Marty Agrees with Critics
It was hard to find a criticism of the Eagles' offensive performance marty Mornhinweg didn't agree with Thursday -- from lack of commitment to the running game to slow starts to the misuse of Correll Buckhalter.
Marty Agrees with Critics
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Eagles figures agreeing with their critics is something one does not often encounter in the NovaCare auditorium.
Oh, sure, we get "I've got to do a better job with that," from Andy Reid, a default assent so automatic and meaningless that it doesn't really count. Donovan McNabb never agrees with much of anything, on principle. You could organize a drinking game around how many times in a news conference the quarterback is going to begin a response with "not at all."
Q: "Donovan, will the forecast for chilly weather Sunday in Baltimore cause you to bundle up?"
A: "Not at all. For the second overtime, I might even play shirtless."
But with the Eagles' offense coming off one of its most unbalanced, frustrating performances in years last Sunday in Cincinnati, reporters encountered an unusually contrite and agreeable Marty Mornhinweg at the offensive coordinator's weekly news conference.
Mornhinweg agreed with nearly every criticism and suggestion that was offered, after lauding Baltimore's strong defense. "They wreak havoc," he noted.
"We've got to get better situationally," Mornhinweg said. "We do need to start faster, especially looking at the last several weeks here ... Lately, we've played some pretty good defenses.
"We can go through a lot of reasons (for problems) and those turn into excuses. We've got to play a little bit better, especially early in the game ... We've got to run the ball better early in the game, because that sort of sets the tone."
On third down conversions, which have been alarmingly bad lately, Monrhinweg said: "We're pretty good in third and 2-to-6, but we've been poor on third-and-1."
Was five carries in the first half enough to justify the extent to which the Eagles abandoned the run in Cincinnati (18 runs, 60 called passes)?
"No," Mornhinweg said. "You make a good point. You're right. It's not enough."
Mornhinweg was asked if it would make sense to play Correll Buckhalter more, with Brian Westbrook banged up.
"You're right," he said. "It does make sense."
Anytime, Marty. We'd be willing to call down to the sideline, say, miday through the first quarter, in case you find yourself forgetting the adivce. Happy to help.
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At least he is patronizing and sounds reasonable. This is all we want as fans and that is for the coaches to not talk down to us. Mohrninweig gave us more there than Reid has in 4 years.— davekrieg- I'm guessing Marty does believe all of this, but his hands are tied by the big man upstairs.— libertyof76
- Love the "Not at all" line. Love it. And the the habitual ease with which it's delivered is really very telling. It's so clear that there was a media training session that included a chapter on "Never actually agree with the question -- it can only hurt the ballclub." (It also means he's not really listening to the questions.)
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- god?— satan
- sounds like Marty is sick of of AR's play calling as well.. perhaps he's had enough...— osi is hurt boohoo
- Marty was saying what the reporters wanted to hear. He doesn't think anything different from Reid.— jakejake10
- Action speaks louder than words. Do it already!— palmyra21
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- I make better calls wearing pajamas and drinking beer on my couch than these overpaid shmucks do....The giants exposed just how unversatile this offence is. They blitzed three guys that were lined up in a trips formation on the left side and left Curtis 1 on 1 with a 5 yd cushion. It was 3 and 1 and again of 4 and 1. What does Morningweg and Reid call, two consecutive run plays to the right side without pro-bowler Shawn ( my back is emotionally hurt) Andrews playing. Any smart QB could have recoginized this especially on the second attempt and had curtis run a slant that would have gained at least 5 yds assuming McNabb doesn't target his feet. Speaking of the big kid, how does one get hurt if he never really played in a game? 10-1 says he is at a mental facility in Ca.— Zues
- Marty Morningsomething has no authority in the decision making here. And he won't be blamed. Maybe fired? But no one is under the illusion that what is happening to the Eagles is anyone else but Reid's fault. Get Jaws in here to fix the football operation. Give Reid another season as coach only. Get better assistants in the booth who know how to use the clock and know the rules. Reid can't manage everything and he is a notoriously poor game-day strategist. The Eagles are far off, but the calls are awful, the receiving is pitiful, LJ Smith is done, Curtis will be better, Reggie is today's FredEx, and the rook is a rook. He will be better too. No excuse for not reaching out for Gonzales and Williams. Reid's system is no system at all without players who can play in it. That's NOT D Mc's game.— trainrdt
- Thank God for someone who speaks openly and honestly, what a change from that patronizing sack of pork Reid.— RRT
- Good call, trainrdt, get Jaws in. That might actually work. Which is why it won't happen.
