The “gold standard” down there at Nova Care Nation just might be turning into molten steel these days.

It’s not exactly a secret that the Eagles consider themselves the story in Philadelphia sports, and they’re not especially interested in sharing the limelight, or the Back Page.

They keep fairly close tabs on those pesky folks in pinstripes who play in their very own swanky new stadium across the street. You might say the Phillies – and the attention they have been demanding by winning a World Series and returning to the Fall Classic this year – gets under their skin.

So imagine what Jeff Lurie, Joe Banner and the boys must be doing this week.

All the Eagles did this week was bury the hated New York Giants in a spectacular Sunday night prime time affair, in the process boosting their record to 9-4 to assume sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

And what is everyone talking about this week? The Phillies. Roy Halladay. And Cliff Lee.

It’s enough to make the Eagles brass green with envy.

Clearly this calls for a bombshell announcement. Maybe they could announce they were starting Michael Vick at quarterback against the 49ers Sunday?

No, that won’t work.

How about this. Bring Cliff Lee in for the ceremonial pregame coin toss.
Allow him to offer one final salute to the Philly fans. And maybe permanently burn that bridge across the street in the process.