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Time to cut the cord on Andy
Maybe after 10 years of teams that were good, but not great, it is time for the Eagles to cut their losses with Head Coach Andy Reid.
If you look back through my previous columns, I have been a big supporter of Reid based on his record, our division titles, and the incompetent leaders who came before him, but I think his time in Philadelphia should be coming to a close.
Heading into this season, things were looking good for the Birds as Donovan McNabb was now two years removed from knee surgery, Brian Westbrook was happy with his new contract extension, DeSean Jackson was looking like a draft-day steal, and the defense had playmakers at every position. Needless to say, I had pretty high hopes for the Eagles.
Everything was lining up for great season, except Andy Reid. He has become a complete hindrance to a team that, based on talent alone, should be in the upper echelon of the NFL. We saw it during the losses to the Redskins and the Bears, but the final straw was the 36-31 loss to the New York Giants.
I sat dumbfounded as I watched Reid make bad decision after bad decision against the Giants, and I’m not even talking about his two pointless challenges.
Out of the gate, Reid showed some nice creativity as Jackson scored a rushing touchdown out of the “Wildcat” formation. But, just like in prior weeks, Reid’s play-calling became more conservative, and by the end of the game, it was downright predictable.
I have said this before, but if I can tell you what play the Eagles are about to run on offense, then the defensive coordinator, who spent an entire week studying film about the Eagles, definitely knows what play is about to be run.
Just so you know I’m not joking, when you see McNabb under center and Westbrook behind him to the right, you know it is going to be an inside run, because they haven’t run the halfback wheel (where Westbrook starts in the backfield, runs toward the sideline and then goes deep) in more than a year. If you see that formation on Sunday against the Bengals, bet the person next to you that you know what play is coming.
The play-calling got so conservative that it took 52 minutes for the Eagles to take a shot downfield, which was caught by Jackson for a 32-yard gain. The Eagles receivers are speed guys, not slow route-runners, so throw the deep ball! If your receivers are just running 10-yard routes, no one can get open because the corners, linebackers and safeties are able to surround them. Plus, their defense wouldn’t have been able to stack the line of scrimmage, which allowed them to hold Westbrook to just 2 yards-per-carry.
Speaking of Brian Westbrook, how is it possible that he had only eight touches during the second half of the biggest game of the season, and only three catches all game? Wouldn’t you assume that getting him a little more involved in the passing game would have opened things up for the rest of our offense?
If that wasn’t bad enough, the defense decided that they would prefer to let Eli Manning have plenty of time in the pocket instead of blitzing him and forcing him to make bad decisions. The Eagles’ defense is built for blitzing, and Manning, like most quarterbacks, is better standing upright compared to when he is picking turf out of his helmet.
As a result, New York’s offensive line was never back on its heels, and they pushed around our defense, which surrendered 219 rushing yards to the Giants’ version of the three-headed monster.
Now, this doesn’t mean that the Eagles can’t rebound from this loss, win five of their next seven games, and make the playoffs, but does it really matter? The Eagles had a chance to pull within one game of the Giants in the division, while placing a firm grasp on a playoff spot, but the coaches didn’t show up with a gameplan to top the defending Super Bowl champions. In the key moments of the big games, this coaching staff just doesn’t put its players in the right position to win.
Don’t get me wrong, Reid has definitely built a good foundation, but I think it will take a new coach and a new scheme to get this team over the hump. That type of thing happens all the time in sports. Urban Meyer led the Florida Gators to the BCS National Championship in 2007 while using Ron Zook’s players, and Jon Gruden led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory using Tony Dungy’s players. Why can’t that happen here?
I really believe that we have the players to get to the top of the mountain, but as long as Andy Reid is coaching the Eagles, “almost there” will be all we can expect, and with each failure, this city will bleed a little less green.
***
Like the “On the Edge” Blog? Hear more of my opinions about Philadelphia sports every Friday at 3:30 p.m. on WBCB 1490 AM during the Coffee with Kahuna show, where, this week, we will talk more about the Eagles’ uninspired loss to the Giants, and focus on where this team is heading.
If you look back through my previous columns, I have been a big supporter of Reid based on his record, our division titles, and the incompetent leaders who came before him, but I think his time in Philadelphia should be coming to a close.
Heading into this season, things were looking good for the Birds as Donovan McNabb was now two years removed from knee surgery, Brian Westbrook was happy with his new contract extension, DeSean Jackson was looking like a draft-day steal, and the defense had playmakers at every position. Needless to say, I had pretty high hopes for the Eagles.
Everything was lining up for great season, except Andy Reid. He has become a complete hindrance to a team that, based on talent alone, should be in the upper echelon of the NFL. We saw it during the losses to the Redskins and the Bears, but the final straw was the 36-31 loss to the New York Giants.
I sat dumbfounded as I watched Reid make bad decision after bad decision against the Giants, and I’m not even talking about his two pointless challenges.
Out of the gate, Reid showed some nice creativity as Jackson scored a rushing touchdown out of the “Wildcat” formation. But, just like in prior weeks, Reid’s play-calling became more conservative, and by the end of the game, it was downright predictable.
I have said this before, but if I can tell you what play the Eagles are about to run on offense, then the defensive coordinator, who spent an entire week studying film about the Eagles, definitely knows what play is about to be run.
Just so you know I’m not joking, when you see McNabb under center and Westbrook behind him to the right, you know it is going to be an inside run, because they haven’t run the halfback wheel (where Westbrook starts in the backfield, runs toward the sideline and then goes deep) in more than a year. If you see that formation on Sunday against the Bengals, bet the person next to you that you know what play is coming.
The play-calling got so conservative that it took 52 minutes for the Eagles to take a shot downfield, which was caught by Jackson for a 32-yard gain. The Eagles receivers are speed guys, not slow route-runners, so throw the deep ball! If your receivers are just running 10-yard routes, no one can get open because the corners, linebackers and safeties are able to surround them. Plus, their defense wouldn’t have been able to stack the line of scrimmage, which allowed them to hold Westbrook to just 2 yards-per-carry.
Speaking of Brian Westbrook, how is it possible that he had only eight touches during the second half of the biggest game of the season, and only three catches all game? Wouldn’t you assume that getting him a little more involved in the passing game would have opened things up for the rest of our offense?
If that wasn’t bad enough, the defense decided that they would prefer to let Eli Manning have plenty of time in the pocket instead of blitzing him and forcing him to make bad decisions. The Eagles’ defense is built for blitzing, and Manning, like most quarterbacks, is better standing upright compared to when he is picking turf out of his helmet.
As a result, New York’s offensive line was never back on its heels, and they pushed around our defense, which surrendered 219 rushing yards to the Giants’ version of the three-headed monster.
Now, this doesn’t mean that the Eagles can’t rebound from this loss, win five of their next seven games, and make the playoffs, but does it really matter? The Eagles had a chance to pull within one game of the Giants in the division, while placing a firm grasp on a playoff spot, but the coaches didn’t show up with a gameplan to top the defending Super Bowl champions. In the key moments of the big games, this coaching staff just doesn’t put its players in the right position to win.
Don’t get me wrong, Reid has definitely built a good foundation, but I think it will take a new coach and a new scheme to get this team over the hump. That type of thing happens all the time in sports. Urban Meyer led the Florida Gators to the BCS National Championship in 2007 while using Ron Zook’s players, and Jon Gruden led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory using Tony Dungy’s players. Why can’t that happen here?
I really believe that we have the players to get to the top of the mountain, but as long as Andy Reid is coaching the Eagles, “almost there” will be all we can expect, and with each failure, this city will bleed a little less green.
***
Like the “On the Edge” Blog? Hear more of my opinions about Philadelphia sports every Friday at 3:30 p.m. on WBCB 1490 AM during the Coffee with Kahuna show, where, this week, we will talk more about the Eagles’ uninspired loss to the Giants, and focus on where this team is heading.
posted by Matthew Fleishman, Yardley News Editor at
11:49 AM
10 Comments:
I have been thinking about this all week, and I don't think the problem falls squarely on Andy. Based solely off numbers no one can discredit Andy or Donovan for being some of the best on paper. However I think the problem is a disconnect between the two. Andy has shown he can architect some pretty good plays, Donovan has shown that, during the season, he can usually get the job done. That's where I think the problem is. Donovan will never be the super accurate passer who can thread the needle from thirty yards. The plays that Andy likes to create almost always require that, and when he calls them they either end up with an interception, or a ball in the dirt, or in the stands. So I think Andy is getting tired of hearing the same questions about McNabb, of the play calling that he has be beaten into submission, and into completely conservative play calling. I know the kid is a couple seasons from being NFL ready but I can't help but wonder the crazy plays Andy would call if he were under center and he knew he wouldn't have to field questions about accuracy. Again the uber-hating on McNabb is ridiculous the guy is a good QB, and I bet if he had a Lovey Smith type coach if he'd be wearing a ring.
The Eagles didn't lose on Sunday night because of their coach. They lost because of the huge disparity in talent.
Donovan McNabb will never get a ring. Never, ever, ever. My god, he almost puked again last weekend.
To the comments above:
We are indeed World BLEEPING Champions! And you are right, Donovan is not an accurate passer, but Reid makes play calls that require precision. Why are we running so many timing routes when McNabb is at his best on the move or leading a receiver. I feel that McNabb needs to publicly say that he wants more control of the offense and see how that goes.
Honestly, I think one of them needs to go, and personally I'd take a new coach and scheme with a Pro Bowl QB over Andy Reid and a young untested QB.
To Anonymous: The Giants won by 5 points and the Eagles had the ball with 3 minutes left and could have won the game on that drive, so I'm not sure where the large disparity in talent is. However, if you are correct that they are much more talented than the Eagles, then the Giants need to learn how to play their best every Sunday, and not play down to the level of their competition.
Let's see -- a Super Bowl MVP at quarterback, 2 RBs who will rush for 1,000 yards. They haven't missed a beat despite losing BOTH defensive ends who started last year's Super Bowl. No, but the disparity isn't great.
As for the game, you must have missed the part where the Giants held the ball for close to 40 minutes and made Brian Westbrook look mediocre. If the Giants had lost, it would have been a case of them beating themselves.
Please don't give me advice on my football team. We've won three Super Bowls and will be in the big game for a fifth time this season.
The two of you can now go back to making out and reciting that wonderful speech Chase Utley gave in front of thousands of children.
Wait a second here, so this kid Fleishman puts his neck out stating his OPINIONS about sports and you take them as gospel. How sad is your life? How sad is it the super bowl champs cant even beat our "talently challenged" team by more then 5 points? How sad is it that one of our running backs, is better then your tower of power, or what ever the stupid name they have given themselves is. Regardless of the fact that the Eagles are full of pro-bowlers, and have over the last few years been a better team overall then the Giants, you cling to that one good season. I am betting its that same mentality that has you going to Mets games over and over again, or do you, like the Mets, move on to the next season sometime in September and just not focus on October? Sad and pathetic, oh and in Philly we know what our kids can and cannot handle, Chase was poking fun at Mets fans for getting all upset that he told them to f off at the all star game.
Pathetic rants of someone whose ego needs rubbing, sad go back to rubbing your jock since you've never been laid.
Oh and you can't even give yourself a name.
ONE GOOD SEASON? What planet are you on, pal? They will make their FIFTH Super Bowl (not NFC title game, which is what you clowns are used to) appearance this season.
For the record, Brandon Jacobs has already had more big games in the playoffs than all of your Eagles put together, so stop it.
Fleishman's putting his neck out? Dude, the last I checked, I am the ONLY one who ever leaves a comment on this blog. Gimme a break.
Chase's comments had nothing to do with the Mets. First of all, the game was at Yankee Stadium and every ticket had been gobbled up by their fans long ago. It was Chase being on a three-day drinking bender. He's white trash just like the rest of you.
So because your the only one who comments your the only one who reads it?? Typical BS logic, and if you could actually read what I wrote I said over the last couple years I didn't blow it out to the last 15+ years to include your last Superbowl appearance. Pre-2007 the Giants and the 'skins were the laughing stock of the NFC East. Brandon Jacobs? Are you kidding me? Are we talking about the same Brandon Jacobs who wasn't even their lead rusher in the playoffs last year averaging less then 50 yards per playoff game and less the 3 yards per carry? Or the Brandon Jacobs who had a grand total of 8 yards against the Eagles two years ago who beat them with Garcia? Oh yeah so Yankees fans just boo Chase? Makes about as much sense as your rants, so I guess you have two windows open on your comp screen, this blog, and your nasty grandmom porn.
Here's a tip: hanging yourself is better then using a gun or pills, it does less damage to vital organs and then someone can use your donated organs and actually let them go on to someone who is doing something with their life, instead of sitting in front of some bad porn and this blog.
You are the dumbest person alive, hands down. Congratulations.
Brandon Jacobs was part of a planned rushing attack last postseason to wear down defenses. It worked, you idiot. This season, he's averaging close to 100 yards and a touchdown PER game. And in case you missed Sunday night's game, he embarrassed your team, averaging close to 6 yards per carry. Real good time to rip him!
So the Giants have only been good this year and last? Really? Last I checked, the Giants HAVE NOT missed the playoffs since Eli Manning became their full-time starting quarterback. Nice work, though. If anyone's the laughingstock in the NFC East, it's Dallas, which hasn't won a playoff game in a decade. But you wouldn't know that, because like everyone else in your city, you have an inferiority complex with New York.
I love how you think it's embarrassing that the Giants lost to Jeff Garcia. Jeff Garcia is not a bad quarterback. In fact, some of you idiots down there wanted him to remain the QB even after McNabb was ready to play again. Schmuck.
I wouldn't know anything about guns or pills. I'll leave that to Andy Reid's sons.
Not to moderate this philosophical debate, but I'm calling shenanigans on Anonymous...
You can't say that Brandon Jacobs "has already had more big games in the playoffs than all of your Eagles put together" and then try to justify his mediocre numbers by saying he's part of a "planned rushing attack" ...It did indeed work last year, but if you're going to post on this blog, bring your A game, and that includes stats to back up your claims. Just for the record, Brian Westbrook has topped 100 yards rushing in 3 playoff games, and 100 total yards (rushing and receiving) in all 5 of his playoff games since becoming a starter (which means not including the two 2002 games in which he was a backup).
You're right, I'm sorry. I won't post anymore.
Now you have 0 readers.
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