YESTERDAY I wrote an article about Eagles CB Byron Maxwell guaranteeing that the Eagles will play in Super Bowl 50. While I was not a big fan of the Maxwell signing originally, I was glad to see him put that pressure on himself and his teammates. Other fans were not so happy, and would have rather Maxwell not said anything at all.
While I made mention of the positive effect that publicly stating a goal can have, some fans were quick (too quick) to point out the Vince Young “Dream Team” comment from 2011-2012. Because the Eagles went 4-12 that year, some fans are now afraid of the notion that an Eagles player would make plain what should be the goal and the attitude of EVERY NFL player. Especially in the month of May, for fuck’s sake!
I see Eagles fans running their mouths about the team “gonna win the division” and “go 14-2, 15-1, 16-0” every year. But GOD FORBID a player does it! They’re just the people who’re actually supposed to produce the predictions that fans keep running their mouths about. Apparently people who watch the game get to publicly have expectations, but people who play aren’t to do the same. I call bullshit on that.
Personally I’m sick of feeling like I want to win more than the players do. I’m tired of all these humble, good-guy types who don’t have enough inner fire to win a playoff game. Meanwhile Seattle and San Francisco, Baltimore and New England make a habit of playoff runs. I’m actually glad an Eagles player is stepping up. And you know what, if you’re one of those loudmouths who like to tell rival fans that we’ll win the division, you should be too. Hell, all the player is doing, is backing up what you said. Unless you didn’t really mean it when you said it.
Some fans have been scarred for life by the words “Dream Team”. The media hopped on two words from a newly signed, back-up QB who was trying to rebuild his career and his life; and fans are hurt because they chose to run with those words, instead of dismissing them as the words of a newly signed back-up QB who was trying to rebuild his career and his life. Meanwhile today Vince Young’s words are treated like nuclear waste, when his only crime was publicly stating his belief in the team he played for. Shame on an Eagles player for doing such a thing. That’s the attitude of some fans. Not me. How about you?
You always make me smile Eagle. As you know I am one of the fans who didn’t like the word “guatantee” out of Maxwell. As I said, I do love the swagger and confidence but, as a realist and an oft times too literal type of person, it’s IMPOSSIBLE to guarantee a SB appearance in this instance. For the folks who love it, is anyone saying they’re a little bummed he didn’t guarantee a SB WIN? Does this mean he’s not that confident? The words themselves are totally meaningless to me. I think he could’ve conveyed confidence, attitude, swagger etc with many, many other choices of words. As always, FLY EAGLES FLY!
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