Eagles fans: Do you see TO becoming a team distraction?

[WilliamPitt]

I got the sense watching ESPN last night that McNabb and the rest of the Iggles are getting kinda cheesed off at TO for making this historic and huge Eagles Super Bowl trip the TO Show. Someone asked McNabb if TO made him a better quarterback, and McNabb pretty much barked, "I'm already a great quarterback. If he made me better, I made him better."

Other players are going out of their way to de-emphasize TO's impact should he return. TO is getting all the press, and odd as it may seem, I really think a lot of those players are looking at him like a spotlight hog. What do you think?

Bear in mind that I am not hating. I hope he plays, because your team needs him and he is an absolute difference-maker. I really hope he doesn't get hurt again. For all his silliness, he is a great player. You have to admire a guy who talks whole oceanliners full of shit and then delivers like UPS: On time and worldwide.

If he comes in during the first series, gets hurt, and then has to be helped off, the Eagles gametime confidence is going to look like the Hindenberg. I hope the coaches play this smart, and don't let his ego dictate terms. Grady Little did that with Pedro in Yankee stadium a couple of Octobers ago, and it did not come out well at all.

[BOSSHOG]

1. For which team??

[WilliamPitt]

2. The Eagles

It's an honest question. I'm not trying to start anything.

[sportndandy]

4. Honest answer:

The Eagles will be less distracted by TO playing then by being asked whether he will be able to or not.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Oh Will, you wacky Patriot Fan

If the Eagle players haven't accepted TO's antics by now, then they should concede and start the off season. There is always some sort of "story" coming out of the week before the Super Bowl. Maybe the big "non-story" is the low profile by the big bad Patriots. Is it the Belechick mystique? Will Brady be bedridden with the flu until the opening kick off? Are Patriot fans already conjuring up alibis? Will Jacksonville have enough "brewskis" for the Eagle Fans for their post game party? Honest questions. I'm not trying to start anything?

[WilliamPitt]

6. No alibis

Chuck Bednarik said today he hopes someone knocks TO out, because he is taking focus off the rest of the team. So maybe my question isn't so loopy.

==

Bednarik, a Hall of Fame linebacker who appeared in a club-record eight Pro Bowls for the Eagles from 1949 to '62, said he respects and admires Eagles coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb. But he said the touchdown celebrations of Terrell Owens make his blood boil.

''Let me tell you something. The worst thing in the world today is these guys who dance after touchdowns,'' Bednarik said. ''That Owens guy, I'd like to wrap my jockstrap around his face.''

http://www.suntimes.com/output/football/cst-spt-nflnt30.html

[sportndandy]

8. Too much two-way play for chuck

I think its time they checked him into the Reagan wing over at Jefferson University Hospital.

[MrSlayer]

9. Bednarik is a major league bitter asshole.

He's anti Eagles now because Jeff Lurie refused to buy 100 copies of his stupid book. He's very bitter about the amount of money players make today. He's just a crusty old jealous bastard.

[BOSSHOG]

12. That surprises me because

I saw an interview with Bednarik about (at least) five years ago and he says he never watches football games anymore because he doesn't like the direction the game has gone. If he doesn't watch, how can he detest what he isn't seeing? And could not "taking the focus off the rest of the team" be a good thing?

[Voltaire]

15. I love Chuck Bednarik

But his views on the modern game are often extreme. The Eagles are well used to T.O. I think the distraction comes from the constant inane questions from the press. But that's the same for every team every year. T.O. talks a lot of smack, but he is money to the Birds and they know it. I am very nervous about the implications of him playing....physically and on the psyche of the team if he gets hurt. Other than that. . .


E A G L E S EAGLES!!!!

[sportndandy]

3. You beat me to it!

It might distract the Patriots, but not the Eagles.

[sportndandy]

7. Here is my Patriot question:

Belichick makes extensive use of the "us v. the world" mentality to fire up his team. That strategy is great for underdogs, but far less effective for favorites.

Do you think the Pats are starting to read their own press clippings? Can Belichick convince his team that they are underdogs and that they have to bring their "A" game against the Eagles? They almost let down against the Panther last year, and the Eagles this year are probably the best team the Pats will face.

(As you can tell I have no respect for the colts, and that is more than I can say for the Pittsburgh frauds)

[WilliamPitt]

11. I don't get it either

It's been an effective formula, but it seems kinda weird to have the no-respect talk coming in one ear and the dynasty nonsense coming in the other.

I don't think they let down against the Panthers last year. Delhomme played out of his mind, and that was a good team. The Pats last year were also a lot like the Steelers this year. Neither destroyed their opponents, but did exactly as much as they needed to win.

So we'll see.

[Arkana]

13. The Patriots go in as underdogs everywhere they go

even if the paper doesn't report it that way. Everyone wants to see us fail. Sportscasters, other teams(duh), columnists, you name it. I think Bill Belichick handles it extremely well--he doesn't allow his players to be taken in by the hype, and thus they stay humble in the face of success.

The Patriots have NEVER forgotten that first miracle season. It's what made them what they are.

[mark414]

14. well said

even though i'm pulling for the eagles i respect the hell out of the patriots, the entire team and organization

[MrSlayer]

10. Nah man, it doesn't effect them.

McNabb is having fun with all this, there is no bitterness or acrimony on the team toward T.O., they all seem to be having a great time.

[joeybee12]

16. But God wants T.O. to play! That's the only reason we're having the Super

Bowl!

HE cured T.O. with His power and majesty!

Amen, amen!

[sniffa]

17. parceLLs might be Leaving the patriots!!?

i remember that working out weLL.

[Champ]

18. No

I'm not an Eagle fan but TO is a focused competitor.

[regularguy]

19. I think it's probably a distraction to the other wide recievers, but

that's their problem. I guess a lot of guys might be tired of the 24/7 TO talk, but I don't see it affecting their game at all. This team is ready!