Letters to the Philadelphia Eagles

I'm still not over this most recent loss. It's heartbreaking. I have not even moved from my chair since the ending of the game. I've just put my hands in my hair and watched the activities unfold.

Even as I wrote my article on the game, I was unsure of what to say. It took me about two hours to sit there and write it, when it would usually take me twenty minutes to recap a game.

I'm still hurting, but I'm willing to feel a little optimism right now. I'm willing to go ahead and write some letters to the Philadelphia Eagles and their key components. Here it goes...

Dear Donovan McNabb,

People do not like you. I think you know that by now. In fact, you've made it clear that you know that, and you have said a lot of controversial stuff in some of your interviews about those people. And as much as some of those comments you make annoy me, I still like you as a player.

You have lead the Eagles to five NFC Championship Games in eight years. That's tremendous. We only won one, yeah. But they were not your fault. The defense played a bit part in a lot of that. So did the lack of a receiver.

You are a terrific quarterback, and I hope you stay with the Philadelphia Eagles for the rest of your career.

Dear Andy Reid,

You did a terrific job down the stretch this season. I have to admit that I criticized your play calling and motivational skills, but now I regret doing so. You showed me that you were willing to change. You directed this team to the NFC Championship Game, and it was our least likeliest one of the five since you have been here.

Speaking of those NFC Championship games, will you please get us to another one? You have done a tremendous job so far, so please stay and bring us back some more hardware, and possibly the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Dear Kevin Curtis,

If only you were our No. 3 receiver. That would mean we would have a solid No. 2, and an even better No. 1 receiver.

You, as a No. 3 receiver, would be terrific. You have shown us glimpses of greatness, but since you are our best receiver you are focused on to a point where you aren't good enough to beat the coverage. (Don't worry, that's a compliment.)

Just hope for another receiver to help you and DeSean Jackson out. But thanks for all that you have done to get us here.

Dear DeSean Jackson,

Hey rookie, how's it going? I know, you just lost the NFC Championship game. But get used to it. You're in Philadelphia now.

Anyway, I'd like to thank you for the job you did this year. I said you were only another Todd Pinkston a few weeks back, but I'm sorry I ever said that. You showed me that you are better than he ever was, even in your rookie season.

I expect big things from you next year. Go get 1,000 receiving yards and a few touchdowns and you would make me happy. But most of all, have fun and the success will come.

Dear Brian Westbrook,

Down year for you Brian, wasn't it? A lot of people think it is because of the load that has been put on you for the past few seasons. I hate to say it, but I agree.

I do not think the old you can come back ever again. I hope you can prove me wrong, but I think your days are almost done. But that doesn't mean I want you to leave. You still have some gas left in the tank, I think. We just need another back to give you a break here and there. Correll Buckhalter might be that back, but Andy is just not giving him a chance. Can you do something about that?

Dear Correll Buckhalter,

Hey, I was just talking about you. I know, I know, you don't get the ball enough. Tell me about it. Just keep your head in the game, and your time will come. I'll do the best I can to get Andy to get the ball your way.

Dear Asante Samuel,

You had a very good year, my man. Finally, we had a free agent signing turn out well.

You broke up so many passes, and you were always there to pick up the defense along with Brian Dawkins. I look forward to seeing you on our team again next year, superstar.

Dear Quintin Mikell,

Dude, you are a great player. Just give it one more year and you will be a Pro-Bowler. Just make sure you decide to re-sign with us. We finally gave you your chance, and it's working, so don't leave and mess it up.

You and Brian make a terrific safety duo. You two pick each other up in the passing game, and never miss tackles. I hope to see you in an Eagles uniform for many years to come.

Dear Joe Banner and Jeffrey Lurie,

*Cough-cough* Wide Receiver *Cough-cough*.

Enough said.

Dear Brian Dawkins,

I saved you for last, Brian.

You are the heart and soul of the Philadelphia Eagles. I have no reason to believe that you will leave us this off-season. But if you do, I will miss you dearly.

In the beginning of this season, many challenged your ability to stay with the receivers and running backs at your old age. You showed them. You tackled anything in your sight and made every play you needed to. That led to a pro-bowl appearance once again.

You are still up there with Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu as one of the best safeties in the game. That's why you are a lock for the Hall of Fame.

So stay with the Eagles. Sign a contract that will lock you up for the rest of eternity. Or the rest of your career. Whichever you prefer.

Dear Entire Eagles Organization,

Thank you.

You were 5-5-1. Us fans knew you were better than that. Then you proved us right by somehow making to the NFC Championship game. That was the real Eagles team.

We deserved to get to the NFC Champ. game, and we did it. We lost, but we still got there. Now all we can do is look ahead to next year.

But before next season, make sure you sign these guys Donovan McNabb and Brian Dawkins.

Oh yeah, a receiver would help, too.