Business As Usual in Philly

After what seems like a decade of speculation, the deal to get Donovan McNabb out of Philadelphia is finally done. And of course, to the one place that nobody predicted or expected.

The Eagles officially moved into the Kevin Kolb era, by trading the former face of the franchise to the Washington Redskins. The move itself was expected, but not the destination. Most NFL teams abide by the unwritten rule that prohibits sending key players to division rivals. Although it’s been clear for years that the Eagles’ front office operates under their own set of rules.

As an Eagles’ fan, it’s just one more move that leaves me shaking my head. It’s the same kind of counterproductive head-scratcher we’ve seen from Andy Reid and the front office year after year. And at least for this fan, it’s quite possibly the last straw.

Early in his career, the Eagles failed to surround McNabb with playmakers. And when they finally did bring in a weapon, it came in the form of Terrell Owens…who did his best to tear the team apart after just one year of success.

During that time, they also failed to do much for Brian Westbrook…giving him a lion’s share of the workload, often on a bad knee. In 2007, he managed 368 total touches in 15 games. Then after a season derailed by concussion issues, he was cut like a piece of construction paper in a kindergarten class. Only in the NFL can you sustain a serious injury due to working extra hard for your employer, and then get fired for it.

Unbalanced play-calling. Unbalanced personnel. Terrell Owens. Bye Brian Dawkins. Bye Brian Westbrook. Hello Michael Vick. The list goes on…and on…and on.

I know, I know…it’s just business. Fair enough. I guess that makes me just a consumer in this little relationship. No, not the kind of consumer that buys $100 game tickets and $8 beers. But I am the kind of consumer stupid enough to buy $80 jerseys which are worn only about 4 times a year, and receives useless Eagles’ crap from family and friends for Christmas.

The customer is always right. Unless, of course, that customer is an idiot Eagles’ fan. So eager to rid of a hall of fame quarterback, only to make way for an unproven player who they’ll hate tomorrow anyway.

At least for this little consumer, there is still a choice. Maybe I’ll ask friends and family to buy me something for Christmas that doesn’t have an Eagles logo on it. Maybe I’ll go buy a Raiders or Rams jersey just for the hell of it. Maybe I’ll buy enough Tony Romo bobbleheads to fund a golden shitter for Jerry Jones.

But no way, no how…will I continue to support the Philadelphia Eagles franchise in any way, shape, or form. I despise the way the organization operates. I detest a hardcore fan base that once pelted two fans with a barrage of snow balls just for wearing 49ers jerseys to an Eagles’ game. I loathe the fact that Donovan McNabb never got the respect he deserved, while someone like Michael Vick got so much more than he deserved. I hope McNabb and the Redskins knock Philly into the bottom of the NFC East cellar for good.

As an Eagles’ fan, I think I’m pretty much done. But don’t worry Andy Reid, Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, and the rest of the Eagles’ organization…it’s nothing personal. It’s just business.

30-year-old Running Backs Added to Endangered Species List

LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook were both released by their respective teams this past week, apparently on account of the new running back expiration date implemented by NFL owners. In an industry where a contract isn’t really a contract, it’s just business as usual…which is bad news for 30 year-old running backs.

Neither move is really that surprising, as both Tomlinson and Westbrook have declined steadily in the past couple of years. And that’s the harsh reality in the life of an NFL running back. This past season, LT saw his yards per carry drop to an all-time low. While Westbrook still showed some signs of life, he spent more time on the sidelines than on the field due to a series of injuries…appearing in a career-low 8 regular season games.

This mysterious ailment, commonly known as Shaun Alexander Syndrome (SAS), continues to affect more and more running backs every year. Research indicates that most victims of SAS also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, which makes for some god-awful studio analysis (see Emmitt Smith and Tiki Barber) and limited career choices.

Fortunately, there is something you can do to help. Donations to fight SAS are now being accepted by Bam Morris Charities. For more information, please email: grams4bam@gfail.com