Reid Between The Lines: It's Andy's Fault

Unlike so many of the die-hards out there I've never said it. From slow starts to poor play calling to sub-par performances in big games and even a terrible track record at the draft, I've never once even thought that Andy Reid should not be the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. I am saying it now. Andy Reid Head Coach and Executive VP of Football Operations of our Philadelphia Eagles needs to be served his walking papers. Please hear me out, all you 'Big-Red' faithful. This is not a knee-jerk reaction to an 0-2 start. I weighed all my opinions and all the facts about this team, and then 24 hours after the debacle that was Monday Night Football vs. division rival Washington, I came to my conclusion that this team needs a new front man.
I know what many are thinking, "0-2? That's not a big deal, we've done that before." Yes, we have done it before, but remember the circumstances surrounding the 2003 season were much different from the 2007 slow-starting Eagles. In 2003 the Eagles opened up the brand new Lincoln Financial Field on Monday Night Football in grand fashion, losing 17-0 to the previous season's Superbowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The next week the birds managed to get on the scoreboard, but were still embarrassed by the eventual Superbowl Champion New England Patriots, 31-0. Then came the early bye week, followed by a dramatic 23-13 victory in Buffalo, which featured the first of many late-game heroics by Brian Westbrook with a 62-yard touchdown run to finish off the Bills. Then a nail-biting victory over Washington followed by a "woulda, coulda, shoulda" loss to Dallas and the good guys record stood at 2-3. Then came "Miracle at the Meadowlands II" which featured a 14-10 victory in which Westbrook posted 233 total yards, none more important than his game-wining, 84-yard punt return for a score. that was the first of a 9-game winning streak, and 10 wins in the next 11 games (OT loss st the 49ers which also featured a return TD for Westbrook). Then came the playoffs and the 4th and 26 miracle against Green Bay followed by a stinging 14-3 loss to Carolina which featured McNabb being cheap-shooted while on the ground (no flag) and playing the majority of the game injured before eventually being pulled for Koy Detmer in the 4th quarter. Also absecent was Westbrook, who missed the entire playoffs after old friend Jeremiah Trotter injured him in the week 17 victory over Washington.
Fast forward to now. The Eagles start 0-2 again. But this is a different 0-2. Washington and Green Bay are not winning a Superbowl anytime in the near future. our QB is not 100%, and while there were grumblings of injury in '03 this is Donovan's leg. The leg injury directly effects his scrambeling, which he did a lot of in 2003 when his receivers were unable to get opened early in McNabb's progression. Now the receivers can't get open down the field which forces McNabb to check down to shorter, less effective routes (Westbrook and Smith for 4 yards on 3rd & 7 is not effective). "But Coach Reid can't MAKE his receivers get opened, what are you getting at?" While the Eagles' receivers are a problem, they are only a portion of this team's troubles. But since you asked, my point is Reid hand-picked each one of these receivers. Brown and Avant were 2nd & 4th round draft picks, respectively. Kevin Curtis signed as a big-ticket free agent this past off-season, and the Birds signed him to play a position he never has, outside receiver. His entire career until now he has been a slot receiver that featured Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt to his left and right and Steven Jackson coming out of the backfield, who is quite possibly a more dangerous receiver than Brian Westbrook. Reid traded Billy McMullen (another Reid-era draft bust) for rookie free-agent Hank Baskett shortly after last year's draft, and yes Greg Lewis is still on this team. 5 guys that Andy chose himself who simply are't getting the job done.
Furthermore, after McNabb went down last season the offense proved it was a running team. There are 5 behemoths on this offensive line that were made to run-block. Westbrook was averaging over 5 yards per carry last season, and on Monday averaged about 5.5 yards per carry. With all of these factors one would think there was plenty of reason for Coach Reid to realize our best chance of winning is on the ground. Ha! Simple facts aren't enough to deter our hard-headed, soft-bellied coach away from making our injured and aging quarterback drop back to pass over 45 times.
After this frustrating loss, the most frustrated of the Eagles seemed to be Brian Westbrook. He commented on how he doesn't call the plays but he would like to run more, no big deal, we've heard it before. The "news" that came out of this press conference was that Westbrook didn't feel the team played with enough emotion, that they lacked a sense of urgency. While this is a team of professionals, it is in part Reid's responsibility to nstill the "NEED TO WIN" attitude in his players. Or, at the very least, keep roster spots open for leaders, namely Jeremiah Trotter, this team's emotional leader and defensive captain. While it is true Trotter has lost a step, and his play alone does not warrant the $2.5 million he was slated to make this season, leadership is priceless. With veterans like McNabb and Dawkins playing below their normal level and battling lingering injuries, it is Trotter who would rally the troops and force someone, anyone, to take charge and put the team back on the road to victory. Sadly, Trotter was cut in training camp and is now dropping his axe for Jon Gruden's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This team needs a kick in the ass, and firing the coach, in my opinion, will open the eyes of veterans and rookies alike who share in this "we know what we're doing, don't worry about an 0-2 start" attitude. Reid's arrogance and stubbornness to refuse to run the ball, refuse to acknowledge the importance of leadership and chemistry, refusal to acknowledge Donovan McNabb is a different player than he was in 2003 is more than enough reason to send him packing. Add in his terrible drafts (1st rounders Corey Simon, Freddie Mitchell, Jerome McDougle; 2nd rounders: Barry Gardner, Todd Pinkston, Quinton Caver, Matt McCoy, and countless other first day busts), as well as his 1-4 record in Championship games (Superbowl & NFC title games) and the result is the termination of Andy Reid's employment status.
Don't take this the wrong way, Eagles & Reid fans. I do not hate Andy Reid. This has nothing to do with his boring press conferences or his family problems. This is about winning. Andy Reid was a great coach, but he has taken this team as far as he can, much the same as Dan Reeves was a great coach, but it took a change in the ranks before Elway and the Broncos could ever wear their championship rings. Andy Reid brought this town Donovan McNabb when everyone wanted Ricky Williams. Andy Reid brought this team to 4-straight Conference championship games and its first Superbowl appearance in two-and-a-half decades. But this is the end of the road. The NFC, particularly the East is better than it was. Dave Campo no longer coaches in this division. The surprise on-side kicks don't work anymore. Unless you have Brady-to-Moss or Manning-to-Harrison connections the key to winning is ball control, not chucking it up 45 times per game. The Reid-era has passed, and it was a fun, road with a lot of bumps and a lot of fun, it should now be left up to someone else to coach this team to its first Super Bowl Championship.