Wow. How about that! The Eagles are going to the Super Bowl!
This means so much to so many people in this town. I’m happy for people like the old timer who called WIP the other day. He recalled watching the Eagles play in Shibe Park a long, long time ago, and he has been waiting for this moment for twenty-four years. I’m so happy for the fans in Philly, who love this team passionately, and who can finally breath a sigh of relief.
I was wrong on the score—-I expected the game to be closer and lower-scoring than it was—-but I was right about what would happen in the game:
Here are my notes from the game:
First Quarter
Things started off right with the crowd getting into the game early, forcing Vick to waste a timeout during his first series.
One of my favorite plays happened early on. After a play, Dhani Jones got up and pushed a Falcons player, who pushed him back. Keith Adams, playing for the injured Mark Simoneau, walked into the Falcons player from behind. It was a small moment, but it was a message.
The fake punt was stupid. The only reason why Andy Reid called it is that people in this town have criticized him for not being aggressive enough in previous NFC Championship games. But this was a very bad move. Luckily, the Eagles D stopped them on third and one. Then Reid made a very smart timeout call just before the clock ran out, forcing the Falcons to kick against the wind.
Dorsey Levens is a HAMMER—-he just bangs away. Great touchdown.
Second Quarter
Man, Hollis Thomas nailed Vick as he scrambling towards the end zone. That’s three hundred and six pounds of nasty.
McNabb goes long with a forty-six yard bomb to Greg Lewis. I love Donnie Mac’s deep throws.
How about Chad Lewis, getting both feet in before going out of the end zone. What concentration! I loved the little tufts of dirt that flew up, showing how sharply he planted his toes into the grass.
I listened to the game on the radio—-after last week’s game, I could no longer stand to listen to those idiots on Fox. Merrill Reese, who announces games for the Eagles on WYSP, is one of those signature announcers (like the Phillies’ Harry Calas), who just makes the game what it is.
Dawkins hit Alge Crumpler—-ouch. He came up under him and delivered a hard shot to his solar-plexus from below. The Eagles have been hitting the Falcons—-especially Vick—-hard all day. I love watching these warm-weather dome boys get up slowly after being driven into the ground by an Eagle.
I couldn’t believe it when the booth didn’t call for a replay on the spot of a third down Westbrook run. I thought he made the first down, but Reid couldn’t challenge the spot, and the officials upstairs were too busy to notice that the ball was spotted wrongly.
Keith Adams came up big in the first half.
David Akers seemed to have been hit in the eye on one play. Mike Quick, on the radio, gravely informed us that the diagnosis was a “busted nose.”
Third Quarter
I loved the end-around when McNabb went out as the leader blocker for Westbrook. He cut down his man and Westbrook ran for a first down.
WYSP announcer and former Eagle Mike Quick, when Derrick Burgess sacked Vick: “Now that’s the Michael Vick experience!” Burgess had a great second half.
McNabb throws so hard…you could hear the thump when he drilled Chad Lewis in the chest for a first down.
Fourth Quarter
Just use the clock. Great drive for the Eagles, and especially for the offensive line. They’re giving McNabb all day, and on the plays when someone gets a hand on him, he twists free and finds a receiver.
Westbrook is amazing—-he never goes down after the first hit.
McNabb scrambles for a first down, gets up, and pumps his fists in the air. This is the first time I’ve ever seen McNabb pump up the crowd.
Freddie Mitchell braided his hair into a mohawk and brought a championship belt with him…too bad he made only one significant catch—-a thirteen yard gain for a first down—- in the game.
How great it was to see Jim Mora tearing off his headset and trampling it into the ground.
I loved seeing the team laughing and relaxed. As Mike and Mad Dog pointed out last Friday on the FAN, there have been few teams with as much pressure on them to win a game as the Eagles today. They had to win, or this town would be inconsolable. But the Eagles did a great job of not coming out tight. McNabb led the way by staying loose all week and laughing off the pressure with a relaxed confidence.
And I have to say it’s right that they won—- they were clearly the better team.
Postgame Interviews:
What is bonehead Terry Bradshaw doing out there, dictating what’s happening, and telling Brian Dawkins what to do with the trophy? Why does this man have a job?
When asked what one play made the game, Donovan pointed to his offensive line. You see how smart this guy is? He happens to be right, but he also knows who protects him in the pocket.
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I hope that the Eagles play the Patriots—-that way, when they beat them to win the Super Bowl, there will be no doubt about the greatness of this team.
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