NFL | Eagles drama trumps even good stuff other Philly teams may do

by Jack Kerwin | [email protected]

Indeed, it is a shocker.

The Phillies, circa 2016, do not suck.

Surprisingly successful thus far, winning nine of their last 10 games, including the last six in a row, they’ve even been – gasp – entertaining in the process.

Hard to believe, Harry.

OK, now let’s get back to our regularly scheduled programming …

All Carson Wentz. All the time.

Kidding aside, while Philly’s MLB outfit is quite the story this spring, worthy of far more attention in town than it is receiving right now, it still pales in comparison to the gift that keeps on giving – to every media outlet known to mankind, not to mention any fan who bleeds or despises Eagles midnight green.

Thanks to de facto GM Howie Roseman’s wheeling and dealing with complete disregard to common sense (Wentz), a pampered veteran’s feelings (Sam Bradford) and police blotters (Wendell Smallwood, Jalen Mills), the city’s NFL franchise, its quarterback situation and its most recent draft effort will be hogging top billing for the foreseeable future – no matter how far that vision extends.

Seriously, soap operas would be jealous of the current “hooks” the Birds have to hold their audience’s attention, and have it begging for more – whether more was meaningful or just absolute drivel.

Really, the fact that Wentz was whisked away to the Eagles’ facility after landing in Philly the day after being selected No. 2 at the NFL’s signature dog-and-pony show brought about boos from one moronic fan thinking his spurned autograph request trumped all drew national media coverage?

Does it get any dumber?

But we love this stuff. Or at least the vast majority of Philly sports fans do.

It is drama and it is never dull.

Remember a year ago … Roseman was considered a joke, an incompetent, pencil-pushing, numbers-cruncher who had no business running the player-personnel aspect of an NFL franchise.

He’s not a “football guy,” we scoffed.

Then we praised the heavens that owner Jeffrey Lurie came to grips with that “reality” and gave Chip Kelly all the power while relegating Roseman to desk-jockey status.

Remember six months ago … Bradford was considered a quality quarterback, a good guy and a great teammate who just needed some luck for once so he could avoid the injury bug that been the main reason his career had veered away from that sure-fire Hall of Fame bust.

What an arm, we crowed.

Then we breathed a sigh of relief when he re-signed with the Birds because, geez, what improvement he showed the second half of the season – we’d never find anyone capable of filling the shoes he seemed to have slipped into so well.
Oh, how times – and realities – can change around here.

We hadn’t even heard of Wentz a year ago, and now he’s toast of the town – a savior, the answer to our prayers for a “franchise quarterback.”

Never mind that he comes to the Eagles with far less credentials than guys selected after him Thursday night … or, frankly, the guy he’s ultimately going to replace, if he hasn’t already run Bradford out of town.

Hello, Sam, it’s Doug … Doug Pederson. Your coach. Just want to let you know we’re excited to see you when you come back, or get a phone that works. You’re our starting quarterback. You’re our guy. We need ya, bud.

Until, of course, we don’t. You know, like when/if Wentz becomes worthy of the hype … and autograph requests.

Time’s yours.

But it’s not quite the Phillies’ time just yet.

Thanks to de facto GM Howie Roseman’s wheeling and dealing with complete disregard to common sense (Wentz), a pampered veteran’s feelings (Sam Bradford) and police blotters (Wendell Smallwood, Jalen Mills), the city’s NFL franchise, its quarterback situation and its most recent draft effort will be hogging top billing for the foreseeable future – no matter how far that vision extends. Seriously, soap operas would be jealous of the current “hooks” the Birds have to hold their audience’s attention, and have it begging for more – whether more was meaningful or just absolute drivel.

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