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I am happy to report that the DeMarco Murray search party has been called off. He has resurfaced in Tennessee, so we can stop asking those “what if” questions. Actually, we could probably go on and on mentioning all of the names former head coach Chip Kelly (what was his other title again) brought through town last season. As it turns out, like Pope Francis and Hillary Clinton, they were just visiting. How is San Francisco, Chip? It seems the team is getting more attention as to whether or not quarterback Colin Kaepernick is standing for the national anthem than their performance on the field.
Speaking of performances on the field, forget about the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles went 4–0 during the preseason. Sunday against the Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ) kickoff is when the real conversation begins. Doug Pederson, who is an Andy Reid disciple and former Eagles quarterback (remember before Donovan McNabb took over), is calling the shots from the sideline. Reid is a well-respected coach around the league, but he has never been able to win the big game. Here’s hoping the pupil outperforms the teacher.
Football fans around South Philly are still waiting for that first Super Bowl championship parade to come down South Broad Street. Overall, Philadelphia is not viewed as a championship town (kudos to the Philadelphia Soul on their recent ArenaBowl championship), but the remaining hairs on the top of my head will turn gray while waiting for this monumental occasion to occur. I really believe this town is cursed, as the Phillies 2008 World Series win is faded into the distant memory category like one of Taylor Swift’s ex-boyfriends. It’s certainly not going to be this year — more on that later. The team’s last crowning moment came in 1960 when it was known as the NFL Championship. It also happens to be the last time the NFL Draft came through town.
This week’s issue of the South Philly Review is jam packed with football coverage, from the cover story by Joseph Myers on the NFL announcing that the NFL Draft will be taking place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway next spring (was anybody surprised by this news?) to local fan reaction on the very unexpected Sam Bradford trade. We also have a special contribution from former Philadelphia Eagle and current NFL analyst Brian Baldinger sharing his thoughts on defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Al Thompson, the editor-in-chief of our sister publication FootballStories, is sharing a piece on the Eagles defense. The special section also includes a center spread featuring the schedule and roster.
Come Sunday, it will be time for all of the talking to end. This Carson Wentz era will officially gets under way, and I expect there to be a lot of growing pains along the way. I am predicting the Eagles will open the season with a win (24–10), but will finish the year 7–9 overall.
Of course, we should not forget that this Sunday is the anniversary of 9/11. While sitting back and enjoying the games, take a moment to remember our fellow American who were lost on that horrible day in our nation’s history. SPR
