Last week, Sports Illustrated came out with the “NFL's Worst,” and it labeled the Eagles fan base as the most hated. Yes there have been one, or two, or maybe a dozen, bad moments at Eagles games, but that could be said about any stadium and fan base. So, the fact that the article’s biggest example is when Eagles fans threw snowballs at a man in a Santa suit 47 years ago is just absurd. In all actuality, we are just a misunderstood fan base that is passionate about our team and is blamed for the actions of the generation of fans before us. What many people assume is craze and insanity is in reality a city in a perpetual state of hope just waiting for that one magnificent year that will change Philadelphia forever.
So, in response to SI’s outdated reasoning, to help clarify what Eagles fans are all about, this list reveals the 10 most common thoughts we have.
1) This WILL be our year
The Eagles are rarely predicted as a Super Bowl contender, but are constantly in the playoff hunt. Teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers are clearly better than Philadelphia, but the rest of the NFC is pretty much up for grabs. All the Birds need is consistent play and to stay healthy, and maybe, just maybe, the playoffs are in sight.
2) Chip better know what he’s doing
Chip Kelly won a power struggle with GM Howie Roseman during the offseason and now has complete control over personnel. Staples of the offense under former head coach Andy Reid are gone–LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, the list goes on and on. But it seems like the additions of Kiko Alonso and Byron Maxwell could pay off and finally give us some defensive stability while DeMarco Murray and Ryan Matthews are great replacements for McCoy.
3) Will Sam Bradford ever play a whole season?
Bradford was the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He then won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Sam Bradford has a strong, accurate arm. However, the former Oklahoma football player has had the past two seasons cut short because of ACL injuries.
4) The secondary cannot be any worse, can it?
The secondary last year has been atrocious. The defense was last in passing defense in 2013 and penultimate in 2014 (yes they’re on the field more, but that doesn’t excuse their play). Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams were constantly getting burned. The safety help that was supposed to come after one of the corners got beat came from safety Nate Allen, and he was often a step too late. Luckily none of them are any longer on the roster. The Eagles signed free agents Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond III, while also drafting three players to improve the secondary.
5) I hope the Cowboys crash and burn
There truly aren’t words to describe this hatred. The Cowgirls failure is almost as joyous as the Eagles' success. The success they had last year was truly depressing, and Dez, that wasn’t a catch! Remember 44-6? In the final week of the 2008 season, the Bears and Buccaneers needed to lose (which happened) in order to set up a "win and in" situation for the Eagles v. Cowboys game. This game was a thing of beauty. Eagles 44, Cowboys 6.
6) How does Eli Manning have two rings?
It’s mind-boggling to think about Manning’s playoff success. Let’s not confuse the Manning brothers. Eli, the younger, less-skilled brother, has two Super Bowl rings. It’s painful and cuts deep. But it’s also confusing because Manning’s performance is mediocre at best.
7) Washington is just pathetic
The Washington Redskins have finished last in the NFC East in six of the past seven years. During that time period, the Redskins have accumulated a 40-72 record (for a .357 win percentage). With such little success in recent years, there’s very little animosity between them. It isn’t necessary to kick them when they’re down. After all, they aren’t Dallas.
8) Can Brian Dawkins un-retire?
Brian Dawkins was the staple of the Eagles’ defense for over 10 years. Weapon X was the true definition of a leader. He always made big plays when the defense needed it. The saddest day in Eagles’ fans’ lives was February 28, 2009 when he agreed to a three-year deal with the Broncos. The Eagles are still trying to replace him at safety.
9) Are we really that bad?
Philadelphia fans have a brutal reputation. There may have been an instance where Santa Claus was the target of some snowballs. Michael Irvin’s career ended when he hurt his neck in a game at Veteran’s Stadium, and there are reports of fans cheering while he laid motionless on the ground. There also may or may not have been a jail and judge on duty during Eagles games at the Vet. These types of events obviously overshadow seemingly minor altercations like when two people were shot at a Raiders-49ers PRESEASON game. Philly fans are very simple: play your hardest, leave it all out on the field, and win the damn game. There's just that small part where if you fail to do any of them, you'll face the wrath.
10) I want to see ONE before I die
There have been 49 Super Bowls so far. The Eagles have participated in two of them, coming up short each time. Even though they haven’t won the big game, the Birds have had their share of recent success. Since 2000, the Eagles have made the playoffs 10 times, going to the NFC Championship in half of those appearances. Regardless of their success, this city is starving to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
To Sports Illustrated: Come to Philly, try a cheesesteak and go to an Eagles game, if you think were the most hated after that–we still won’t care. FLY EAGLES FLY ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY!
