The only way to get the bad taste of a loss out of your system is by going out and winning the next game.  We all know what the record is and what the expectations were coming into this year, so there's no point talking about that here.  I'm looking forward, not behind.  For all the talk about how bad they want to win, from the coaches and the players, let's see how they do this week against the Redskins, who are coming off a bye week.  The Redskins do have a running game and they are no longer handicapped by the atrocious play of McNabb and the malcontent that was Haynesworth, they have looked decent this year and are leading the division at 3-1.  You better believe that they remember the beating of a lifetime that we put on them last year and you can be sure that this game means something extra special for them. 

Having said all that, I think we have a chance in this one.  What am I basing that on, other then my own wishful thinking ?   Well, as bad as we looked last week against the Bills, I thought we turned things around a little bit both on offense and defense during the latter part of the game.  Tell me that you weren't thinking back to the Giants comeback from last year when the Eagles started scoring in a fury.  I got excited for a little bit only to be let down by another collapse at the end.  But the point is, the players didn't quit on the coaches, they were fighting and almost came back by the time it was over. 

But let's get one thing clear, I'm not saying that they're going to be this amazing defense shutting down the Redskins run game and are going to be able to bring down running backs and wide receivers in the open field.  I'm not saying that, for that you need better personnel.  But what I am saying is that they have finally come to the realization that no matter how the ugly the win is, they have to win.  I think earlier in the season they were trying to get everything just right and when things fell apart, so did their resolve.  But after going 1-4, I can sense the desperation in this team, they haven't given up, they are fighting for themselves and their coaches.  That tells you something about the character of this team and the character of it's coach. 

For whatever shortcoming Andy Reid can be blamed for, losing the team is not one of them.  He rarely (Akers after the playoff loss last year is  the only one that comes to mind) throws his players and coaches under the bus, and that has to count for something.  He takes the hits, but he never calls his players out in public.  I don't like a lot of things about how Andy Reid runs this team, but I do admire this one quality.  The team will play hard for him and fight for this guy because of his loyalty.  He is almost loyal to a fault, and therefore we have the mishaps that are Sean McDermott and Juan Castillo.  But when it comes to the players rallying around the coach, that same loyalty can bring everyone together.  And that's what I see happening with this team as well.  They will come together as a team, and start winning.  We had 6 total losses last year, and we have 4 so far, so mathematically we are still in the running, and if this team starts believing in themselves and getting their shit together, then they definitely have the overall talent to keep up in this league.  If all that happens or not is the big question, and remains to be seen.  But that's what makes it exciting.  Our first test comes in Washington this weekend, I'm definitely ready and looking forward to that game, are you ?