Gonzo: Eagles have gone missing

November 22, 2009|By John Gonzalez, Inquirer Columnist
  • Can't see us: Eagles head coach Andy Reid and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin on the sideline in San Diego, where the Birds failed to show up in a 31-23 loss to the Chargers.

Local and national authorities are asking for your help with a new Andy Alert. The following information has already been passed to law enforcement officials across the country and will also begin appearing on milk cartons today.

Missing: Big Red's Philadelphia Eagles and their Super Bowl aspirations. Including: head coach Andy Reid, quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick, the running game, Wildcat offense, red-zone offense, offensive line, run defense, kickoff return specialists, clock-management assistant, and the franchise's best (but most underutilized) employee, Common Sense.

Age: 11 seasons old.

Description: Reid was last seen wearing all black. He frequently hides behind a bushy mustache, laminated play-calling chart, and the phrase "I need to do better." The rest of the Eagles often don midnight green and white, along with confused looks - generally on running downs, during two-minute drills, and whenever a challenge flag is thrown by their head coach. Team president Joe Banner, who is not among the missing and who is coordinating interagency efforts from the team's NovaCare Complex headquarters in South Philadelphia, recently implored law enforcement officials to look for "the best roster in the league." The FBI obliged. Early this morning, separate searches began in earnest in New Orleans and Indianapolis.

Last known location: The Eagles were last seen at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Nov. 1, during a bloody, one-sided confrontation with the New York Giants. Following what turned into a public flogging of their division rivals, Eagles defensive end Trent Cole told The Inquirer, "I think we did send a statement. Now we want to keep building upon that statement." Reid added that "when you play these NFC East teams, you prepare for a heavyweight fight."

Curiously, the Birds never entered the ring the following week when another NFC East opponent - the Dallas Cowboys - came to town. Team officials became concerned and notified the authorities even though the Eagles have a well-established history of vanishing midway through any given season.

Similarly, the Eagles failed to arrive in San Diego for a scheduled clash with the Chargers last weekend. Eyewitness reports claim the Birds boarded a plane for the West Coast, but Californians and fans confirm the team never showed up at Qualcomm Stadium.

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