Just a few days ago we published a piece claiming that Chip Kelly had lost the locker room. Since then the house Chip built seems to have crumbled as the latest in controversial player quotes has arisen.
https://twitter.com/JoshPaunil/status/669240504534622209
This time it’s Right Tackle Lane Johnson. The Offensive Lineman told Philly Mag’s Josh Paunil “If we get down by any significant amount of points or we don’t make first downs we’re going to get booed, that’s just how it is” before going on to say “It’s not really home-field advantage playing here anymore. Really, that’s the truth. Cats here, they really don’t care”.
https://twitter.com/JoshPaunil/status/669228697669513218
This was probably the worst time to share such an opinion. In the past few days we’ve had anonymous players calling out the effort of their teammates..and now the team are calling out the fans? Bad move, very bad move. Whether Lane Johnson is simply calling after more support from the fans or insulting their lack of it is unknown, but the quote doesn’t hold him in good stead at all.
In his defense, he should have the right to criticise fans who leave the game in the third quarter. By the start of the Fourth, the Linc looked like the scene of a pre-season game..it must be tough for him and the rest of the players to watch fans leave the stadium in the third quarter. The frustration is clear an you can understand where he’s coming from.
I noted in the article regarding Chip losing the locker room that the Linc seemed quieter than usual and by the 4th Quarter it looked like the scene of a pre-season game. But can you blame the fans? Not all of them. If you’re going to call out a fanbase as passionate as that of the Eagles…be prepared for some backlash…
UPDATE: Johnson tweeted this quote about an hour later, apologising for his outburst.
UPDATE: Lane Johnson has apologised for "out of line comments" and addressed the fact that the team need to EARN the support
— Philly Sports Network (@PhiladelphiaSN) November 24, 2015
#EaglesNation pic.twitter.com/sG0DkS0eGW
— Lane Johnson (@LaneJohnson65) November 24, 2015
