humblealwaysbryant - Tumblr blog

humblealwaysbryant · 11 years

Video

L@

undefined

tumblr

Operators are standing by. Call now!

(Thank you, Jonny and Zack)

7K notes · View notes

humblealwaysbryant · 12 years

Photo

Why was this necessary… I like her better in the pre-photoshop personally…

93 notes · View notes

humblealwaysbryant · 12 years

Photo

8 notes · View notes

humblealwaysbryant · 12 years

Photo

band/tattoo blog. Following back. ☺

157 notes · View notes

humblealwaysbryant · 12 years

Photo

21 notes · View notes

humblealwaysbryant · 12 years

Text

The Break Up That Ruined A Legacy In Philly

By. Bryant Alexander

Andy Reid’s career as coach of the Philadelphia Eagles is now just a few weeks from being over, as now the Eagles are at a dismal 3-8 one of the worst records under the Andy Reid era.

It’s the undoubted fate for the once heavily beloved coach in Philly. Since 2010 the Philadelphia Eagles have never been the same as to their winning ways of the past last decade when Andy Reid first took the position back in 1999. Although some may say it’s due to many issues I say it all leads to just one, just one decision that would change the very culture of the Eagles for possibly a long time.

That decision would be to pull the plug on the Donovan McNabb project and start fresh with former 2nd round pick Kevin Kolb who at the time caused some controversy when the Eagles decided to draft a QB so highly in 2008 with already having a franchise Quarterback.

Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb both got their respective careers on a hot streak the moment they began the workload of turning a weak franchise of the 90’s into a NFC Powerhouse of the new millennium. In their first 7 years together Andy and Donovan managed to produce 4 NFC Championships appearances with a victory in one of them and a shot at a Lombardi where they came up just 3 points short of a Super-bowl championship.

Despite all that, Philadelphia’s management never seem too had given Donovan the one thing he requested; A play maker specifically at the wide receiver position, I mean the one year he did have a productive Terrell Owens he got Philadelphia its second shot at the big dance in franchise history.

After a reasonable request with a resume to prove success had it been granted again for the second time. Donovan McNabb faced heavy criticism the following summer after making a blog about how he wanted more play makers there in Philadelphia. Fans and the media begun to make a mockery of Donovan, the same fans that booed Donovan the moment it got out he would be setting foot into the role of a franchise quarterback for the Eagles on draft day. To me I found it shocking as a fan that a man that was willing to do so much for a city and team was still the pun of all jokes, the same man that turned us from pushovers to contenders.

Little did Donovan know it was just the start of a roller coaster for a long and eventful 2008 season, in a tightly contested game against Cincinnati Andy Reid made Donovan attempt 58 passes a career high for him. It didn't affect McNabb in a positive way as he threw a season high 3 interceptions where the game had ended in a tie. Despite the questionable decisions of the coaching staff of that game Donovan McNabb was again the pun of all jokes, this time for not knowing games could end in a tie in the NFL.

The following week McNabb would struggle heavily in the first half against the Ravens with 2 interceptions, a sack, and a lost fumble. Eagles Fans booed as they watched the game unravel and almost as if Andy was watching his best friend get bullied he never helped or stood up to the bully with him instead he took the easy way out and benched McNabb to please the angered crowds of fans.

On Thanksgiving in a Prime time game, where everyone was watching, and despite a week of embarrassing criticism Donovan’s number was called. Through all of it McNabb’s tough exterior rose again as he put on a clinic against the Cardinals under the big spotlight not only was McNabb saving his career in Philly he was also saving Andy Reid who was starting to take criticism as well.

The solid duo didn't stop there or the piggyback ride Donovan McNabb was giving Andy didn't stop there, Donovan would go on to put up his highest passing yards in a season and a franchise record 419 points in a season as the Eagles QB. Despite Andy turning his back on McNabb as if dumping him McNabb accepted him back this time with an even stronger bond. For the 7th time the Eagles were in the playoffs under the 9th season the coach-QB duo had begun, but this time they seemingly sprinted through the competition on its way to a 5th NFC Championship appearance.

What?!?!? Who would have thought that despite all the ups and downs these two would still be standing ready for a second shot at sealing their legacy in the NFL? Well that’s what was occurring but do to what I still say to this day is a pass interference call on Dominique Rodgers Cromartie when a pass to Kevin Curtis never connected after DRC fell onto the legs of Curtis thus ending the story book season. Even then when Donovan manages to do so much with so little weapons, unappreciative fans, a somewhat disloyal head coach, and with the typical media McNabb was the one everyone blamed.

Fast forward through the 2009 season Donovan would put the Eagles in position to compete in January by cruising through competition. In the playoffs against Dallas the Eagles were routed by the Cowboys due to many mishaps, struggles on defense and McNabb outta his groove without his starting center the criticism was at an all-time high.

Andy Reid never once backed up his quarterback in the media. The man Andy drafted the moment he came into position at Philadelphia and it was at a time where he needed it most he never did. It was almost as if Andy was fine being out of the pits of fire and anguish of the Philadelphia fans that he just watched in horror as the media barbecued his quarterback. It was weird to me that when it came to winning coaching-QB duos Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb were 3rd next to Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning and Bill Belichick and Tom Brady yet Andy Reid never act like it. The man he chose to lead his team he never insured he was his guy, and on April 4th after lying to the press, me, and other fans that McNabb was his guy he allowed other influences to get him into trading Donovan away less than a week later.

At first Andy was seemed like a genius as the reemergence of Michael Vick and out casting of Kevin Kolb from the picture came about with MVP like numbers and performances for the Eagles and Donovan McNabb soon losing his starting job in Washington going into the 2010 season. I even was starting to believe in this decision while also feeling bad for a quarterback that has always deserved much more than he got. Something was odd though when the Eagles were playing Green Bay in the playoffs and when a late 2 min drive to get the go ahead score landed in the hands of a defender Tramon Williams while Desean Jackson ran wide open in the end zone.

It was a pass the so called inaccurate McNabb would have easily made but, Vick didn’t he tried to pull the pocket passer move and failed. I mean but, heck what a ride for Andy and the new Vick era right? Well the season would prove nothing after failing to meet extremely high expectations of a “Dream team” the following season and the one going on after that as you read today. As McNabb’s phone stopped ringing the door began closing on Andy Reid just as quickly.

As Vick continued to open his mouth and speak more and more to the media of championship dreams it seemed more and more Andy was starting to miss the quiet #5 that laid it all on the field rather than training camp media. More and more I argued the Eagles can win a Super bowl when more and more I watched of Vick doubt grew. I never thought Kolb had what McNabb had or Vick either; McNabb found ways to win the other guys couldn't.

Vick has a huge heart and I like how hard he has fought to find the success that McNabb had, but I think Vick is a dazzling QB that makes plays with his feet outside the pocket. The Eagles offense under Marty and Reid wants Vick to stay in the pocket scan his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd option and make the correct throw. Well it’s caused much of Vick’s health as he stood in the pocket, play in, and play out thinking Throw! , No run! No throw! Whack! Big hit as a last second pass is intercepted or fumbled. In my opinion the moment McNabb left, Andy Reid has struggled and things have not been the same we’re 21-23 without the big guy. McNabb is no longer in the NFL without the Eagles and soon Reid will be also unemployed.

Andy Reid allowed himself to believe that Kevin Kolb was the true answer to the Eagles woes of not winning the big game when he had just 3 starts under his belt. A quarterback he felt even through 5 NFC Championships, 9 Pro bowls, and a Super Bowl appearance that the guy he drafted wasn't the answer. Yeah McNabb also was a mobile QB like Michael Vick but, McNabb always wanted to be the “pocket passer” which is why the style of play worked with Marty and #5. The Kolb experiment never got going and it seems the Michael Vick one isn't going to work either which just proves the cliché of “If it ain't broke why fix it?”

#Eagles #DonovanMcNabb #AndyReid #PhiladelphiaEagles

2 notes · View notes

humblealwaysbryant · 13 years

Photo