Bye, Bye , Boo

Sheesh, with all this hand wringing over playing the second team and the second guessers who are maintaining how important it is to sustain momentum and routine -- you would begin to think how unlucky the Eagles are to have secured a first round bye. Too bad we're not the Seahawks or Rams who played playoff-relevant games in week 17 and now get to play in the first round. Please.

The importance of rest and the bye cannot be overstated. The Eagles will be fresh while their opponent will have been slogging through a grueling playoff push.

Alas, knowing the state of the region's mental state, I'm sure the anxiety will be palpable on Sunday the 16th. Let's not panic. And let's remember that McNabb usually starts games so hopped up he doinks his first couple of passes into the ground or sails them over the head of his receivers. This is not an indication of too long a layoff, but a typical McNabb start.

Reid really was damned if he does, damned if didn't, as far as resting his starters. But given the Eagles' injury history, how could he not err on the side of caution? Especially after TO went down? I mean, who else got nervous when Simoneau had to have his ankle x-rayed? Or when Michael Lewis was laying on the field vs. the Bengals? Or when Ike Reese grabbed his knee? Would you have liked to see #5 or #36 in that position? I don't think so.

The Eagles will be fine. Everyone take a deep breath and relax. And remember that Andy Reid is practically unbeatable after a bye and McNabb is a perennial slow starter (and has nothing to do with a lengthy layoff.)