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Hey Eagles fans, meet some real bird brains

Cassel

BY TOM MAHON, Daily News Staff Writer

Posted: October 09, 2012

NATIONALLY, Eagles fans have a reputation of being arrogant Neanderthals who throw snowballs at Santa Claus and cheer opposing players when they go down.

Those things have happened - a long time ago. The snowball incident occurred at Franklin Field during the final game of the 1968 season (44 years ago). And fans cheered when then-Cowboys star Michael Irvin laid motionless on the turf with a neck injury during a game at the Vet in October 1999 (13 years ago).

Yet, the national media still runs with those stories with LeSean McCoy-like passion.

Which brings us to the Chiefs-Ravens game in Kansas City on Sunday, when fans cheered when Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel left in the fourth quarter with a head injury.

The reason? They want Brady Quinn to take over.

On Monday, there were a smattering of stories about the incident, but no national outcry.

Also on Monday, it was announced that Chiefs fans may indeed get Quinn under center because Cassel suffered a concussion on the hit by the Ravens' Haloti Ngata while throwing a pass.

Chiefs fans had better watch what they wish for.

Quinn hasn't started a game since 2009. That season, he started 10 times for a Browns team that went 5-11.

As for Eagles fans . . . well . . . say what you want, but they've never cheered when one of their own players got hurt.

Bad timing

According to the New York Post, two Maryland state troopers - who were assigned security detail in the Yankees dugout during Sunday's playoff game in Baltimore - asked New York stars Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher for autographs.

Usually, there would be nothing wrong with that. Except, these bozos did it during the ninth inning of the game.

A source told the Post that Swisher was furious.

Jeter, when asked if it was the first time something like that had happened, replied: "What do you think?"

Contact Tom Mahon at mahont@phillynews.com