And you thought all of those close, mounting Eagles losses were because of quarterback Donovan McNabb, the run-to-pass ratio, brutal penalties and turnovers.

No, the Eagles simply are trying too hard in those conflicts.

That's what Andy Reid sold at his Monday news conference. And while some people were buying, come on, it is Reid who is trying too hard with such an explanation.

OK, the Eagles don't appear to be in  a Terry Murray type of "choking situation" in close games. But if they're not comfortably ahead, you can write them off in the fourth quarter. They're 1-8-1 in their last 10 games decided by four or fewer point.

“I’ve seen guys battling,” Reid said. “Maybe it’s the other end, we’re trying too hard. I’ve seen maximum effort out there and it looked like the guys were pretty focused.”

Trying too hard? Now that's maximum effort.