Now that I have your attention ...

The Phillies would never admit to cheering on the failures of their next-door neighbors, but somewhere in the front office, an executive is smiling.

Eagles nation bid farewell to the 2005 season last night, among other things. After a 42-0 rout at the hands of the Seahawks, the most lopsided in the history of Monday Night Football and one of the worst in franchise history, all signs point toward the crumbling of Camelot.

The good news is next season will bring a fresh start, less drama and a healthy return for quarterback Donovan McNabb. The bad news is there are too many holes to assume a Super Bowl return, let alone a playoff return. In the time it takes to revamp the Xs and Os this summer at Lehigh, a new class of talented teams, including Seattle, will have emerged younger, hungrier and better. Self-motivation, effort and the desire to win will be critical.

But don’t count on it. Even the best teams don’t stay on top for long.

How does this effect the Phillies, a justifiable second-fiddle to a team that played in the Super Bown just 10 months ago? To start, it's less of a distraction. How much more attention can possibly be paid to a season that is now being regarded as a bump in the road? How much more can be written or discussed on sports radio?

How much more before it all goes out of style?

The Phillies should view this opportunity as chance to rocket back into the spotlight, even if it takes opening their wallet a little wider. The hiring of an experienced GM like Pat Gillick has sparked new interest, and I would even go so far as to say "confidence." An even bigger splash would occur if they deal for a stud pitcher, which is what the team needs most. As reports have indicated, don’t be surprised if it becomes a reality, though time is running out. Nothing puts people in the seats like winning.

Based on this new Eagles development, the Phillies can start their own chapter in December, impossible to do the last few seasons. They already have a solid foundation worth seeing. Players like Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley finished red-hot. They’re young, they’re hungry. They’re just plain exciting.

Wouldn’t it be something to hear a “Phillies” chant instead of an “Eagles” chant in Citizen’s Bank Park this summer, or will fans turn their backs and walk away, just like thousands did last night at halftime?

Either way, your hometown nine is closer to the prize than the team in green, by virtue of their 0-0 record.

Comments

[theragtopguy]

Remember that giant dogbone that got passed around way back in the 60s or 70s? It would've come in handy at the Eagles game last night for sure.

It's strange to actually hear Phillies being discussed at work this time of year.

Did anyone see that the Cubs asked Gillick what would it take to get Abreu and he said Mark Prior? I'd go for that deal.

[That Dude]

The Eagles depress me, badly.

[tcm1138]

Perhaps this will bring a welcome respite from the "E-A-G-L-E-S" chants at CBP in the middle of a baseball game. Does anyone know of a way to stop the wave?

[Tom Durso]

Get out of my head, Jason! I had actually considered writing a piece about the opportunity presented to the Phillies now that the Eagles are in the tank. Nice job with this.

[enrico]

The E-A-G-L-E-S cheer will never be stopped, but the wave could be killed rather easily i think. When I had my 17 game plan at CBP there always used to be this annoying, 20-something female rocking her Burrell Jersey who would run down the aisle to start the wave in the outfield. Someone sitting on the aisle, with a well timed leg cramp adjustment, could end her wave starting rather quickly.

[gr]

this will always be a football town mroe than a baseball town, i'm afraid, the game seems to suit the mentality of the populace much better. of course, in a city starved for a winner, winning can help alot of things. But realistically, one trip to the playoffs is not going to make people forget the eagles went to four straight NFC championships and a super bowl the past four years. the phils have so much ground to make up, its daunting to think about.

[Tom Goodman]

Jason: If nothing else this piece underscores what a true fan you are. In the midst of an Eagles debacle you see reason for optimisim for the Phils. If only they knew what people like you meant to them. That is part of their problem: they don't!!!!!

A fine piece.

[Tom G]

I don't think it is that daunting, all the need to do is win the World Series this year.

Oh. Wait...

[J. Weitzel]

Thanks guys.

A point I forgot to talk about is importance of a good April, May, June, before training camp opens. The Phils have a number of players coming back who ended the season playing brilliant baseball, including J-Roll and Howard. And for all his detractors, I feel Charlie Manuel is the right kind of manager to carry that looseness over to next season.

Off the field, Gillick has done his part in creating some urgency. The best move occurred when he stated that no one is untouchable. To me, that's better motivation than what Ed Wade tried to force-feed, which was "this is the group to get us there, come hell or high water."

Keeping it positive. Remember, the playoffs were just two Tim Worrell blown saves away, which happened the second and third games of the season.

[That Dude]

There's a reason this is a football town....football is better.

[ae]

boooooo

[Deanna]

Let me tell you that after watching a horrendously bad Seattle baseball team and a pretty damn good Philly baseball team this year, and a mediocre Seattle football team and an astoundingly good Philly football team last year, it was just really bizarre to see the Seahawks stomp the Eagles. There must be some sort of karma between my hometowns at work here.