The Chip Kelly era in Philadelphia began wish much promise, but by and large the Eagles fan base has forgotten the growing pains that will take place on the road to success. Photo: Philly.com
This is madness.
I thought the Andy Reid era deteriorated into an ongoing web of intrigue, drama, and back stories the summer of 2005, in the aftermath of the Philadelphia Eagles loss to New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.
I truly believed that the eradication of Joe Banner, trading Donovan McNabb, and finally ousting King Andy, emperor of football Philadelphia would bring peace and render calm the stormy sea of fans whose lives rode the cresting waves of Philly football news as if they were Tom Hanks in Castaway.
I was wrong.
So very wrong.
This season, which should be one of healing has created in this city a level of agita unexpected for an NFL team coming off a four win season. With a newly installed head coach, and using virtually the same play players that finished the desultory 2012 season 4-12 on merit, what did you realistically expect?
Did you really believe that Chip Kelly could sprinkle gold dust on Nate Allen and make him an NFL safety? Did you then somehow convince yourself that this team and it's dearth of NFL quality players on the defensive side of the ball would compete with the Denver Broncos, arguably the best of the AFC and maybe the entire National Football League?
Yup. Madness.
Now you're sure that Kelly can't coach.
You believe he's a fraud, and will jump ship for USC or some other equally attractive college program at first chance. Despite the fact he's still under NCAA sanctions? Really?
How traumatized must football Philadelphia be that your overreacting so vehemently in a season that should be a shakedown cruise for coach Kelly, an opportunity to install both new offensive and defensive systems simultaneously, figure out who fits, who doesn't, and exactly what should be prioritize in both the NFL draft and free agency.
Shame on you Philadelphia.
You don't build contenders in four games. You can't win with this roster's players even if your last name is Lombardi. Walsh. Landry. Noll. None of them could coax any more out of this group than five wins and those will be a struggle.
Sell yourself this scenario: finish 2-14.
This gets you the first and 33rd picks in the draft. Package the first two, get two firsts giving you three picks in the first 33.
That's how it should work.
Drink up. Eat well. Suffer silently each loss, with the rainbow ahead of you. Dream of 2015, when your squad is talented enough to seriously expect contention from the Philadelphia Eagles. You're going to lose to an 0-4 New York Giants team this weekend.
Sorry.
Just part of the process.
Painful? Absolutely! However, that is the ONLY route to the top of the draft, and eventually, the National Football League. That's the view from the rarefied air up here on Mt. Airy.
Phil 'From Mt. Airy' Allen is also an On Air Personality on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Follow Phil on Twitter.
