A letter to wide receivers coach Greg Lewis (that he may never read)
Wide Receivers coach Greg Lewis doesn’t seem to be doing a great job so far, but this should offer encouragement.
The Philadelphia Eagles trailed the New England Patriots in the waning moments of the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXXIX. Quarterback Donovan McNabb found Greg Lewis in the back of the end zone to narrow the margin to three points. Joe Buck, who had the call announced “The Eagles aren’t dead yet”.
That play sticks out to most Eagles fans when we remember Greg Lewis as a player. Almost twelve years later, he now roams the sidelines as the Eagles wide receivers coach. Things don’t appear to be going well so far.
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It doesn’t help when you look at what Jim Schwartz is doing with the defense or what Duce Staley is doing with the running backs. We’re not even going to bring up what Dave Fipp has done with the special teams unit. That wouldn’t even be fair. This wide receiver’s unit is full of players who are rich in talent but seem to be lacking in preparation, work ethic and concentration.
With that, we’ve written a letter to Coach Lewis (that he may never read):
Dear Coach Lewis:
What in the world is going on? Do you remember what it was like when Terrell Owens got hurt and the news was all about how the Eagles’ receivers were going to have to step up during the playoffs if this team had any shot of getting to the Super Bowl?
What did you guys do? You did it! You, Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell. You guys owned the Minnesota Vikings and did just enough to help this team get past the Atlanta Falcons and into Super Bowl XXXIX. We know all people talk about is what Owens did in his return, but had it not been for you guys, that never would have happened.
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Now Coach Lewis, I want you to look around your meeting room. There’s Josh Huff, Rueben Randle, Chris Givens, Jordan Matthews, Paul Turner and now Dorial Green-Beckham. No offense sir, but that’s a whole lot better than what we had in 2004.
I know you know more about what you’re doing than any of us do, but we can see what’s happening. These guys are heavy on potential and talent, and now, as fans, we want this unit to make good on some of it. We’ve heard about trips they’ve gone on together to build camaraderie. We know they’re tired of hearing about how they need to step up and can’t catch, but if that’s the case sir, then why aren’t we seeing any improvement?
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Randle just doesn’t seem to be focused or aware he was signed for one year and given up on by his old team. To make matters worse, they didn’t even fear him or respect him enough to trade him out of the division. That says it all.
Coach Lewis, we as fans are starting to think Chris Givens is a one trick pony. Matthews is good but needs work. We hope that Green-Beckham can be a little light at the end of the tunnel, but there’s a chance he may not work out either. Sir, Josh Huff just can’t play. We know you can see it. We all can.
That brings me to Paul Turner. We have no idea where he came from, but he may give us some hope. He doesn’t have the name, but he’s actually doing what we were told all of the other guys were supposed to do. He runs routes well, and he makes circus catches. He plays his behind off, and he just seems like he wants to be here. May we suggest investing in him?
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We know your job is tough, but stay positive Coach Lewis. You’ve got a great coaching staff to lean on. Believe in yourself. We, as Eagles fans, are some of the most loyal in the NFL. If you work hard and give us your best, we’ll support you through thick and thin. We need you. Your wide receivers need you, and you have a young quarterback we’re dying to see on the field that will need your guys as well. They can’t keep putting the ball on the ground.
You’re an Eagle in every sense of the word sir! Remember that!
Sincerely,
Frustrated Eagles fan