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[TGryn]

Here's a couple of posts that were made to a public Eagles mailing list I'm still on, from back in the middle of the 6-9-1 '97 season. A lot of the comments sound, well, ominously familiar to a lot of recent posts here.

I'm not sure whether this means the warning signs are similar to what preceded the '98 collapse, with history repeating itself, or just a reminder that things have been this bad and worse before. In any case, for some historical perspective:

I repeat... the 1997 Eagles are a *humorous distraction*. I accepted that during the Vikings game, and it has done wonders for my sanity and blood pressure. Please... everyone else looking to vent on the Eagles do the same.

This team is simply too lacking in fundamentals to be considered a serious football team... you just have to look at what they do and laugh when the screw up and cheer when they actually do something right.

1) Special teams cost the Eagles *at least* 6 pts every week. *Just accept it*... its going to happen.

2) None of the Eagles know that basic tackling begins with putting your arms around the player you are trying to tackle... not even any of the offensive players after a turnover.

3) Ty Detmer is incapable (although he used to be able) of throwing the ball so that the receiver can run with it with any regularity. Even worse he throws behind the guy or overthrows the receiver 40% of the time.

Repeat calmly to yourself... "the Eagles are funny to watch... dont take them seriously."

When the Eagles learn football fundamentals that are drilled into high school players, the talent level of the team might mean something.

Until then they are simply a pathetic team barely worthy of pity and scorn. Just dont blow a fuse doing the later... the 1997 Eagles aren't worth the effort. They may yet be able to be a respecatble team, but because of the weak efforts by the coaching staff and players that seems less and less likely.

Lets all just have a good time laughing at a pathetic, fumbling, non-motivated, dis-organized team. Much better for you than actually thinking they can give an effort worthy of your fanaticism on any given week.

I'm not going to rant and rave about this loss, because I understand.

I understand that the Eagles are not a very good football team.

I understand that the offensive line sucks. They only solid player out of all five of them is Steve Everett, and even he's not playing that well. I understand that the offensive line will commit stupid s**t, drive killing penalties every week.

I understand that the defensive line sucks. Mamula comes to play every week, but hasn't produced much yet. At least he tries. Harris is overmatched. Rhett Hall is another of the many Ray Rhodes bust free agents. Hollis Thomas needs to have some real players line up next to him in order to be effective. He's not the type of player who can do it by himself.

I understand that Darrin Smith sucks. Either he's hurt or he plays and stinks up the field.

I understand that Brian Dawkins has regressed and makes drive sustaining mistakes every week.

I understand the Zordich has seen better days. His pass coverage is lacking. You can't fault him for this, he's just getting old.

I understand that without Bobby Taylor, the Eagles already porous secondary will be the worst in the league.

I understand that Detmer isn't an NFL caliber QB. And Peete isn't the answer either. Might as well play Hoying and get him some experience.

I understand that Ricky Watters drops a lot of passes.

I understand that the Eagles have not improved AT ALL during Rhodes' three years as coach. O-Line still sucks, D-Line still sucks, special teams still suck. Overall team talent is no better. At what point does Rhodes take responsibility for the underachieving players that he's brought in or his team's weekly lack of preparation?

I understand that the Eagles may not win even one road game this season. Even the Atlanta game looks like a loss.

This team is not acceptable. This team is embarrassing to watch.

The season's not over yet, but will be with a loss in any of the next three games. They must sweep the Cards and beat Dallass.

Does anyone think that Lurie's looking into a possible coaching change? Call me an idiot for even bringing this up if you want, but the Eagles have underachieved under Rhodes. They have become one of the worst road teams in the NFL, and have developed a tendency to get blown out when facing adversity. They have signed free agents who do not produce, and drafted only a few players who can play.

If the Eagles lose any of their next three games, then it's time to rebuild.

(these were both made after the Jacksonville loss that year. As it turned out, the Eagles won their next two games over Dallas and Arizona to reach 4-4, but finished the rest of the year 2-5-1 as the final slide under Rhodes began.)

[bullwinkle]

This offense has had me thinking about Dana Bible and Bobby Hoying. Actually, I think Dana Bible would have done a better job last Sunday.

[D Rock]

-sigh-

I remember it well.

[TGryn]

Thought this merited a bump, after today's game...

[Zero]

And it ain't a lack of talent.