Jack Kerwin

He is must-see TV anymore.

A run, a pass, a rabbit pulled out of his helmet – you name it and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel can provide it these days, and provide it with style, some panache, some electricity that has proven so highlight-worthy than much of the nation’s college football fandom has stood up and taken notice of what’s going on with a two-loss team … and part of it even thinks the 15th-ranked Aggies (7-2, 4-2 SEC) can challenge top-ranked Alabama (9-0, 6-0) this Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The latter seems a bit far-fetched. But is it?

Think about it – who expected a freshman to take the reins in College Station, Texas, and not only carry Kevin Sumlin’s crew into the big, bad Southeastern Conference and earn some respect, but actually make a little noise? Put it this way, a week after the Tide knocked Mississippi State from the unbeaten ranks with a 38-7 runaway at home, Johnny Football and Co. took care of the Bulldogs, 38-13, in Starkville, Miss.

That’s a case of pick your poison as to which was more impressive … or damaging to MSU.

They emerged from the depths Tuesday morning, still boozy in disbelief at they had witnessed the night before. Salesmen, school teachers, truck drivers, dock workers, you name it, all of them struggling to sober up while rejoining their daily existence after experiencing that chilling reality to rival ice water being splashed in the face.

Their team, their escape from a hum-drum life, their outlet to fantasy and fun, to hopes and dreams that reside beyond 9-to-5, Monday-through-Friday, had imploded right before their eyes on national TV. Actually, the sight may have been worse, more like a vessel slowly, but surely sinking into the sea while all hands on deck stood there, sporting looks of daze and confusion, and made no attempts to save themselves.

Welcome to Philadelphia, home of the Eagles and arguably the NFL’s most dedicated and disappointed fans. Much of the aforementioned has become far too common around these parts the past few years as the squad seems to step further away from the promised land with each passing season, if not each passing week anymore, under head coach Andy Reid.

With apologies to the few card-carrying members of the Andy Reid Fan Club who remain and those of the thin-skinned ilk, we present the following open letter to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie:

Blow it up … now.

Tear it all down. Fire the head coach and his staff of yes-men minions. Dump the unproductive players. Dropkick the unproductive ones who actually have the gall to place blame on anyone else (hello, Jason Babin), including the fans or classic fall-guy Juan Castillo.

Just do it. All of it. As soon as possible.

This has been a long time coming. Ever since the Super Bowl appearance following the 2004 campaign, Philly’s NFL franchise has been an ever-changing potpourri of stop-gap solutions, using one overpaid, underperforming veteran as a Band-Aid to cover for another.

Your Eagles, really, have never been the same operation ever since losing to New England back on Feb. 6, 2005 in Jacksonville, with Donovan McNabb upchucking his lunch during crunchtime and Reid shutting down his brain with failing to implement a hurry-up attack early enough.

Some random thoughts, a few potshots and maybe even a requested shot for the future following a weekend of pro football (sans the Monday Night, um, nightmare) …

– Kudos to the Steelers for “gutting it out” Sunday, flying into the NYC area and then going out and beating the defending champion Giants, but next time, let’s chill out on the whining about the inconvenience of having to air it out in first class on a chartered plane on gameday.

– Team statline of the weeked: Pittsburgh outgained its host, 349 yards to 182, en route to earning a 35:15 to 24:45 advantage on time of possession. That spelled a 24-20 victory for our poor, tired and put-out professional athletes.

– Aaron Rodgers goes 14-for-30 … and the Packers win? Wonders never cease. Then again, the game’s top QB did throw four TDs and only one pic against sky-is-falling Arizona, too.

– Apparently, this Andrew Luck kid ain’t too bad for the Colts. Threw for 433 yards and two TDs in a win against Miami – whose own rookie QB (Ryan Tannehill) hasn’t been an anchor to his offense, either.

Some random thoughts, a few potshots and maybe even a called shot or two in the future following a weekend of college football …

– Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly ain’t the only guy who thinks his Irish ain’t all that and a nag of chips. But this isn’t the week to point out their flaws or good fortune. Yeah unranked and underachieving Pitt has ND on the ropes Saturday in South Bend, Ind. – on the scoreboard. In reality, the Irish dominated, outgaining the Panthers by better than 200 yards in a 29-26 overtime victory. In short, they deserved the outcome they got.

– Conversely, what in the world is Florida doing on offense? A couple weeks ago everyone went nuts when the Gators beat South Carolina by 33 – and got outgained in the process. Folks, no matter how you slice, that isn’t impressive. It’s winning on luck, circumstance … and, sometimes, when actually being beaten. Such was the case in their 14-7 decision against visiting Missouri on Saturday. Just chill a bit on the Gators’ greatness. There is none at this point.