9-2 is nothing to boo about
“Boo…
“Boo…
“Boo!”
There, in case you never make it to a sports event in Philadelphia, you can claim you had PART of the experience, at least.
For whatever reason, Philly fans are the angriest mob this side of a soccer match in Buenos Aires.
Philly fans once booed Santa Claus, who was landing on the field via helicopter in December, all to dispense some Yuletide joy.
They also booed a group of little kids, sons and daughters of the Phillies players who were invited on the field for a pregame Easter egg hunt.
When the tykes couldn’t find the eggs fast enough…
The crowd booed.
The point here is that game-day patrons in Philadelphia don’t really need any legitimate excuse to boo — their own team, the other team, the officials, the cheerleaders…
No matter.
They can and will boo until their lungs are hoarse.
HOWEVER, if we’re going to treat those folks fairly who sat in the cold and bitter wind on Sunday, only to watch the Eagles look utterly helpless during that 17-9 loss to the Seahawks…
I’d say they had some reasons to boo.
The Eagles were missing several offensive starters — including almost all their most dangerous receivers — but fans aren’t offered a discount if the stars can’t make it, so…
Boo!
The real tipoff on how the locals were going to take it came the first time the Philly offensive took the field, and QB Carson Wentz was loudly booed.
Wentz presumably was guilty of not being Nick Foles, who won the Super Bowl for the Eagles less than two years ago.
Seattle defensive played well, especially considering the absence of Jadeveon Clowney.
We finally saw Ziggy Ansah storming in toward Wentz, which was a surprising treat.
Ziggy got a sack and a half, and forced a fumble.
To be fair to Wentz, the Hawks were after him all afternoon, but…
If you want to avoid the surly crowd in Philly, it’s probably best if you don’t throw two interceptions and lose a couple of fumbles.
Even folks watching from the comfort of their homes would be tempted to boo a performance like that.
And trust us, those fans howling for blood were not warm and comfy at home.
They had to watch under several layers of blankets.
IRONICALLY, this was not a classic game for Russell Wilson, either.
The Seahawks star threw a touchdown pass on a flea-flicker than went for 33 yards to Malik Turner, and basically just enjoyed the view as Rashaad Penny bolted 58 yards for the touchdown that sealed the game.
And the Eagles?
Nada.
As the non-stop booing could have told you, Wentz and his backup cast went pretty much nowhere all day — and scored their only touchdown in garbage time with the issue long since decided.
It was an ugly game on an ugly day.
Running back Chris Carson fumbled on back-to-back plays (though one might have been partially Wilson’s fault), and BOTH quarterbacks missed receivers who were wide open for touchdowns.
We’re not talking 60-yard heaves, either.
Wentz and Wilson both had TDs there for the taking with 15-yard flips, and each of them airmailed the ball about 10 feet too high.
Maybe it was that hideous Philadelphia wind.
Or a Delaware Triangle in a corner of the end zone.
Whatever, those awful throws fit the pattern of the day.
The good news, though, is that the Seahawks survived the elements, some injuries and — let’s face it — a trip to Philadelphia with no harm done in their chase for the playoffs.
All good.
You can’t boo a record of 9-2.
Not even in Philly.
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Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns for The Press appear on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Steve also contributes the “Zags Tracker” package on Gonzaga basketball each Tuesday.