Brian CoaryIn a city where the Eagles have been a topic of conversation at the dinner table over the past couple years, I find myself asking why they are still one of the main topics of conversation this year.
With all the drama that has surrounded the Birds since their disappointing loss in Super Bowl XXXIX to the New England Patriots in early February, many people have forgotten that there are other sports teams in Philadelphia besides the Eagles.
The Eagles, who have a 5-6 record and are fresh off of a four game losing streak, something that has not happened since head coach Andy Reid’s first year at the helm, are not yet numerically eliminated from postseason play but are a long shot to reach football’s second season. Yet, our beloved Birds are still the main focus in the Philadelphia sports world, thanks in large part to outspoken and suspended receiver Terrell Owens and his agent Drew Rosenhaus.
What is disappointing to me is that sitting in the Eagles’ shadow are two very good teams in their respective sports: the Flyers and the 76ers.
The Sixers, who are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division, are fresh off of a six game winning streak after starting the season 0-3 and could be a potential threat once the postseason comes around.
Allen Iverson, who is second in the NBA in points per-game average, posting a little over 33 points a night, finally has some good, young talent around him.
Veteran Chris Webber and youngsters Kyle Korver and Andre Iguodala have been playing extremely well around Iverson, and it looks like they are going to make their presence known throughout the season.
Though the Sixers have been successful as of late, if you watch one of their games on Comcast, you will see thousands of empty seats at the Wachovia Center, and I don’t understand why. The Sixers are not the only team in Philadelphia that lacks support, that’s where the Flyers come in.
The Flyers, who are one of the best teams in the NHL and have arguably the best player in the world in Peter Forsberg, currently sit in second place in the Atlantic division. At the start of the season, the Flyers were the hands-down favorite to win the Stanley Cup, after requiring Forsberg and the Dallas Stars stud defensemen Derian Hatcher.
The Flyers have plenty of young new talent and have two players that sit among the top five for points scored so far this season in Forsberg and Simon Gagne. With all their success, many people in this city couldn’t even tell you how the Flyers are doing or when their next game is.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the Eagles as much as the next guy, but we must remember that there are other teams out there who are doing a lot better than the Eagles, and they deserve our attention too.
Maybe when the Eagles are officially eliminated from playoff contention, people will start talking about the Flyers and the Sixers rather than a loud mouth receiver and his idiotic agent who have poisoned the Eagles’ franchise.
Posted to the web by Brian Coary
