Week 13 a Reflective One for Many Eagles

This weekend, when the Eagles take on the Atlanta Falcons, there will be quite a few members of the Philadelphia side with memorable moments to reflect upon. No, I’m not predicting a huge victory with a bunch of Birds having phenomenal performances that are worthy of remembrance. I am mentioning previous events that occurred in some of the Eagles’ careers that will be brought alive again when the two NFC teams clash in Week 13. In this end-of-the-week, brief, and enjoyable article, you will find a list of Eagles that have something to reflect upon that has to do with this week’s matchup with the Falcons, from Michael Vick’s reunion in Atlanta to Reggie Brown’s return to the place he played college ball: 

Player: Michael Vick (pictured), backup QB
Previous Event/Memory: As you should know, the Eagles’ backup Quarterback and situational runner began his professional football career with the Falcons. Drafted in 2001 as the first overall pick by Atlanta, the speedy passer out of Virginia Tech college went on to become one of the most athletic players in the team’s history. He made a trio of Pro-Bowl appearances as the Falcons’ franchise QB, and was known for having one of the league’s top-paying contracts. Of course, allegations and convictions of dogfighting brought Vick to prison and out of Atlanta’s organization, but his legacy is imprinted in the Falcons, and he is expected to receive nothing but cheers when he returns to his old home on Sunday. While he is not likely to be used in that large of a role–as he has been all year–there’s no doubt he will see the field for at least a few plays in front of the roaring Georgia crowd.

Player(s): Will Witherspoon, starting OLB
Previous Event/Memory: Witherspoon was never a member of the Falcons, but he–along with several other Eagles–was a former attendant at the University of Georgia, which is obviously the state of which the Falcons reside. While a member of the collegiate Bulldogs, Witherspoon racked up 211 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery, which are certainly respectable numbers. The Linebacker is excited to go back to where he played in his younger days. “There’s always something special there,” he commented today in a brief statement to the media. “You have a good crowd that’s always going to be there. You know, the Georgia folks remember. It’s kind of one of those things that never goes away.”

Player: Chris Clemons, backup DE
Previous Event/Memory: Similar to Witherspoon, Clemons is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and is also thrilled to make another stop at the place he remembers so fondly for college ball. “Honestly, I look more at [having fellow Georgia guys on the Eagles] as the homecoming,” Clemons said. “We still all have that conversation now like when we were back in school, so it’s still always fun to be around those guys and just to be able to be on a team when you have other guys that you went to school with.” “I look at it as a great thing to be able to go back home and be able to play in the state that I was raised in, but at the same time we still have to go out there and do what we have to do.”

Player: Reggie Brown, backup WR
Previous Event/Memory: Brown was a star player while a contributor to his college’s team–the University of Georgia Bulldogs. He was regarded highly while on campus, and eventually made his way to the Eagles via the 2005 NFL Draft. Although he hasn’t been a big factor for Philly’s offense as of late, Brown figures to play a larger role in his return to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. With starting receiver DeSean Jackson expected to miss the game with a concussion, Brown might be on the field an extended amount of time, and is also excited to return to the place where he grew up.

Player: Sean Jones, starting FS
Previous Event/Memory: The same story of Witherspoon, Clemons, and Brown can be told for Jones, as well. The Eagles’ defensive back, formerly of the Cleveland Browns, played his collegiate career at Georgia University, and is also looking forward to his reunion with the area. An education major, Jones was given an award indicating his great play within his conference, and notched 250 tackles, a sack, and 7 interceptions while in a Bulldog uniform. In a recent press conference with local Philadelphia media, the Safety said: “It’s funny when you think about it because nine years ago we [Witherspoon, Brown, Clemons] were all high-schoolers coming into the University of Georgia and you look down the road and now we’re all playing on the same professional team.

Player: Max Jean-Gilles, backup OG
Previous Event/Memory: Jean-Gilles is probably the least-known member of a former Georgia associate, but he was also part of the “University of Georgia clan” from the Eagles. As a Tackle and Guard in college, the 367-lb. lineman earned “All America” honors in 2005, and was selected by the Eagles in the 4th-round of the NFL Draft in the following year. Because he is frequently involved in a rotation at the Birds’ RG position, he is definitely due to get a large position in Sunday’s game, and is–just like the others–anxious and happy to go back to Georgia. “Any time you get to go back to the dome it’s a special feeling,” he said. “It feels like the SEC Championship all over again.”

Player: Jeremiah Trotter, backup MLB
Previous Event/Memory: No, Trotter is not a graduate of the University of Georgia. That’s what the last few listed players have been named for, but the Eagles’ Middle Linebacker recalls a different memory relating to Atlanta. Back in 2005, when the Birds traveled to the Georgia Dome to face the Falcons, Trotter was involved in a pre-game scuffle that resulted in an ejection. The LB was supposedly exchanging words with several Falcon players during routine warmups, and eventually the “Axe Man” and Atlanta CB Kevin Mathis began to shove each other. Punches ensued, and the officials then threw both players out of the game. Although Trotter remains an emotional and intense player, he doesn’t intend on missing this weekend’s matchup.

With the list completed, at least you now have someone else to talk about besides Michael Vick in terms of players making a big return to Georgia in Week 13.

(picture source)