Jan. 26, 2026
In the annals of stupid Philadelphia sports opinions, the current one about prospective offensive coordinators not wanting to take the Eagles job because some hooligans egged Kevin Patullo’s house last Halloween is truly the dumbest I have ever heard.
Just imagine a conversation between a guy offered the OC job here and his wife.
“Honey, I’m getting to work with the most talented offense in the NFL. Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert , Lane Johnson and (maybe) A.J. Brown.”
“Oh, wow. How much will they be paying you.”
“More than I’ve ever earned before.”
“Great! Let’s do it!”
“There’s just one thing. A few months ago, some fans threw eggs at the offensive coordinator’s house.”
“They did what!. . . . Eggs? . . . . No way we’re going there!”
Just when you think it’s impossible for the Philadelphia media to get softer, they find a way.
I got an email last week that captured this moment in time for the Eagles better than anything I have been able to express myself. Basically, William (no last name) wondered why a brain trust of GM Howie Roseman and owner Jeff Lurie would adopt a philosophy that constantly shortchanges their roster.
It’s so disappointing that our A+ general manager/owner thinks they can work only with D- and below head coaches under their ‘puppet’ model. . . . .I guess one can dream that someday that Roseman and Lurie will come to their senses.
Watch carefully as this OC search unfolds. I guarantee it will be laughably extensive, filled with marathon interview sessions and countless obscure candidates, leading to the coach least likely to push back.
Lurie and Roseman have a favorite word: Yes.
Say it often enough and you have a job.
Keep saying it, and you get to keep your job.
Just ask Nick Sirianni.
Sean Payton got exactly what he deserved in the end.
Don’t you love when justice happens in sports?
I have never liked the smug coach of the Denver Broncos, in a career that has included previous stops with the Giants, the Cowboys, the Saints and now the Broncos. He exudes an air of superiority that only a few others (Jim Harbaugh, Pete Carroll, Bill Belichick) share.
Well, Payton blew the season on Sunday in a 10-7 loss to New England with a decision supported by analytics, but not by logic. He went for it on fourth and one from the New England 14-yard line with 9:28 to go in the second quarter.
At the time, the Broncos were already ahead, 7-0, in weather conditions that were about to deteriorate rapidly. With a rusty QB (Jarrett Stidham) who hadn’t taken a snap all season, Payton should have realized that every point was precious.
The ensuing play-call, a bootleg by Stidham, got snuffed, and a later turnover by the same shaky QB led to a 7-7 tie at the half. At worst, Denver should have led, 10-7.
Apparently, Payton didn’t do his homework when it came to the weather, because the conditions became almost unplayable in the second half, with gusty winds swirling heavy snow across the field.
The Patriots managed to squeak through a field goal in the third quarter, and that was enough to clinch a spot in the Super Bowl.
After the game, Payton tried to explain the fatal decision, but even he knew it made no sense.
“There’s always regrets,” he said.
Hey, maybe now Payton will show a little modesty the next time he speaks.
I wouldn’t bet on it, though.
Ray Didinger told me months ago that the best team in the NFC was the Rams. Because Ray is the most knowledgeable football writer in the world, I believed him.
In the end, though, the far-too-generous LA defense was unworthy of Ray’s endorsement. In a 31-27 loss to Seattle, the Rams gave up 396 yards to Sam Darnold.
Yeah, I know. He’s not the awful Sam Darnold who played for the Jets. But he is still Sam Darnold. There’s no way any team should ever give up that much to a mediocre-at-best QB and an ordinary offense.
Based on this season, I would have to agree that Matthew Stafford is the best quarterback in the NFL, now clearly ahead of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and, yes, Jalen Hurts. Stafford was not the reason the Rams lost. The defense was.
Now Darnold has to face a much better defense in the Super Bowl. The Patriots are going to harass him. NE coach Mike Vrabel is having a spectacular season – one of the best for a coach in NFL history.
I hope he wins the Super Bowl.
Dave Dombrowski may not be having the best off-season, but the Phillies GM still ranks among the best at polishing turds.
Last week, after Bo Bichette was snatched from his clutches by the evil Mets, Dombrowski decreed that he was “content” to bring the whole gang back together for another run at the Dodgers in 2026.
No, he’s not. He wouldn’t have pursued Bichette so aggressively if he actually felt that way. It’s also why the Phils were talking about about acquiring outfielder Cody Bellinger, third baseman Isaac Paredes and/or infielder Murakami Munetaka.
All of that chatter, leading to nothing new, is not the definition of content.
Meanwhile, the GM knocked over a few fences along the way that will require some fixing. Catcher J.T. Realmuto knows he was the concession prize after the Bichette snub. Alec Bohm knows he is not the first choice to return to third base this season. And then there’s Bryce Harper, still licking his wounds over being called “not elite” by his boss last fall.
If you’re looking for a funny story during spring training, enjoy all of the articles about Harper being more motivated than ever to prove his GM wrong.
Not elite?
Bryce will show you!
Isn’t it nice to know that the pursuit of a championship – something Harper has not achieved in his 14-year career – is not sufficient motivation in itself, nor is the $330 million he is being paid by the Phillies.
The irony is, Harper knows better than anyone that he was indeed not elite last season. He is a student of the game. Batting .261 with 27 homers and 72 RBIs is elite only in the minds of the pantywaists who cover the team.
Oh, yeah. Dombrowski is also bringing back Rob Thomson to manage another team into an early demise.
Dave Dombrowski is having a terrible off-season.
In the end, this turd is not going to look any different after a new coat of polish by Dave Dombrowski.
This just in. Hell has frozen over. Pigs do fly. Jonathan Gannon has a new job in the NFL.
The awful ex-Eagles defensive coordinator and even worse Arizona head coach is the new DC in Green Bay. Despite his underhanded exit from Philly and his implosion with the Cardinals, somebody still thinks he can coach.
How much fun will it be next season watching the Packers find out he can’t?