The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets have had very different preseasons. Eagles fans like myself are more at ease with how things have gone for us, with a perfect record and with Nick Foles emerging as the second option behind Michael Vick. Jets fans, on the other hand, are living through yet another nightmare through this touchdown-free month. But as Philadelphia and New York meet on Aug. 30, they both likely can't wait for this preseason to finally end.
The Jets just want to put this entire month behind them, although the added spotlight on them will make it harder. The Mark Sanchez/Tim Tebow duel was supposed to win headlines and light a fire under both of them to put New York back on top. But since they have been equally incapable of scoring touchdowns, the only headlines the Jets are getting aren't very flattering.
The hope is that when the games count, Sanchez will remember how to score and win while Tebow will be fully unleashed in specialty plays - if nothing else. If none of that happens, then August will look like a cake walk by comparison for the Jets. Yet at this moment, it's hard to see things getting any worse.
While New York wants to get the regular season started and erase this awful month, Philadelphia is eager to get going for different reasons. The Eagles have had a lot more to brag about during exhibition play, yet almost none of it has come from a fully healthy first team. With Vick injured so often, the Eagles have barely seen what he and his regular offense can do together this year, so they want to fast forward to opening day to finally find out.
There is a lot of mystery surrounding this Eagles team and whether it can return to contention, or kill the Andy Reid era for good. With all this anxiety, Philadelphia just wants to speed ahead and find out the answers already. As such, it will be a relief when Sept. 9 arrives and we finally see what these Eagles are truly made of - although it may not be such a relief if they're not made of much.
Since it still looks like they could be made of something, the Eagles and their fans remain anxious to get things going and end the warm-up round of the season. The Jets and their fans are eager to end this month for far different reasons - but both teams have their eyes locked on September and beyond, nonetheless. Therefore, their final exhibition clash cannot end fast enough for either of them.
Robert Dougherty is a life-long Philadelphia resident who has followed the Eagles since he was eight years old.
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