Joby Martin

NFL football more than a game to Philly sports fans

By: Joby Martin

Posted: 1/21/05

Whoever coined the phrase "only a game" had obviously never been to Philadelphia.

This Sunday's 'Battle of the Birds' is, technically, only a game.

But let's be honest here, folks. There are 1.2 million hearts that will break, simultaneously, should the Eagles lose this 'game.' The hopes and dreams and desires of so many Philadelphians will go unfulfilled, yet again. They will be left only with the prospect of next year.

How is it that a children's game has so much relevance to so many people?

Therein lies the paradox in which sport is based on. Sports is leisure - it's just a game.

But it's not - it's so much more than that.

This Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons will leave the cozy, climate-controlled confines of the GeorgiaDome. Their cold comfort will be the hostile home of your Philadelphia Eagles.

And boy will it be cold. Temperatures will hover in the teens. Every breath will be plain to see before evaporating into the same January air that stings our ears and toes. Brave fans will wrap themselves in more layers than a wedding cake, and probably still get frostbite.

This is playoff football. This is what it's all about. Drama like this wins Academy Awards. Myths and legends are made in a moment's time - just ask Freddie Mitchell's hands.

In this arena, the gladiators are measured in threes and sevens, fumbles and interceptions, wins and losses.

And thus far, the Eagles have been measured in losses. Three, to be exact. Three losses, back-to-back-to-painful-back. Three years, loss-after-loss-after-haunting-loss. If the third time is the charm, what in the hell is the fourth?

The fourth is Sunday, 3:00 PM. Be there or... no, just be there.

What you will see this Sunday is a city full of people desperate to learn the hard way. People who, after years and years of disappointment and heartbreak, still cling to that shred of hope that maybe, yes- maybe this really could be our year.

If that doesn't speak to the character of our city- my city- than I don't know what will. God forbid they actually do win, for only the good Lord knows what sort of reaction there will be.

This city may very well burn to the ground.

This isn't the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Atlanta Falcons. This is Philadelphia vs. anything and everything that stands in the way of our collective dream. Bring it on.

This year's adversary boasts the top rushing attack in the NFL. Atlanta averages 167 rushing ypg, good for the #1 spot.

The pundits and the talking heads will tell you that the Eagles defense has been porous against the run all year. They are half right. The Eagles run defense has been revitalized by the mid-season insertion of Jeremiah Trotter into the starting lineup, as well as the emergence of reserve DT's Sam Rayburn and oft-injured Hollis Thomas.

This year's adversaries feature the NFL's most improved defense. After finishing 32nd, dead last, in total defense in 2003, they made an impressive jump to 14th, thanks to the defensive-mided leadership of rookie head coach Jim Mora Jr and defensive coordinator Ed Dontaell, of fourth-and-26 fame.

But the X-factor in Sunday's game is number seven, Michael Vick. Mind-boggling, jaw-dropping, did-you-just-see-that Michael Vick has rushed for 902 on 120 carries this year, good for 7.5 yards per carry.

In contrast, Brian Westbrook ran for 812 yards on 177 carries, averaging 4.6 ypc.

To combat Vick's ability to slash and dash, the Eagles will turn to defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, who does not get the national recognition he deserves. Johnson's defenses have traditionally been able to contain QB's who move out of the pocket. This year, opposing QB's averaged just 3.5 ypc against the Birds.

Let's hope that trend continues this Sunday.

But the gameplan is obviously not to stop Vick, that's impossible. The gameplan is to contain him, which is still nearly impossible.

Perhaps the best weapon against Vick will be the Eagles' offense. If McNabb and the offense are able to jump out to an early lead, conventional football wisdom would tell us that Vick would be forced into trying to beat us with his arm.

But Vick averaged only 144 passing yards per game this year. Those numbers suggest that Vick is only capable of beating one thing with his arm... and that sure as hell ain't the Eagles.

And you wouldn't be able to tell by last week's game, but the Eagles also have a QB who can run the ball.

Yes, Andy Reid has successfully stifled McNabb's desire to take off out of the pocket. McNabb's transformation into a pocket passer is complete.

But when the game is on the line, when a big play is needed in order to win, the green light is on. McNabb will take off. Hopefully, it won't come down to that.

Hopefully this is the year the Eagles take that next step. Hopefully history will not repeat itself, repeat itself. Hopefully this is the year that fans will be euphorically anxious during that two week wait before the Super Bowl, and not forcing themselves to come to terms with the fact that some other city, some other fans will celebrate this year.

Hopefully...

We are, if nothing more, hopeful.

Joby Martin is a pre-junior majoring in communications. He can be reached at jbm362@drexel.edu.