Spanning Generations

Prior to kickoff there's always this hope, an optimism about what could potentially happen on field that day. No matter what the circumstances are, before the game actually begins, there's an anticipation of what could be, what could potentially occur during those four quarters.

We could witness a "Miracle at the Meadowlands" type moment or a record setting performance from one of our players, you just never know. Of course we would love to have one of those moments occur, quite fittingly on the day the team is going to be celebrating it's 75th anniversary, but when it all comes down to it, we just want to win.

Not only do we want to win, we need to win. It might be seen as ridiculous to declare any game in September a must win, but this has to be as important a September game as I can remember.

Defeating the Lions, getting that first win, is what has to happen to get the ball rolling here. Dropping to 0-3 would be the worst start of Andy Reid's career here in Philadelphia and that is a milestone we want to avoid at all costs.

On a day set to honor those men who have played on this team throughout its 75 year history, namely the guys who were before there time, not receiving any where near the credit that players receive today, this current roster has to pull through.

The last time we had a day at the Linc similar to this was during the 2005 season we set a Monday Night game against the Seahawks as a day where we were going to retire the late Reggie White's number and honor one of the best Eagles to ever play the game. I am still humiliated by the outcome of that match-up, somewhat understandably considering we had Mike McMahon at Quarterback, we lost 42-0.

Shut out, allowing Seattle to score 42 points on a night that was dedicated to Reggie, I'll never forget that. The season was in dire condition at that point in 2005 with a laundry list of injuries and a team already looking ahead to the next season, but there were no excuses for really butchering a night where we not only had Reggie's family on the field but past teammates as well.

The ceremony on Reggie's behalf at half-time was still memorable but it goes without saying that the night was tarnished.

I would love to have that game back, for that dedication to have been scheduled for another week, one in which the conditions were much improved. But that's not possible.

So now I not only have an urgency to win for the 2007 Eagles, but to win for the 1948, 1949, 1960, and 1980 Philadelphia Eagles. The players need to take this time to thank the guys that came before them who really provided them with the opportunity to live the lives that they are right now. In the same respect, the fans want to thank the guys that have provided us with so many memories, all of the moments that have made this team what it is today.

This time around with Seth Joyner, Eric Allen, Clyde Simmons, Tommy McDonald, Troy Vincent, Steve Van Buren, Chuck Bednarik, among others all present to be honored for being voted by the fans to the 75th Anniversary Team, we have to win for them. Forget what this would mean to the current status of our team, we've been through that enough times and as of yet nothing seems to have provided this team with that spark they need to get things together.

But if you're playing on this team today and you look over to the sidelines and see Concrete Charlie standing next to Seth Joyner, spanning generations of football or Andre Waters mother standing next Jerome Brown's son, reminding you of those that aren't here anymore, and don't get goosebumps, you don't have a pulse.

Today goes much deeper than the Eagles against the Lions, it is representative of every man who has worn a Philadelphia Eagles jersey and along with that, the 75 years of elation, suspense, and the all to often heartbreak.

Win for Andre, win for Reggie, bring it home for Jerome.