediate hole. And the day just got worse from there. On a cool Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles' 2006 season took a sudden, chillling dip: Franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb's right knee buckled, the 2-7 Titans completely dominated 31-13 and now, well, this is a season officially teetering. Nothing worked on this day, and while McNabb's injury is the most serious issue -- Andy Reid confirmed that his quarterback suffered an ACL tear and will be out for eight months to one year -- there are plenty of others to digest from a game that was shockingly bad.

The Fanhouse:

The loss of McNabb is likely the last blow the Birds could take this season. A very disappointing loss to the Titans today showed that the Eagles are simply not a great team. Mathematically the Birds are far from eliminated from the playoffs, but with Jeff Garcia or A.J. Feeley running the offense, the season is looking bleak.

For the Iggles blog, this is the story line:

It's about a team that's surprisingly short on toughness, heart and game intelligence.  It's about a team that -- distressingly -- looks poorly coached.  Which is a bit of a paradox.  Andy Reid is an excellent coach.  The Eagles do not look to be well-coached. ... There's no talent issue here.  Years of deep drafts and good salary cap management have put the Eagles in a position where they have more than enough talent.  The problem is character.  The team didn't have the character needed to respond to the TO challenge, and it doesn't have the character needed to consistently prepare for and win games in the NFL. 

Tomorrow, there will be people who say that too many losses against bad opponents in the first half of the season will doom the Eagles' chances of making the playoffs.  That is true, but it's not because avoiding a couple of early chokejobs would have enabled this team to get to 10 wins.  It's because losing those early chokejobs were a clear signal that this team doesn't deserve to make the playoffs.

Season tickerholder Kate Wells, 17, writes what many must be feeling:

I hate to be negative, when talking about this team I never am. But it just hurts me too much to actually think that we might be able to do anything with Jeff Garcia at QB because I know that I'm kidding myself. I don't even want to put forth the effort to look at the bright side and honestly it's just too hard to do that right now.

I'm struggling in what I have to say because so much of me is ready to just give up on the season. Losing Donovan is just so hard for me, I know that he is this team and so from that perspective it kills me. But what actually hurts me even more is knowing that Donovan now is going to have even more hurdles to overcome.

From Micc's Rants  & Raves:

so long 2006...

At least For The Birds is looking forward:

Here's a question to raise at the Thanksgiving table this week: "So, who should the Eagles draft next year?"

Maybe not a repeat of last year, says Fox Sports. It pronounces Brodrick Bunkley and Winston Justice to be very bad picks.

We end where we begin, with the Illadelphia Eagles. Evan Young illustrates his post with a drained beer stein.

At some point in the third quarter, the ball was sailing through the air and about to land in the welcoming arms of Reno Mahe. The guy behind me, huddled against the cold in his SRO position on the rail, said in a whisper: "Come on Reno, give us a spark." It was probably about two seconds later -- or maybe about 8 or 9 yards, whichever is the longer typical Reno Return -- that co-blogger Pat turned to me and asked for a revolver, presumably with which to end things quickly.

What do you see in the glass, Philly?

Half full? We still have Westbrook, Stallworth, Reggie Brown, LJ. Garcia has experience. The defense is healthy. The NFC stinks. Badly.

Half empty? McNabb is done. The defense is to running backs as blood is to a killing-floor sieve. Brown et al can't catch. Stallworth can't get open. Reid calls a clueless offense (Run on the half-yard line? Please? Once? Please?).

Choose your poison, then...

So what do I see? I'll go with something simpler: An empty mug, hopefully a few trace granules of
flunitrazepam down there.

emir
Posted 11/20/2006 10:58:28 AM
I love it!!! you eagles fans deserve the worst. Go Giants!!!!!  Every year it's always something...even the flyers are horrible. Lets go Rangers. you eagles fans copied the j-e-t-s anthem therfore god punishes you all. ah ha!!!
Emir
Posted 11/20/2006 11:04:19 AM
Colts will blow you out. then its carolina's turn. which means 4-6. then 3 games on the road with your 4th consecutive loss to my beloved Giants, then the cowboys will give you a merry christmas present. which means. 6-10 season....again!!! but at least you won't lose the nfc championship game again. because that's what history will dictate. eagles always lose nfc title games in a mediocre confrence. at home with the rednecks in suburbia. hurry up and line up at wegmans..that nasty ass supermarket. I will wear my brandon jacobs jersey proudly!!!! 
djKianoosh
Posted 11/20/2006 11:15:29 AM
You know, I was a little down this morning. But after reading that incomprehensible garbage from this idiot giants fan I suddenly have found my sense of humor. Thanks for that emir. 
Birdman Carr
Posted 11/20/2006 11:47:47 AM
Agreed Kianoosh.  There comes a time for all good things to come to an end, perhaps this is our time?  Very disappointing, Reid is vastly overrated and I've been saying that for 6 years now.  Emir, you are truly clueless and make you own case for why giants and NY fans in general are some of the lowest forms of being known to man.
kDub
Posted 11/20/2006 11:54:36 AM
It's time to get into the Troy Smith sweepstakes.
Karl
Posted 11/20/2006 11:57:40 AM
I have been a fan for over 50 years and remember as a kid I would listen to the games on the radio when there was no TV!  

I have seen this coming 4 years ago and no one else could!  Reid is not a good coach!  Laurie, Banner and Reid are only intersted in selling tickets not building a true contender!  The players they wouldn't go after in free agancy example Reid told Preist Holmes we don't need you we have Duce!  We don't need good receivers!  Rest my case on that one also!  Donvan over the same period of time goes out to AZ in the off season and plays catch with his friends when they should have a real pro QB that can work with him his throwing!  Every game his throws for 1/2 the game goes nowheres!  

No back up QB that would be able to come in when he is stinking it up!  Philly fans got what they want when they can't see past their own noses on what the real problem is with Philly sports team!  The Phillies are the only one that is showing there past was the wrong way!

I'm out!    
RG
Posted 11/20/2006 12:07:31 PM
Emir - keep talking buddy, we'll just keep laughing when eli lines up behind your center for the next 10 years.  The funny thing is, the stuff that all you giants fan say make me pretty certain that we're going to put an end to your season when we meet in a few weeks.  Have fun till than and start coming up with your excuses now.

 
He Hate Me
Posted 11/20/2006 12:27:15 PM
NY fans take your teams and shove it up you know where!!!  We all the biggest choke team is the NY Yankees.  $300 Million payroll and you still haven't won a title.  Better yet you get bounced from the playoffs in the 1st round.  Giants equally as lame!  Eli Manning is the most over-rated QB in the league.  He threw up a prayer to Plaxico against us since he braced for a hit and got lucky.  If you think you're going somewhere with your team think again.  Before you talk smack let us when your lousy Giants team accomplishes something this year...which won't be much!!!  
bleedeaglesgreen
Posted 11/20/2006 12:36:20 PM
well here we are again, and again, and again. I have seen this before like last year the fall of the midnight green empire. Those fun filed days of 00,01,02,03, and 04 are gone. Here now and for the for seeable future are the uncertian and down right painful days of the eighties and late nineties I statrted to feel that all to familiar pain and disgust starting last year and now spilling over into this year. What has happened bad drafts, bad free agent signings, players not responding to the coach anymore I just don't know my heart is breaking as I know the rest of the Eagles nation is feeling right now. So what do we do now that we are starring down the barrel and the abisis of a very un clear future. Mcnabb is gone for this year at least but he wasnt the problem our problems go much deeper than that. It is comming to an end I hope u all enjoyed the past because the future dont look good, and this comming from a soldier who is serving in Afganistan, go birds E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES    
Tena
Posted 11/20/2006 12:36:37 PM
I'm a cowboys fan and i feel so sorry to what happened to the Eagles.  I don't feel the eagles deserve this.  I was looking forward to the next eagles-cowboys game because of the rivalry.  I hope you can bounce back soon.
GulfCoast
Posted 11/20/2006 12:41:19 PM
As a Cowboys fan, let me say I'm sorry for McNabb's injury. I have a great deal of respect for him as a competitor and man. By the way, I wasn't pleased when Dallas brought in TO; I respected the Eagles' organization last year in getting rid of him.
glove
Posted 11/20/2006 12:59:36 PM
As empty as this season looks right now I hope the Eagles don't throw in the towel like most fans have already done. Repeated failures and getting so close to the Lombardi trophy has made the Faithful bitter as rightfully so, however sometimes adversity will help bring out an stronger will than when things are well and you expect to show up and win. Hopefully the Eagles start playing with some real heart and passion and decide to go out and damage a few teams. At least I can cheer if they go out and play smart and with passion otherwise they lose all respect.
D.J. Smith Jr.
Posted 11/20/2006 01:10:08 PM
Is it time to "give up the ghost" "turn the shot glass over" "pack it in"
I don't know, I never give up on the birds!
But I'm sitting here in an empty tavern looking around, straining to see through the smoke and not seeing anyone there to keep the party going.
What is one to do, sit here and cry green tears into my beer!

Thinking back on the start of the season, knowing that the team had talented players who knew how to play "Iggles" football and would rebound from the debackle of last season. Watching a few rookies that looked to be real players that may not dominate but at least give the team a hand in getting to the post-season.  
I know they have talent, heck, they know they have talent, but what they don't have is what is bleeding all over the Philly area, they apparently don't have "HEART"
It's just not there, does anyone know why?
No, I think not, not us (the fans,) not the coaches, the trainers, cheerleaders nor the players themselves!

The ingrediants are there but the mixer is broken!
Nobody could blend this mess together and make a cake, doesn't matter who it is.

What do they (the players) see when they gaze into a mirror, what do they think of when they put on an Iggles uniform?
Do you know?  No, thought not!
Only they know folks and whatever it is they see, I know what they don't see!
They fer sure "do NOT see an "IGGLE"

Until this last game I was stubornly sticking with a 10/6 attainable record!
Oh I'm not slamming the door, it could still be done, they have to realize they have it in them to turn it around, they must know they can play consistantly, they can't "NOT" know that they can do this, they have the talent, they might be leaving it in the locker room but it is there!
C'mon guys, we can't do it for you, the coaches can't do it, NO, you are the only ones who can do it, nobody else is strapping on the pads, you are the only ones wearing the Green uniform!
Show some damn pride for heavens sake!

OK, I know I'm ranting, writing down meaningless words.
This hurts worse than the Kotite years, can't understand it at all!

After all that, I'm sticking with it folks!
                  10/6
Will believe that until they prove that it's mathematically unatainable!

Sigh!   "Go Iggles" 
D.J. Smith Jr.
Posted 11/20/2006 01:12:41 PM
Is it time to "give up the ghost" "turn the shot glass over" "pack it in"
I don't know, I never give up on the birds!
But I'm sitting here in an empty tavern looking around, straining to see through the smoke and not seeing anyone there to keep the party going.
What is one to do, sit here and cry green tears into my beer!

Thinking back on the start of the season, knowing that the team had talented players who knew how to play "Iggles" football and would rebound from the debackle of last season. Watching a few rookies that looked to be real players that may not dominate but at least give the team a hand in getting to the post-season.  
I know they have talent, heck, they know they have talent, but what they don't have is what is bleeding all over the Philly area, they apparently don't have "HEART"
It's just not there, does anyone know why?
No, I think not, not us (the fans,) not the coaches, the trainers, cheerleaders nor the players themselves!

The ingrediants are there but the mixer is broken!
Nobody could blend this mess together and make a cake, doesn't matter who it is.

What do they (the players) see when they gaze into a mirror, what do they think of when they put on an Iggles uniform?
Do you know?  No, thought not!
Only they know folks and whatever it is they see, I know what they don't see!
They fer sure "do NOT see an "IGGLE"

Until this last game I was stubornly sticking with a 10/6 attainable record!
Oh I'm not slamming the door, it could still be done, they have to realize they have it in them to turn it around, they must know they can play consistantly, they can't "NOT" know that they can do this, they have the talent, they might be leaving it in the locker room but it is there!
C'mon guys, we can't do it for you, the coaches can't do it, NO, you are the only ones who can do it, nobody else is strapping on the pads, you are the only ones wearing the Green uniform!
Show some damn pride for heavens sake!

OK, I know I'm ranting, writing down meaningless words.
This hurts worse than the Kotite years, can't understand it at all!

After all that, I'm sticking with it folks!
                  10/6
Will believe that until they prove that it's mathematically unatainable!

Sigh!   "Go Iggles" 
BobD
Posted 11/20/2006 04:34:00 PM
emir, you're a freaking genius!! Just like Eli, who would rather play at the filthy Meadowlands in the swamps of Jersey than beautiful San Diego, the nicest large city in the USA. I'm sure as soon as the NYG are eliminated from playoff contention, you will then switch over to the Jets as your favorite football team. You and the rest of the New York fans are the biggest bunch of LOSERS going.
JP
Posted 11/20/2006 04:46:42 PM
I'm a life long Eagles fan (born in Philly) who has lived in Atlanta for 20+ years.  I don't know which is worse: watching the Eagles slide backwards again while Reid calls one stupid play after another, or watching the Braves slide backwards watching Bobby Cox fail to make the right pitching changes at the right moment.  I know that the spark of this season's excitement (for me) went out when Donovan was carted off the field, and I only get the updates from the network and can't even see the games!  

The Miller Lite "Manlaws" say that one is NOT ALLOWED to switch teams in mid-season -- for any reason.  So, let's buck up, give Donovan all the positive energy we can so that he makes a great recovery for next year, and send some of that energy Andy's way so that he might actually get some more running backs and might actually call some more running plays.

And, ignore the idiots in NY.  Remind them they lose Tiki after this year, so Eli has to figure out a way to beat his brother this  year.

E-A-G-L-E-S  Eagles!!! 
G$
Posted 11/20/2006 05:31:49 PM
Greetings from Dallas...I couldn't help myself from coming and reading all these Philly idiots cry about their QB and their hopeless season. I’m surprised Philly fans aren't used to it by now...how disappointing their brain-dead franchise is.  Can't wait till Christmas so the Boys can totally dismantle whatever is left of this pathetic group of players and fans.  Peace out from football title town.
Weston Ferguson
Posted 11/20/2006 05:43:02 PM
Like the above poster I'm also a displaced Iggles fan who remembers well some of the great, albeit not Super Bowl years, of years gone by. Remember 92? When Randall Cunningham went down in the second game of the season and "The Defense" still pulled out 10 wins with a clunky Jim McMahon? Oh man...those were the days, and yes I still love Buddy Ryan, cranky old curmudgeon or no...

But let's be real, this defense has no Reggie White, no Clyde Simmons, No Seth Joyner, Byran Evans, Eric Allen, Andre Waters (R.I.P.), or any of the other cast of Iggles defensive greats. All we've got are one dominating linebacker who over-pursues, one aging Free Safety and bunch of D-linemen who seem lost without Kearse.

Remember back to the days of "The Defense" when it was never acceptable to give a running back more than 60 yards a game? Remember when Emmit Smith (Before that $#%^@ Norman Braman gutted the team) couldn't get going? When Troy Aikman got sacked 11 times? I'm not dreaming of past glory here, only paying tribute to the golden age of the Philly D., and looking at that example as to where this team must be in order to pull off a playoff visit. Frankly I don't see it. The way this defense plays the offense needs to score 30 points to assure victory, and running backs certainly can pile up 60 yards in the first quarter alone.

It's a sad day too. I'm a very big Iggles optimist, I never pick against them and never try to be as critical as most of the long suffering home town fans are...but at some point you have to face reality.

For the future, and I'm just going to say it, it's time to draft a QB. Not that I'm not proud of Donovan, like some, just that the writing is on the wall. His career has mirrored McNair's in many ways and his injury problems are mounting. We simply can't count on a full season from him anymore, whether it's his fault or not. I'd also add, and also say I like Reid, that it's time to start considering a change at the top. Unlike some who believe in the selling tickets theory I honestly believe Jeffrey Lurie wants to win. As such I think it must be becoming clearer to him that Reid's time is drawing to a close, his once innovative play calling has become stagnant (pass on every down, don't call QB sneaks with a monster QB on the half yard line, dial up trick plays in situations where they are warrented, etc). The players just don't seem to believe in him anymore- for whatever reason. He's a great coach, but few great coaches ever stick with one team forever, and it's obvious that his time is drawig to a close. 

Let's just hope I'm right and Jeffrey Lurie really does see it my way.

Oh, and thanks to the Cowboys fans for your condolences, it's never as fun to hate you when one of us are puchovers.
JP
Posted 11/21/2006 12:53:15 AM
Stand by the team, don't throw in the towel! The NFC sucks. Hell, the way the Giants just got trounced, I bet we can still win the division. Washington isn't any good, Dallas isn't all that good either. 
Jorginho_23
Posted 11/21/2006 01:03:39 AM
Is sad, i fell miserable, but i still belive in my eagles.

great coach, great QB in McNabb, i belive in him, i think the eagles have a great talent, but i dont know what hapened
Long suffering Philly sports fan
Posted 11/21/2006 09:14:44 AM
Lets be real here:
1)This team was done after the Tampa loss, now it's just official.  Playoff teams, much less championship teams, don't lose to sub .500 teams ONCE, much less twice.
2)Andy isn't going anywhere this year.  At best, he gets stripped of his GM duties so he can "concentrate" on coaching, then hopefully we can get someone running our draft that will quit drafting mediocre linemen and receivers for a pass 1st offense that can't CATCH THE DAMN BALL.  Maybe andy will resign if he isn't GM anymore because he is a control freak, but he's not getting fired THIS year.
3) Was there any doubt Andy was calling the plays after yet another ill-fated pass on 3rd and 1?  I guess his ego couldn't handle Marty calling the plays giving us something called BALANCE on offense.
4)  Was there any doubt the Cowboys would beat the Colts?  As much as it pains me to say it (especially about the Cowboys),it was nice watching real coaching and real play calling.  Watch the birds throw it 50 times against the Colts, giving a REAL QB too many opportunities to pile up the points on our sad defense.
5)  Our LB's other than Axeman SUCK.  They are too small and/or slow.
6) Our DT's are pass rushers, not run-stuffers.  We need a couple 340 pounders.
7) You Giants fans are delusional.  You just had your asses handed to you two consecutive weeks and you want to come here and talk smack?  The Cowboys are clearly the best team in this division and will win it going away.
Eagles Suck
Posted 11/22/2006 10:28:23 AM
Eagle fans: Don't remorse, you had your Superbowl victory already...when you beat my Cowboys w/ T.O earlier this year...hope you enjoyed it..since then you're 1-4...gotta go ..I would stay longer but Im gonna go watch my Cowboy Superbowl Highlight videos...all 5 of them!!!
KevinMc
Posted 11/22/2006 06:21:53 PM
Is it time for the Eagles to go in a different direction?  Should they go out and draft the best Quarterback available?  McNabb is starting to become injury prone.  It is starting to look doubtful that they will ever win the Super Bowl with him.