I know that the season has just started. I know that I have no place to make any kind of call, with any number of scenarios possible over the course of the next four months. But here it is, pure and simple: The Patriots are going to the Super Bowl again, and the Eagles are going to be in for a rough time this season. It seems like nothing has been going Philadelphia’s way recently.
After sustaining an injury to the chest in Monday night’s game, quarterback Donovan McNabb sat out the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice on Wednesday. While McNabb has said that he will play in the home opener against San Francisco this Sunday, some concerns remain about his health. It is still uncertain whether or not McNabb will remain on the field throughout the entire game, even if he starts.
In addition, the Eagles find themselves looking history in the face: the previous five Super Bowl losers have had losing seasons the following season. While the Eagles are heavily favored against this 49ers team, their season-opening loss to the Falcons has gotten them off to a rocky start.
Even before the season began ,the Eagles have been in turmoil. There was, of course, Terrell Owens’ criticism of McNabb’s Super Bowl performance and his own nasty, heavily-publicized contract dispute with the team. Defensive end Jerome McDougle was shot in the stomach by armed robbers in Miami right before training camp. While McDougle will eventually be cleared for play, that day is still weeks away, according to his doctors. Defensive tackle Corey Simon, now with the Indianapolis Colts, was cut loose after refusing to report to training camp. And, of course, in this past Monday’s game, middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter was ejected from the season-opener after a pre-game scuffle with Falcons reserve cornerback Kevin Mathis. Safety Brian Dawkins also sprained his ankle on Monday.
Injuries aside, this is a lot for a team to have to deal with after just one game. Owens’ very presence is liability enough. Naturally, there have been teams that have persevered in the face of adversity before. But given the rancor between Owens and McNabb, it remains to be seen whether or not the Eagles will be able to find the unity necessary to make that happen.
