No Such Thing as a Tie
What may be even more stunning, then the fact that the Eagles could not beat the hapless Bengals, is the fact that some of the players didn’t know it was possible to tie them. After the game ended at 13 all, Donovan Mcnabb had this to say:
“I guess we’re aware of it now,” McNabb said. “In college, there are multiple overtimes, and in high school and Pop Warner. I never knew in the professional ranks it would end that way. I hate to see what would happen in the Super Bowl and in the playoffs.”
Really? Is it possible he didn’t know this? Even if he didn’t, why in god’s name did he admit it? It reminds me of the time my friend ”The Neck” couldn’t come out and drink with the guys. When I asked why he said, “Kim (his girlfriend at the time) and I are going to get a bottle of wine, cozy up by a fire, and watch “Kissing Jessica Stein.” I stared at him in disbelief for what seemed like an hour. He immediately realized he should have lied. All I could come up with in return was, “I don’t follow,” and I didn’t. Although I remember thinking this must be what it’s like to be neutered. Maybe even more stunning is that a couple of McNabb’s friends decided they too would admit their naivety.
“I thought we kept playing,” linebacker Omar Gaither said.
Even more frightening, Andy Reid supported his players.
“I’m sure there are plenty of rules that guys don’t understand, but I don’t think that has any factor whatsoever to do with the outcome of this game and how they played in the overtime. I’ll take responsibility for that.”
I imagine this conversation on the sideline:
Donovan McNabb - Damn, we’re going to have to win in double OT.
DeSean Jackson - Weird, I don’t remember any NFL team ever winning in two OT’s.
Donovan McNabb - Awesome, we’ll be the first…just run a post on the next play and take it to the house.
DeSean Jackson What’s a post?
Donovan Mncabb - no idea….run to the field goal.
Andy Reid – Ok Donovan, hail mary.
Donovan Mcnabb - Coach, first off, I am Muslim, secondly that is a poor playcall even for you.
Omar Gaither – (running off the field after Graham’s missed kick) Ha, the Bengals said the game is going to end in a tie….thats funny….wait what is a tie?
DeSean Jackson - No idea, I’m running a post coach.
Donovan Mcnabb – Do I really look like Waldo Faldo from family matters?
Andy Reid – Look, just throw the ball to the goal line.
Desean Jackson – Whats a goal line?
Andy Reid- Oh that’s right, remember we went over this after the Monday night fiasco. The goal line is what you have to carry the ball over to score 6 points
(Running onto the field) DeSean Jackson - Ha.. Good one coach, goal line, that’s funny
Donovan McNabb – Don’t worry coach we’ll get em in double OT.
