Just One Before I Die!!! A Eagles Fan Plea
By: Paul Scofield
Just one before I die. That’s all I’ve ever asked of my Philadelphia Eagles. I’ve been a fan for as long as I can remember. I’ve watched, like many other fans, other teams win multiple titles. We’ve seen the dynasties of New England and Dallas in my lifetime. We’ve seen the New York Giants win a couple recently and also the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’ve seen Aaron Rodgers get his first and only, well deserved Super Bowl title. We’ve seen quarterbacks like Trent Dilfer ride on the backs of historical defenses to win a title. Most of us even remember the Cleveland Browns making the playoffs. Yes, you read that correctly. Those same 0-16 Cleveland Browns used to make the playoffs, and they will again soon. That’s a story for another day however.
We, as Eagles fans, have put up with scrutiny from our fellow NFC East fan bases, and rightfully so. The most decorated division in the NFL has a team that hasn’t contributed to the legacy. This is the second time we’ve been in this situation, and guess what. It was against the dynasty New England Patriots and Tom Brady in the 2004-2005 season. That game broke my heart and broke my spirit for this team with. 24-21 loss off the foot of Adam Vinetieri. I’ve seen my North Carolina Tar Heels lose to Gonzaga in the National Championship game on a buzzer beater, desperation 3 point shot; let me tell you that the 2005 Super Bowl hurt so much worse.
The 2005 Eagles were supposed to be that team to get the franchise over the hump. That specific team had a top tier defense and all the playmakers you could ask for on offense. Andy Reid had finally led his guys out of the NFC Championship game for the first and only time during his tenure in Philadelphia. He built a team with the likes of newly selected Hall of Famers Brian Dawkins and Terrell Owens. Behind the quarterback play of Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook at running back. The likes of Corey Simon, Jevon Kearse, Jeremiah Trotter, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown were the pieces of the defense. It was a beautiful thing finally watching Philadelphia lift the NFC Championship trophy and we all thought at we would finally witness the moment of that Lombardi coming to Philly however, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick happened.
Finally, 13 years later in Super Bowl 52, here we are to witness the Eagles in another Super Bowl. Their opponents are a familiar for, the New England Patriots. Although the game has changed and the names are different, these two teams are built on the same principles as they were in Super Bowl 39. Will the Eagles strong defense end a dynasty? Or will Tom Brady put tears on Eagles fans’ faces for a second time?
