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Zak, good call.
By THE Azriel
THE Mod/THE Janitor/THE...uhh...The!
These Opponent Fan Interviews are always fun to do. But this one...is special. It's one thing to get a Redskins fan () to do one of these, but an EAGLES fan? Who woulda thunk? LOL Anyway...THE Azriel is pleased to present to you a man who speaks his mind...a THE Azriel kinda person...from our F2FA Eagles rival site, The 700 Level...REALSFANSDOBOO!
THE Az: HOWDY RealFansDoBoo?! Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this. Ready to boo Santa Claus?...uhh...I mean, talk some Eagles football?
RealFansDoBoo: Wow. Originality gets a '10' here....really.
THE Az: Thanks...Describe your role/membership level at The Level. How long have you been there? What led you there?
RealFansDoBoo: It is the best site on the internet for both Eagles talk, analysis and sometimes scoop and attracts for the most part, a particular type of fan. Those that would be a better fit elsewhere usually end up there.
THE Az: How did you become an Eagles fan?
RealFansDoBoo: This sounds so lame, but there's no interesting story here-just born into it. My dad (like the majority of fans I know) had seats at Franklin Field and the Vet, and started taking me to the Vet when I was 4.
Philly people rarely leave, and that goes for the teams too. Sad that such loyalty isn't better rewarded, but whatever.
Philly's very provincial, so, unlike say, Charlotte or San Diego, you aren't goin to have a heap of fans who moved here for business or whatever adopting their "new" home team.
In fact, that's frickin stupid. "New Home Teams". You see that with the half ass Skins fans- whomever is faring better, they chose to switch and many Skins fans I or friends know, who live in the beltway- own both Burgundy and Purple jerseys. Pathetic.
THE Az: Who're your favorite present and/or past Eagles players...and why?
RealFansDoBoo: Past: Jessie Small. Helluva LB. Really, just ask Zendajas.
Seriously, I don't know- geez, they're all dead. Jerome, Reggie, Andre Waters. Cryin out loud, if I'm Seth Joyner, I'm hopin like Hell that "RealFansDoBoo" doesn't have my old jersey in a box somewhere.
Present: As I've aged, and with the free agency and all, I essentially root for the laundry. Today's Westbrook, after a hold out or he hits the magic age of 30, could be wearin the Dallas Star on his helmet and then he's dead to us.
THE Az: What's most important to you in a message board?
RealFansDoBoo: Intelligent discussion laced with dripping sarcasm and an edge. NOT emoticons, edit features, polls etc. (nothing personal).
THE Az: Nothing personal taken. LOL
THE Az: What attributes does 700level possess that makes it special for you?
RealFansDoBoo: See above. And that the guys who run it are some of the best guys around- freely donating their time and talents to the site's look/feel/content etc.
Basically, they're keepin the bar open for us for free, after hours.
THE Az: DCFU is a recent addition to the Fan 2 Fan Alliance. What does the F2FA mean to 700level and what does it bring to the table?...and do "the masses" at 700 Level care about it or even know what it is?
RealFansDoBoo: I'd never heard of it / you before, and this is the 1st exposure to it I've had.
THE Az: I'm sure the F2FA will now give its marketing department a raise. LOL
THE Az: Is there ANYONE at 700level that's even half as cool as I am? (Sure as heck not here at DCFU, but then again...Who on Earth COULD be? LOL)
RealFansDoBoo: Is this a leading question getting to admit to man crushes? (There is actually 1 female regular). They're all fine- all sites have an asshole or two who need some polish, lessons in race relations, or need something to actually ADD to the site except repeatedly unfunny diatribes, but for the most part everyone's got something to add and has their talents.
THE Az: What's your favorite Eagles memory?
RealFansDoBoo: Hasn't happened yet.
Runners up are: The NFC Championship Game in 80. I was there, it was amazing and doomed me to this life as a prisoner to a loveable loser.
NFC Championship game in 04. The sheer noise in the place was amazing and the air had a 100%-proof wreak to it- but in a 'fun' way.
THE Az: The Eagles, after losing McNabb to injury, have surprised a lot of people. What's your prognosis for their chances to make the playoffs and if they do...How far can they go?
RealFansDoBoo: They're the hot team right now. Even if I weren't a Birds fan, I'd stay away from bettin against em for now, may bet on em. I'm not saying they are equipped to win it all, as they've got some things to fix on D, long term. But they've added a lot of youth to the roster in the past 2 drafts, so perhaps in a year they're going to be better equipped to contend.
This run is fun, and in a lot of ways, more fun than when you expect to go to the NFCCG each season, so I'm not taking anything away from this team right now. Just enjoying this for now. Christmas evening will be fun. And the fact the entire NFC is wildly unpredictable and essentially sucks.
THE Az: What's your take on T.O.?...Glad he's out of Philly? Wish you still had him? Glad the Cowboys have him? Think he'll eventually destroy the Cowboys? Is he as loony as a toon? A talented Anal Orifice? What?...Talk to me...
RealFansDoBoo: A talented boob who I think may honestly be having a tough time coming to grip with a buried homosexuality. And this isn't a joke. There were guys on The Level who felt that way when he was wearing the Green and everyone on the team was happy.
He's an ass, and I honestly think it's even money that he'll act up again this weekend (the 1st taste of Owens' pouting for Mr. Tony Romo).
THE Az: Well...I'm not a T.O. fan either. But, he's a talented player and is contributing, with potential to help us be a force in the "tournament".
THE Az: The Cowboys switched starting QBs, with tremendous success. The Eagles were forced to make a change due to injury. What is your take on McNabb's future and do if Garcia leads the team deep into the playoffs, will there be a QB controversy next season?
RealFansDoBoo: I was waiting for this one.
There will never be a QB controversy in Philly so long as McNabb is breathing and Reid is fat. Get it? They're practically married, their careers are hitched to each other's. Garcia is filling in admirably, and some would say he's even running the offense BETTER. However, the facts are that for all the inaccurrate passes, smiles after interceptions, horribly timed jokes in the media and perpetual unfunniness- McNabb's the man here.
Garcia is goin to be a Free Agent next yr, and 37. McNabb is coddled, and pampered to an extent for sure, and many speculated that Garcia (not Feely) got the nod for the very reason that McNabb's ego couldn't handle it if A.J. came in and won the town over with a run like this. But it hasn't been said til now because I'm hoping that everyone reading this realizes that McNabb's the better QB too.
THE Az: The Eagles have been "close but no cigar" in winning it all much of the last several years. Has the shortfall been coaching? Give us your candid assessment Andy Reid.
RealFansDoBoo: Reid is a pompous, stubborn lummox who can be condescending and charming at the same time. He had a plan when he arrived, and the lynch pin was selecting McNabb, when every Tony, Vito and Rocco wanted Ricky Williams. While that was a good thing- it just gave this guy the track record in his mind to NEVER 2nd guess himself or listen to criticism. He's always that guy who knows more than you.
The GM side of his career, not so good (last 4 seasons). I'd say he is clearly an above average coach- the best in team history (shortest midget in the circus syndrome, I realize).
THE Az: Eagles fans have been (rightly or wrongly) characterized (especially by us Cowboys fans ) in a general negative light. Is this fair? Is it totally off-base and underserved? Do Eagles fan give a flying snowball what others think of them?
RealFansDoBoo: There's a small percentage that thrive on the 'toughest unemployed, down on his luck tough guy in the bar' reputation. It's a small percentage, likely on par with the amount of NFL Fans that think Dhani Jones belongs in the league as a starting OLB.
The rest realize the rep's waaaay overblown, and don't really give a flyin F. There's a HUGE upside though- The Vet and Linc NEVER are overrun with the types of crowds of opposing teams that others encounter when hosting Philly. Eagles fans travel WELL and are generally left alone for fear of fisticuffs or lice.
THE Az: Let's play a game. I'll count Cowboys Super Bowl trophies and you do likewise for the Eagles. Whoever finishes counting last, wins. Jusssssst Kidding. Moving right along here...
Assess the Eagles strengths and weaknesses.
RealFansDoBoo: I'm holding up 1 finger, no ring, can ya guess which one there pal? I know that was a joke on your end, but do you ever know how LAME that sounds? No sour grapes here man, just listen to a Skins fan tell it to another team's fan, then suddenly you're goin to agree. They sound like tools.
Strengths: An offensive line that is huge, and hugely talented and for the most part, made up of young starters or young guys ready to assume the starting jobs.
The entire offense really- skill position wise they're set. Re-signing Stallworth shouldn't be too tough if he is happy here (check) and realistic about how much a team can expect to have his services on Sunday- and being fine with being paid accordingly. All is good though, cause his agent's a really nice guy with a great reputation in the Birds front office. Some Rosenhaus guy.
Weaknesses: Jerome MacDoNuttin shoulda stayed shot. Seriously though- The small Defensive Lineman philosophy doesn't seem to gel with what the newly aquired DL coach's scheme is (man up, rather than play the gaps and quickly penetrate). Health of the DE's- Kearse, say no more, and Darren Howard is runnin on fumes. Trent Cole's a VERY good DE, but would be better if he wasnt bein used as an every down DE.
THE Az: WOW! An Eagles fan holding a finger up. What a surprise.
THE Az: In your opinion...Who is the one Cowboys player (if you believe there is one) that the Bucs MUST stop/contain for the Eagles to have a chance to win?...and why?
RealFansDoBoo: Terry Glenn. He'll keep drives alive, IMO, more than either of the two backs will. The Birds D needs to get off the field.
THE Az: In your opinion...Who is the one Eagles player (if you believe there is only one) that the Cowboys MUST stop/contain for the favored Cowboys to have a chance to ensure a win?...and why?
RealFansDoBoo: Westbrook. And good luck with that.
THE Az: What's your prediction for the winning team and score for this Eagles-Cowboys game?
RealFansDoBoo: I cannot do this until Thursday for a Sunday game, or Friday for a Monday game. If someone over on The Level does it sooner, with few exceptions- some people get heavy handed with the harsh words. We eat our young.
THE Az: We've noticed.
THE Az: Well...That's a wrap, RealFansDoBoo. Again...THANKS and PROPS to you for doing this and to 700level for their support. Before we go, is there anything else you want to add?
RealFansDoBoo: Yeah...
Only 30 people (drunks plied with booze by a radio station) booed the McNabb pick (note: NOT McNabb, but they're still idiots).
NOBODY booed Irvin when he got hurt here- I was there. At 1st there was applause, cos in a tough sport when 1 of the enemy's best players is hurt, it helps your team - but when he didn't get up, it went silent---- til that JACKASS Deion came out and began doing a prayer dance or whatever around Irvin's body, and he layed hands on him or something. Yeah, I booed that ass hat. When Irvin was carted off- STANDING OVATION.
The snowballs at Santa thing- bottom line, it was a snowstorm, the real Santa bailed, the team found a young guy (drunk) and put him in a Santa outfit that didnt fit, he was carrying an equiptment sack, and stumbling around- in a year when this was perceived by the fans as just another cheap-o move by the ownership group, they couldn't even get a real santa. Oh, and that's funny as hell. What, are any of you guys related to Santa? Only way I can think that it wouldn't be funny.
They boo EFFORT here more than not. If a player's psyche is too fragile to withstand some criticism for taking plays off, or less than an all out effort, they don't belong here and chances are, they won't stay. Waaaah.
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