Eagles' decline? What decline?
Andy Reid says he does not see a decline since the Eagles' Super Bowl season. Their 24-24 record since says otherwise.
Eagles' decline? What decline?
Josh Barnett
Is it negativity, or simply reality?
During an interview with Andy Reid the other day, WIP's Angelo Cataldi asked, "Can you not understand the negativity is from 48 years without a championship and a decline from the Super Bowl year of 2004?"
"I'm not seeing the decline," Reid responded ... before deftly asserting that Cataldi was just trying to be negative. Reid's contention: Negativity sells and Cataldi is seeking to garner revenue for himself and the station. He then urged Cataldi to "change his tune" because of the new partnership that will return Eagles games to WIP, and chastised Cataldi for never attending practice.
Reid refuses to acknowledge the obvious despite the evidence to the contrary; that is, the Eagles, obviously, have declined. If Reid believes that there is no decline, perhaps Eagles fans should be concerned. After all, he controls personnel decisions at NovaCare Way. Reid only will concede, "We've come up short a couple of times here and we need to get back."
How "coming up short" is not a decline from a Super Bowl appearance is unclear. What is clear is that ignoring the decline comes across as another reason why Reid cannot seem to connect with a fan base that has such high hopes -- a fan base that, simply, wants to hear that he feels what they feel.
That Reid also says, "This is about wining football games," provides the only real measuring stick. The Eagles' record is the absolute truth.
Since the Super Bowl year, the Eagles are 24-24 (6-10, 10-6, 8-8). They have won one division title and earned the accompanying playoff berth, but also finished last in the division twice. That record ties them for 14th in the NFL over that 3-year span, well behind both the Cowboys and Giants, and with the same record as Washington.
NFL COMPOSITE RECORDS, 2005-07
1. Indianapolis: 39-9
2. New England: 38-10
3. San Diego: 34-14
4. Seattle: 32-16
5. Dallas: 31-17
Chicago: 31-17
Jacksonville: 31-17
8. NY Giants: 29-19
Denver: 29-19
Pittsburgh: 29-19
11. Carolina: 26-22
Cincinnati: 26-22
13. Green Bay: 25-23
14. EAGLES: 24-24
Washington: 24-24
Baltimore: 24-24
Tampa Bay: 24-24
18. Minnesota: 23-25
Kansas City: 23-25
20. Tennessee: 22-26
21. Cleveland: 20-28
New Orleans: 20-28
23. Atlanta: 19-29
Buffalo: 19-29
25. Arizona: 18-30
NY Jets: 18-30
27. St. Louis: 17-21
28. Miami: 16-32
Houston: 16-32
San Francisco: 16-32
31. Detroit: 15-33
32. Oakland: 10-38
Money talks
Two former Eagles are having contract issues with their new teams ... They seemed to have contract issues here, as we recall it.
Terrell Owens is going into the final year of a 3-year, $25 million contract and says he wants to remain in Dallas. "There was a situation where the contract didn't work out in Philly," he tells the Dallas Morning News. Gee, you think? He says he is not going to let that happen again.
In Tampa Bay, Jeff Garcia is going into the second year of a 2-year deal and says he is frustrated by the slow progress toward an extension. "It's at a snail's pace it seems right now," he tells the Pewter Report.
Elsewhere
* ESPN has posted its offseason NFL rankings and the Eagles are No. 13. The comment reads: "Last season, they hit their stride when it was too late. With a fully healed Donovan McNabb and an improved secondary, the Eagles could be dangerous."
* Betting Web site Docsports.com had the Eagles at 45-1 to win the Super Bowl, the 19th choice on the board. "Philly was another injured underachiever last year and could bounce back." New England is the top choice at 5-2 followed by Dallas at 6-1. In case you are wondering, you can get 20-1 in Vegas on the Phillies winning the World Series.
* Former Cal and current Eagles receiver/returner DeSean Jackson will grace the cover of NCAA Football 09 for PlayStation 2, EA Sports announced recently. The game is available July 15.
What does Cataldi know anyway. What's he know about 48 years without a championship? Was he here in 1960? ...1970? The only good thing about the Eagles being on 610 is that there's three more hours a week they can't fill with talk radio.— MudinyourEye- I was there when Cataldi and his pack of winners showed up at the draft. I was shocked they could even spell out R-I-C-K-E-Y.— montymiller
- I was there when Cataldi and his pack of winners showed up at the draft. I was shocked they could even spell out R-I-C-K-E-Y.— montymiller
- I was there when Cataldi and his pack of winners showed up at the draft. I was shocked they could even spell out R-I-C-K-E-Y. Cataldi is clueless. I am glad reid put him in his place. Cataldi sucks balls. Mike and Mike and 950 as a whole will own the sportstalk radio market in philly soon if they don't already.— montymiller
- I don't miss WIP 610 - the ONLY time I listen is when there's a basketball game on. The sex thing is totally lame as is I've-never-had-a-bad-day-in-my-life Howard Eskin and the losers that call up to harass him. I was enjoying Jody Mac, as a thinking man's sportscaster, but now ESPN moved him to the morning when I won't have the opportunity to listen to him. Personally I think Jody has more actual sports knowledge than the entire WIP staff combined. And as for Angelo - the next time I hear about some woman who works at a Gentlemen's Club and that wolf whistle - thank god there won't be a next time. How's that for some negativity, WIP? Wake up before there's a mass defection of listenership.— jbarts
- Why the arbitrary 2005-2007 seasons? Because they'll support your inane argument, Angelo I wish you'd stop pulling our collective legs and go back to writing another pieces like that bit of integrity abouton retired players.— robinlupe
- Look people, this isn't about Cataldi, it's about Reid. Angelo was discussing the 05-07 seasons beacuse those are the only 3 seasons that have been played since the Super Bowl in 04. What is so arbirary or inane about THE FACTS? We have had exactly ONE winning season out of the last three. We have finished LAST in our division TWICE. FACTS. Does that sound like a team on the UPSWING? Wake up people. If you're not on the way up, then where are you going? The fact is we are not a basement team, no way. We have a good team with decent personell. We just need some execution. Let's start with the head coach.— FrankieDaFace
Comment removed.
At the beginning of last season, what was the consensus for where the Giants would finish? Did anyone consider that bunch of mooks even a contender to make the playoffs? There's two ways to do it -- build a program that can consistently dominate, or build a team that can get hot at the end of the season and make a run. Dominant teams like Indy or New England have gotten lucky (or are talented at)getting great players in rounds 4 - 6 of the draft. Signing big $ free agents hasn't put anybody over the top. The Eagles took their shot in 2004, it didn't work, and now they're going to try to play in the category of team that plays to stay healthy and get hot at the end of the year. It's not implausible. Right now, they are a better team that the Giants were at this time last year.— Mr. Smith- Cataldi IS NO IDIOT. Football is a bottom line business and the last 2 years the bottom line stinks. Angelo is saying WIN AND DO WHAT IT TAKES. If thats a dope then WE ARE ALL DOPES.— SJ
- The accounting of the 2005-2007 Eagles win-loss record reflects two specific factors: injuries to key skilled offensive and defensive personnel with lack of experienced, skilled quality depth AND ineffective execution of either offense, defense, or special teams' personnel during the course of close competitive games. It appears that the addition of coach Mark Whipple (Cowher recommendation), the re-signing of (healthy) LJ Smith and Joselio Hansen, the non-resigning and release of Spikes, Kearse, Mahe, James, Tapeh and Von Olhoffen, the free agent acquisitions (Samuel, Clemmons, Boiman, Klecko, and Wilson), the draft selections (Laws, Jackson, Smith, Demps, et al), and the improved health and the continued maturity of the 2007 Eagles hopefully will address all of the team's intricate issues to produce 2008 playoff caliber football. We will all know after game 16 at Dallas.— spreadeagle
- Always a bridesmaid never a bride. But thats Andy Reid's football— boppa2
- I have to give Reed credit for not wallowing in despair like Caltaldi and many so-called Eagles fans. The birds did not have their #1 quarterback much of the last few years. I do think that if McNabb gets hurt this year, it will be his last as an Eagle. Then you'll see a real decline.— chollie
The Gold Standard is that the team is always just an excuse away from winnng it all. The sad fact is Andy's not the best talent evaluator and never will be - he didn't even know his kids were on hard core drugs. Why? Because he only sees what he wants to see. Though I don't think he came here with an ego, his quick success has feeded his so that now he no longer has to really listen to anyone. As for Angelo, he knows less about sports than the average 4 year old. He is an entertainer, and not really a good one at that.- the decline is obvious to anyone. this team is one westbrook injury away from disaster. they've lost talent, or talent has aged, and they haven't restocked especially on the offensive side of the ball. the trade down (with dallas btw) to get kevin kolb is a move that really killed this team - especially a team desperate for playmakers -- oh wait, i forgot, LJ is back this year. my bad, everything will be fine. in general, i like reid. i just wish he'd tell the truth and address actual needs in the offseason.— snakeplissken
