I am not writing an article about the latest miserable effort in the NFC title game. I already wrote it last year, (See THE CHART IS STILL WET). You can read it if you want to, because my analysis then, is just as true on this day.

No, today I am going to talk about next year. The Eagles will be back. They shook off this defeat once, and they will shake it off again, and next year will be another winning season, maybe even another title run. The question I ask myself today is, will I be back?

Truth be told, I am not sure I was really “back” this year. I think I left my heart at the Vet LAST January. I went to less games this year than the last two previous years, I wrote less PP2 articles about the Birds, and I will even admit falling asleep while watching some of the early away games on the tube. (But then again, who didn’t!). I think before this year began, I put the Eagles on “fan probation.” The Eagles stand accused of inflicting intolerable pain and suffering, negligence, and public endangerment. The hearing is today, and I am going to look at the evidence, and decide whether I am gonna be back and if so, in what capacity…

 The Evidence: 

Dirk Johnson is a great punter. And NO, I am not being a smart ass. I recall thinking the Eagles were “cutting corners” when it came time to pay Sean Landetta. But the Eagles felt Dirk was an upgrade and he was. On the same token, I felt that they were being cheap about Brian Mitchell and cheap about Hugh Douglas. I didn’t hear much from that duo this year either. I am beginning to think that the “drop those 30 and over” philosophy is based in some small part on talent evaluation and the belief that the end comes quickly for some in that age bracket. As much as fans pine away for these lost soldiers, follow the careers after they are gone…most of them fizzle.

Troy, Duce and Taylor are the Big Three this year. And believe it or not, I am ok with all of them exiting. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see Duce plod away another year in limited action, but he deserves to use what he has left as a feature back, and Buckhalter and Westbrook are just better then him. I question Taylor’s heart as well as his desire to be here. Troy: I honestly question whether he is a feasible health risk given the dollar amount he will command. So, armed with the belief that player personnel is not all about the dollars, and somewhat about talent evaluation. I will chalk up one point for me coming back next year…(1-0)

Which brings me to my first reason I will NOT come back. TALENT EVALUATION! Yes, I gave them credit in the previous paragraph for using it over money as a barometer for making personnel decisions, I JUST WISH THEY WERE BETTER AT IT AND LESS ARROGANT AND STUBBORN WHEN THEY ARE WRONG!! I think the Eagles really thought Nate Wayne and Mark Simoneau were key acquisitions at linebacker. They were not. The Eagles told us publicly that they are “satisfied” with the receiving corp. They were not satisfactory when it counted, in three straight years. I will chalk one for me NOT coming back…(1-1).

Here’s another HUGE reason for not coming back. The atmosphere at the LINC, SUCKS. Plain and simple. The seat license has turned into license to be a jackass. The amount of despicable behavior is WAY, WAY up. Sure there are less people urinating in sinks, but to sit and watch a game at the Linc is worse because the security that used to patrol in front of the seated crowd, in the walkways, is now relegated to the openings behind. They can’t see a thing. I use the term “security” loosely as the formidable brute squad that patrolled the Vet has been replaced with pigtailed, beaded, face-painted kids. People stand in front of other people the whole game, people exit in and out of rows during play (rows that–with 32 seats–are too long mind you), and the overzealous fans are not kept in check at all. Every game, I can count on at least a half dozen idiots, often the same idiots, making the game experience a much less enjoyable experience in one way or another, without fail. Not to wax poetic too long about the Vet, but that rarely happened in the 700 level. Idiots were disposed of very quickly, one way or another. For the money we pay to be there…I am giving this one DOUBLE negative points, and bringing my tally to (1-3).

Another reason I will return? The Vera “Poon” Wang collection! ‘nuff said. (2-3)

A resounding reason to stay home? I am tired of getting squeezed for every nickel by Lurie & Co. I am also tired of getting ripped off. If you have the balls to sell me a footlong hotdog for 5 dollars, I want the “foot” to be consecutive, not in pieces. I want it IN the roll, not thrown next to the roll and wrapped is a wrapper, and I want said roll to be from this week and in one piece. I’d also like the hotdog and bun not to be frozen, regardless of what the temperature outside is. Here is an idea: after you take it off the grill, if it is 5 degrees out, wrap it in a nickel’s worth of foil. If I buy a bottle of water for 4 dollars, I want the cap. I said this before, I’ll say it again, the “help” at the Linc is weak. Aramark at the Vet knew what they were doing. These Linc people do not. BIG minus here…(2-4).

HDTV and freezing weather. Two years in a row, I stood in a parking lot for hours in sub freezing weather, stood at the game for three more, and drove home on a sheet of ice. And two years in a row, my preparation against the cold was more thought out then the offense’s plan against the opponent. They can call me a fair-weather fan if I skip the cold ones next year, and I’ll call them the Weather Girls, because when there is weather they play like girls. (2-5).

Well, with only one factor left, I suppose it looks grim for my return. But there is one more factor…

I broke bread with Bosh Pritchard. I ate dinner with Dick Vermeil at a father son banquet. I met Vince Papale at his house. Some drunk Eagles threw my mom into a pool at a pool party once. I met Ron Jaworski a dozen times. His kids went to my school. I hit golf balls with Mike Quick. I learned to kick a football bare-footed because Tony Franklin and I had the same first name…All before I even turned 15. I wanted my confirmation name to be “Buddy” after Buddy Ryan. I remember listening to 610, tearing over the outpouring of grief over a lost lineman, and wearing a “Bring it Home for Jerome” hat the entire summer. The Eagles are a part of who I am. I am giving this one TRIPLE points…evening the score, (5-5).

So just like the Eagles, I am back where I started. No progress. So, I am gonna play it by ear I think. If the Eagles of today, start behaving like the ones that became a part of my life once upon a time, I’m in it to win it. If they continue their disassociation with their history, then they will become a part of my own.

Email the Author:  tony@tonyromeo.com