The Real "Pedal to the Metal" - Tuesday, August 26, 2008
189 Views :: 0 Comments ::  :: Michael Bradley As the 2008 season unfolds, Eagles fans should have the words "pedal to the metal" echoing in their heads. If the team's offense staggers or its D is unable to produce a sufficient number of turnovers, owner Jeffrey Lurie's cliche about doing everything possible to win will provide a haunting reminder about the organization's hypocrisy when it comes to going for a title. Kevin Curtis is hoping his repaired sports hernia will be ready for action on opening day. Reggie Brown thinks his tweaked hamstring will be fine, too. Even with them in the lineup, the Eagles still lack a first-rate receiver. If they're out of action, things get worse. And don't try to give me the exhibition game win over New England. The Pats weren't gameplanning for the Birds and didn't jam the Eagles' reserves at the line too often. If that quartet is it for the game vs. St. Louis on Sept. 7, look for trouble. I revisit this issue because Cincinnati wideout Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson suffered a partially torn labrum last weekend against the Lions. Though he plans to play through the pain, the Bengals are taking no chances. ESPN's Chris Mortensen was reporting Cincy was offering top RB Rudi Johnson in a trade for an established receiver. Imagine that. The Bengals stunk last year and are in an organizational shambles because of an inability to stock the roster with players who can stay out of trouble. Yet when a yawning personnel need presents itself, even GM Mike Brown -- the chief enabler of thugs like Chris Henry and Odell Thurman -- knows what to do. Meanwhile, Curtis goes down, and Andy Reid tells us all is fine. Brown hurts himself twice in two games, and there is no reason for worry. Worse, even with those two, the Birds have a sub-standard receiving corps. Meanwhile, the Bengals have both Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (112 catches, 12 TDs), and they're still looking for help. That's how it's done. There is a good chance the Eagles will mount a charge for the NFC East title. They could well win it and might even reach the Super Bowl in a below-par NFC. But if things don't go well, fans would be wise to remember Lurie's words. And throw them back at him with the force of a Randy Johnson fastball. |