Bye, bye Donovan
April 4, 2010
After 11 seasons, Donovan McNabb’s roller-coaster ride ended with an Easter Sunday trade to (gulp) division rival, Washington. Eagles coach Andy Reid thanked McNabb for his service, calling him the “best quarterback in franchise history,” then named Kevin Kolb the new starter.
Vick-torious
Sept. 21, 2010
Kevin Kolb did start in Week 1. But, after struggling/suffering a concussion, the QB was stripped of starting duties. Backup Michael Vick nearly pulled off a second-half miracle in that one, then posted a 108.0 QB rating in a Week 2 win over Detroit. Two days later, Andy Reid named Vick the team’s starter.
Tecmo Bowl game
Nov. 15, 2010
Michael Vick became the first player in NFL history with at least 300 yards passing, 50 yards rushing, four passing TDs and two rushing TDs in a game, and the Eagles pummeled the Redskins, 59-28, on Monday Night Football. Vick, with six total scores, scored a record 49 fantasy points.
Happy Halladay
Oct. 6, 2010 (no-hitter)
Roy Halladay lived up to every expectation — and then some. His crowning moment? Take your pick. Halladay threw a perfect game May 29 (the 20th perfect game in MLB history), threw a complete game when the Phillies wrapped up their fourth straight NL East title and then became the first pitcher since 1956 to toss a no-hitter in the postseason by blanking the Reds in Game 1 of the NLDS.
For his efforts, the Phillies ace was the unanimous choice for the NL Cy Young award. There is still a banner draped on Citizens Bank Park honoring him.
Getting Flyer’d Up
May 14, 2010
This, no one expected. The Flyers, touted as preseason Stanley Cup favorites, barely qualified for the postseason, then dug themselves a 3-0 series hole to the Bruins. Somehow — some way — the team got it to a Game 7, in Boston, only to go down 3-0 in the first period. Coach Peter Laviolette called a timeout and the Flyers rallied for four straight goals to become only the fourth team in pro sports to come back from a 3-0 series deficit. Yes, they lost to Chicago in the Finals, but the journey of getting there was arguably the most remarkable story in Philly sports history.
Welcome home
Dec. 14, 2010
No one spurns the big money and bright lights of New York, right? Wrong. Cliff Lee did just that, taking $30 million less to return to the Phillies. Lee got a hero’s welcome in the city that never stopped loving him — and vice versa — as he inked a five-year, $120 million deal with the Phils.
Believe in miracles
Dec. 19, 2010
The New Miracle at the Meadowlands: The Eagles erased a 21-point, fourth-quarter deficit in less than eight minutes to shock the Giants, 38-31. Michael Vick orchestrated the comeback with his arm and feet, then DeSean Jackson sealed it with a 65-yard return. “My heart is a little weaker after this one,” said Andy Reid.
