Champagne Hangover

It's not very often when someone can hang a hangover after drinking too much champagne.

Let me rephrase that - it's not very often when a Philadelphia sports fan can have a hangover from drinking too much champagne.

While me and five of my friends emptied 2 bottles of the finest André California Champagne in a matter of minutes, the euphoria felt from that particular alcoholic beverage lasts longer than the time it takes Pat Burrell to get to first base on a single off the wall (an eternity for those who don't know).

Champagne's bubbly essence is one that gives off a different notion than any other drink. It is bubbly - used for a lively, exciting occasion. What better drink to be downed than this particular one on October 29th, the night that Philadelphia won its first championship in 25 years. Although the morning after seems to be lasting a lot longer than we initially expected...

The Eagles capped off their inspiring play in the PDE (Post Draught Era) with a miraculous, thrilling, five quarter overtime tie - yes you heard me right - tie, with the Bengals of Cincinnati, the proud owners of the second worst record in the National Football League at 1-8. Well, Philadelphia Inquirer, prepare to expand the cells in your standings column to include something that hasn't been seen since 2002 (take note that by this time Donavon McNabb had been in the league for four years). Move over "points scored" column and "points allowed" column and make way for the third decision in the NFL, the tie. It may not come around but once every 6 years, and former Pro-Bowl Quarterbacks may not know that this rule even exists, but go ahead and print it. The Eagles have been inspired to the point of scoring 31 against the Giants and flipping those digits around for the lowly Bengals.

If this doesn't spell out the end of the Reid/McNabb era in Philly, then I sure as hell don't know what will. Barring winning out and salvaging a first round playoff victory, the soft spoken, press-conference-grunting walrus who has paced the sideline of the Green and White for 10 years will be told to pack his bags at the end of the year. Zipping his suitcase shut as well will be the Eagles all-time leader in touchdowns and wins, as well as the NFL leader in least interceptions per pass attempt.

Time will tell how Donovan's time is remembered in Philly. Which image of him flashing those pearly whites will we remember? The one after throwing a touchdown? The one after throwing an interception? Or perhaps the one of his oh-too-familiar grimace after suffering an injury? There are two things for certain. 1. There has never been a better quarterback in Eagles History. 2. That is unfortunately not saying much.

Those who know me know that I've been a McNabb hater ever since he came back too quickly for the 2002 playoffs. I have been on his case for every mistake and I have been reluctant to praise him. The truth is - I hold a soft spot for the Syracuse product. I've had a few #5 jerseys in my closet and continue to wear one today. The man has done more for this franchise at the quarterback position than anyone else. I recognize what he is, but unlike Reid, I recognize what he is not. He is not Tom Brady or a Manning (yes that is referring to both of them). He has big play capability but not big game capability. McNabb will be remembered not for his triumphs, but rather for smiling and laughing after each one of those interceptions, throwing up at crucial times on the field, and never getting the win that has eluded all of Philadelphia - the win in the Superbowl.

True to where he came from, Reid is following the Green Bay quarterback model. It appears he has tried to get whatever he can out of McNabb, while grooming Kevin Kolb for the future, just as Aaron Rodgers did behind Brett the Jet. While Brett is putting up better than healthy numbers for the Jets, Rodgers is having one hell of a "rookie" year for the Pack. By keeping him on the bench for 3 years, the Packers may have shaken off the inevitable rookie mistakes that your Vince Young's, Jay Cutler's, and Eli Manning's have all experienced.  Rodgers has shown the poise that many veterans (and Matt Ryan) have through their careers. Maybe Philly is done with their Campbell's Chunky Soup and is finally ready for a buttered up corn on the Kolb.

In other Philadelphia team hangover news...

The Flyers look like they are finally ready to play up to their team capability. With points in 3 straight games on the road including a key win in the noisy Bell Centre Arena, and a character building comeback but eventual shootout loss to the Penguins in the 'burgh, the Fly Guys are back on track. The team is showing that it can win not just against the Thrashers, which we have all known since 1999, but against teams that actually have actually been blessed with the talent to compete.

One thing that John Stevens has shown is that the team's successes and failures are not to be thrown on him. In a game that demands more in-game and in-play reactions than any other sport, the Flyers show up some days and decide not to on others. They may want to consider trading some of those offensive goals for the discipline necessary to play tight, unyielding defense. It is up to the hockey players more so than in other sports than coach to determine the outcome of a hockey game.

In the conference formerly known as the Leastern, the Sixers seem to be shaking off their early, young, team rust. While I have said time and again that this team needs about 25 games under their belt before any serious judgments can be made, actually wining some games can erase that time period. The main problems still facing this team are those as expected - an inconsistent 82 million dollar swingman who can't shoot (iggy), no starter who can steadily drain the three, and the most overpaid bench player/gunner on this side of the Delaware (Willie Green). Again, the success of this team remains to be seen, although it can be deemed an early accomplishment if they play .500 ball for the first quarter of the season or so.

The sweetness of the 2008 World Series Champs has not gone bitter in the least bit. Whenever I feel upset at another team I just remember that the thing I have hoped for my whole life has finally happened. I raise my empty André California Champagne bottle to the Phillies, in hopes that these other disappointments known as The Eagles, Flyers, and Sixers can lead to a full bottle again.