Die Hard Sports Fan

Speaking as a Die Hard Redskins Fan myself, I aspire to attend a Skins game in every one of our NFC East rival territories.  So far I’ve made it to Dallas, and I actually had the invite to Philly this weekend, however I declined for a couple of reasons.  Meanwhile, some good friends and fellow Die Hard fans were brave enough to travel 2 1/2 hours up 95, into the city of ‘Brotherly Love’ (give me a break) to watch the Redskins humiliate the Eagles in front of their home audience.

My dear friend, let’s call him Boog, accounts for the beginning of the Eagirls experience.

“Driving into the pay parking lot with ‘Hail To The Redskins’ blaring from our rented minivan, I was expecting to have beer bottles flung at us…We had no trouble with fans making it into the stadium after about an hour of tailgating.  Although once we made it into the stadium, fans attitudes changed.”

I guess the ‘presence’ of such loyal fans just angers Eagle fans.  Boog went on to say that they ran into about six or seven Redskins fans on the way in, however they were hiding undercover by not representing the burgundy and gold. I’ve been told time and time again that if you go to Philly, you DON’T wear a Skins jersey…because you will get beat up. Now, what the heck kind of rule is this and who has made it acceptable for Eagles fans to behave like complete Neanderthals? Oh WAIT, maybe that would be the Eagles franchise who decided to put an actual JAIL in the stadium! Let’s read more.

“When we filed into our seats just as the teams were taking the field, one not-so-friendly Eagles fan with a green and white mesh jersey (’practice jersey’) asked us hastily to find our seats.  When we replied that we had in fact found them, a bit of a shouting match endured. My friend, let’s call him Redskin Rick, got ‘Practice Jersey’ to take a seat rather quickly when he didn’t have much to say after his inital one liner.   ‘Practice jersey’ also was part of the ‘pack it up at the 2 minute warning’ club, as fans left the game before the game had come to an end. Some fans, huh?”

This makes me laugh, however it is in no way surprising. Personally, I feel that Eagles fans are bitter and HAVE been for numerous reasons.

1. Has your franchise EVER won a super bowl? EVER? I know… I’d be pretty mad too.
2. Your city is stuck and pretty much LOST between two of the greatest football-oriented metro areas in the country.
3. When your fans boo the local weatherman as well as the halftime entertainment…yeah, I’d say you guys are in need of a ‘fan-based face lift’.

Back to the Philly experience…

“Many of our cheers during the game led to comments like “Go back to DC” and “95 South Is over there.” There was also a dirty napkin that found the side of my face and my roommate claims to have been hit by a flying french fry… All in all, the Eagles fans did not turn out to be as bad as they are made out to be, with many of them being gracious in defeat and letting us know that the skins played a great game…That of course can’t be said about the drunk 20-something that decided to get in a pushing match with my buddy, let’s call him Scooter, in the parking lot. Scooter’s brother stepped in to handle the drunk with a punch in the face and the 20-something was then arrested. HAIL VICTORY!”

Now I have never been one to promote violence or fighting…that is actually one of the reasons I didn’t want to go to Philly this weekend- I hear their fans are pretty much relentless and if I was the only girl…TROUBLE!!  But when you are a home team fan and the home team LOSES… wouldn’t you think you should let it go? As if it isn’t embarrassing enough that the Redskins walked into your home field, let you score two touchdowns in under a minute to be up 14-0 but STILL come back to take the win back to DC… I think you need to either be wasted or a complete fool (or both?) to go around instigating like that. But this just goes to validate my bitter eagle fan theory.

To close on a more positive note, Boog went on to add this little tidbit at the end of his memoir for future reference for us all as Die Hard Redskins fans:

“Wanna shut up a philly fan? Just mention the fact that we all hate Dallas. Wanna make em’ talk again? Mention that we took care of the business they couldn’t in Dallas.”

Hail to the Redskins, the BEAST in the EAST!!!!!!!

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With such an intense rivalry heading our way this Sunday, Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache had lots to say today at Redskins Park among convesation with Dan Steinberg of the D.C. Sports Bog. Now I don’t know about you guys, but with Eagles running back Brian Westbrook still questionable and it now being Thursday evening, I’m quite eager to hear how the Skins D is preparing to stop the number five passing offense in the league.

Blache’s interview with Steinberg eased my tension a bit, especially considering his brutally honest opinion on the use of stats as a coach.

“We don’t worry about numbers here,” he said. “Statistics are for losers. I’m not a stat guy. I’m not interested in them, because you can do anything you want with numbers, you can manipulate them, and work around with them…So I don’t believe in numbers, because any crook can play with numbers….For me, you either win or you lose; you don’t get second place because you had great stats….I’ve been around a ton of guys that will just sit and spout their statistics. Drives me crazy. It’s meaningless.”

Prior to being the defensive coordinator, Blache ran the defensive line in Washington while working under Greg Williams.  He brought the Skins from 27th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed in the 2006 season to 4th last year.  I guess you could also say he is partly responsible for the Skins D being 3rd in overall defense in the NFC. This is Blache’s fifth season in DC, but he’s got quite the resume of football coaching to back him up. Between the Bears, Colts and Packers, Blache has been among the league for 16 years and he coached lots of college ball before that.  Needless to say, the man knows what he’s doing.

“…I’m old school. I have no interest in a head job. All I want to do, I want to win Dan Snyder and the Washington Redskins a Super Bowl championship, that’s my goal. Past that, a good glass of wine, a good Cuban cigar, and hell, life is beautiful.”

Now…how can a quote like that NOT bring a smile to your face and leave you optimistic on your Friday morning?

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Feel free to rip me a new one in the comments section if you don’t agree but I think this is the perfect time for the Eagles to make a trade.  After 3 weeks, the Eagles have proven that they are a contender.  Unfortunately, in the NFC, the Cowboys, Giants, and Packers also proved they are contenders.  Worse, the Cowboys and Giants are in the same division as the Eagles, the NFC East.  Therefore, every game means something more this year than ever and the window of opportunity is wide open.  With the AFC so far looking like the lower of the two conferences, if the Eagles can make a move, they can further position themselves to win the Super Bowl.

Next year, the Eagles have two first round picks.  One was acquired last year in a draft deal with the Carolina Panthers.  Assuming major injuries can be avoided, the Eagles have the core of players and talent to win now.  There’s no point in keeping both of these two number one picks for next year.  Those picks can certainly help them in the future but it cannot help us win the Super Bowl this year. 

Hurry up and make the phone call to Detroit Lions GM Matt Millen before he is fired.  The Lions have been known to make some bad trades in the past (see Denver trading RB Tatum Bell and OT George Foster for CB Dre Bly as an example).  WR Roy Williams is struggling in Detroit’s new offensive scheme.  He can become a free agent at the end of the season.  With the Lions starting the season 0-3, they might as well blow up the team and get value for what they have now before they lose Williams and get nothing in return.  They would be crazy not too.  Offer a number one pick to Detroit for WR Roy Williams; conditional on him signing a long-term and cap-friendly contract with the Birds.

Yes, I know, receivers take time to learn the West Coast Offense.  Don’t tell rookie sensation WR DeSean Jackson that.  Let’s see how Roy Williams fits in.  Heck, use him as a decoy and let him run fly routes all game long.  Yes, I know, Head Coach Andy Reid insists we are fine with our current core of receivers and he does not value the receiver position as highly as other positions.  Hello Coach Reid.  The one year we had a stud receiver, we lost the Super Bowl by three points!  QB Donovan McNabb had his best year that season.  Can you imagine Roy Williams lining up with a healthy Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, and any other combination of Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, or Jason Avant?  The formation possibilities would be endless.  Reid could scheme and confuse opposing defenses by sending RB Brian Westbrook in motion, out of the backfield.  Having all these weapons on the field at all times makes it easier for others including Tight End L.J. Smith.  Having all these receiving threats would open up running lanes for Westbrook as the opposing defenses would have to further respect the pass.  It would give McNabb more choices and make the offense more of a threat.  In theory, a better offense gives us a better defense as they would not have that added pressure of keeping opposing offensive teams’ scoring down as they had to do this past Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There’s no time like the present.  How much longer will the likes of Jon Runyan, Tra Thomas, and Brian Dawkins be around, playing at a high level?  McNabb could be gone after this season.  This city and the fans deserve a championship.  This core group of players on this current team deserves a chance at the Super Bowl.  It is now up to Reid and the front office to pull the trigger and make the move.  After all, half the time, number one picks wind up as busts.  The upside of the trade is worth the risk.  Do it.

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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Today, we have exclusive privileges to interview a Steelers insider who wishes to remain anonymous.  To discuss the up coming week 3 match-up between the two Keystone State teams, we will now refer to him as “Steely McBeer”:

 Vedder:

Thanks for joining us today Steely.  We appreciate you risking your work with the Steelers to take time with us today to discuss what could be a preview of the Super Bowl.

Steely:  

Preview of the Super Bowl?  I thought the Steelers were playing the Eagles this week? All kidding aside this should be a great game with State bragging rights on the line.

Vedder: 

Steelers fans are known across the league as great traveling fans.  Eagles fans are known as great home team fans.  Do you expect a lot of Steelers fans to be waiving that yellow towel come Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field?

Steely:  

Steelers fans are spread across the country, and always make their presence known at opposing teams stadiums.  Add to this the fact that it is only a 4.5 hour drive across state on the PA turnpike to get here, and I am sure you will see plenty of Black and Gold in the stands.  I am not so sure about the Terrible Towels being waived; as such a display might trigger some unwanted criticism from the polite crowd supporting the Eagles.

Vedder: 

What were your concerns about the Steelers going into the season?  What concerns have disappeared now that you have seen what the Steelers are capable of after their first two games?

Steely: 

The biggest concern had to be the production (or lack there of) of the Offensive Line.  They surrendered almost 50 sacks last year and were unable to open holes consistently for the running game later in games when it mattered to help burn the clock and ice games when they had a lead.  Add to the fact that they lost 7 time All-Pro Alan Faneca to the Jets this off-season and the numbers from last year might not look so bad by seasons end.  They have already given up 5 sacks to start the season which is on pace for 40 which is an improvement, but one has to wonder how many hits Ben Roethlisberger can take before he starts missing games due to injury.  I imagine that Big Ben is having visions of green jerseys in his face all day as Jim Johnson will certainly unleash his multiple blitz packages, but they have to be prepared to handle this it or could be a long day.

There were 2 things that had me concerned prior to the season starting, but after watching the first 2 games it appears the concern was not warranted.  The first was the ability of Willie Parker to come back from the first major injury of his career, a broken leg.  Reports had him fully participating through all off-season workouts, but until the lights go on and you start hitting, you just don’t know for sure.  Plus they drafted Rashard Mendenhall out of Illinois in the first round which made us wonder if Parker was completely over the injury.  With back to back 100 yard games to start the season, he is showing that he is quite capable of picking up where he left off last season when he was leading the league in rushing after week 15.

The other had to be the status of Troy Polamalu.  He has missed multiple games the last 2 years due to a variety of injuries, and their defense just isn’t the same without him.  He already has 2 interceptions in as many games and has been making plays all over the field.  The Tasmanian Devil is officially back!

Vedder: 

What would have had to happen for the Steelers to keep Faneca?  Will losing him come back to haunt the Steelers this year?

Steely:  

The Steelers, just  like the Eagles, are always willing to let a player leave 1 year early instead of 1 year too late.  They felt he was on the downside of his career and had developed into a problem child for new offensive line coach Larry Zierling due to his displeasure over the Steelers hiring Mike Tomlin as their head coach instead of his long time friend and position coach Russ Grimm, who subsequently joined former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Wisenhunt’s staff in Arizona.  Couple that with the Steelers signing of Big Ben this past winter to a long term extension worth over $100 million which ate up the cap room to sign him long term and it spells for a divorce between a great player and the only team he has ever known since being drafted in the 1st round out of LSU in 1998.

Anytime you lose a pro bowler at any position you will feel the effects on the field, but the organization feels good about the potential of Chris Kemeatou.  Time will tell as the season progresses if they made the right choice.  This is 1 person who does not feel they did, and I am not alone.

Vedder: 

Regarding another selection during the 2008 draft class, what are your expectations for 2nd round pick Limas Sweed, WR from Texas?

Steely: 

When Sweed was drafted, everyone thought that he would fill the role as the “big” receiver that Ben Roethlisberger has coveted since Plaxico Burress left for greener pastures in New York.  The problem he has, which is a rather large problem for a receiver, is he can’t catch the ball consistently.  During the preseason they gave him every opportunity to win the #4 or even possibly the #3 spot, but his inconsistency has led to him being inactive the first 2 games of the season.  Turns out the big receiver role will be filled by Dallas Baker, a practice squad player last year that made the 53 man roster in 2008.  Looks like the Steelers will bring Sweed along slowly as he gains confidence.

Vedder: 

What matchups do you see favoring the Steelers this week and where would you say the Eagles have an edge?

Steely:  

I think the Steelers will have an edge in the running game on offense and defense.  They pride themselves on being able to run the ball and stopping the run, which is evident by top 10 finishes in both statistical categories every year.  Willie Parker will get 20-25 carries as long as the game is close.  He will get stopped for a lot of 1-2 yard gains, but he is a threat to take it the distance at any moment.  On the defensive side of the ball, Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith do a great job of occupying the offensive linemen so the 4 Linebackers can get to the ball carrier.  Throw in Troy Polamalu playing close to the line and it seems they have 12 guys out there at times.  The one thing that can throw a wrench in these plans is to spread out the defense with multiple wr’s and try to gash them inside.  They probably won’t see many carries however as we all know that Andy Reid favors the pass, but he would be wise to mix it up to keep this defense honest.

Two areas where the Eagles have the advantage in my opinion is their Pass Offense and their blitz packages when the Steelers attempt to pass.  As evidenced by the first 2 games of the season, Donovan McNabb doesn’t have a true go to guy and spreads the ball around very well to his receivers and backs.  The Steelers always have problems with teams that have multiple options in the passing game which doesn’t allow them to scheme towards one or two players.   You will see the Steelers play a lot of zone to keep everything in front of them and hope that Donovan McNabb makes a mistake as he methodically moves the team down the field.  The problem is, #5 will have many windows to throw into as the Steelers secondary isn’t necessarily a strength.  Also look for Troy Polamalu to spy Brian Westbrook as he is the one player that might have a prayer of staying anywhere near him in the open field.  If Reggie Brown returns this week, it could make things even more difficult.

As much as the running game for the Steelers offense is fueled by the offensive line, they are surprisingly average when it come to pass blocking.  RT Willie Colon is very poor against speed rushers, and with 2 new starters at Center and Left Guard, they are susceptible to blitzes up the middle as they are not completely comfortable with communicating and switches.  I look for Jim Johnson to bring pressure early and often to get Ben on the ground.  The one thing I will give Ben credit for is if the defense misses him with the initial wave, he is very dangerous outside the pocket making plays down field.  So if the rushers don’t get him, you better hope that trio of high priced CB’s have their guys locked down or it could be an easy 6.  I also hope the Steelers can find ways to get their receivers isolated on Brian Dawkins as he seems to have become somewhat of a liability in pass coverage.  On a side note, I am interested in seeing if the Steelers try to use Heath Miller over the middle of the field similar to how Dallas used Witten on Monday night.  Miller is an underrated receiver, but he has a knack for getting open and has great hands.

Vedder: 

What is your final prediction for the game (and do not reply with “Pain”)

Steely:  Birds 23, Lers 24!!

Vedder:
Thank you Steely for joining us today with your insider take on the Steelers and the great match up this weekend.  With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

Steely:

You are welcome. Um, I think.

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