Sixteen straight passes?
What was Andy Reid thinking?
Sixteen straight passes?
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
You may have heard that I generally don't think this play-calling business, this Andy Reid penchant for throwing the ball, is that big a deal. Truth is, I like a pass-first offense. I think it's more productive. When Reid talks about "situational running," I don't laugh like a lot of people. I get it. I agree with it.
All of that said, I still cannot figure out what the hell he and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg were thinking when they called 16 straight passing plays between the middle of the third quarter and the last drive of the Eagles' 10-3 loss.
I'm not like most people around here. I don't think that play calling was the main reason the Eagles lost. Up until the middle of the third quarter, they ran it a representative number of times -- 61 percent passes, 39 percent runs -- for a reasonable-but-unspectacular number of yards (12 carries, 44 yards). But then the play-calling went completely off the rails.
Sixteen straight passes, most of which were thrown when the Eagles were trailing by seven points. It was too early just to give up on it, especially when you consider how much trouble they were having executing in the passing game. Between the dropped balls and the off-target throws, why not run? I have no particular confidence that it was going to work, but you had to give it a try.
Why give up on it?
Was it just the seemingly-genetic itch to throw that Reid and Mornhinweg seemingly have? Maybe it is as simple as that, but I don't know.
Was it the series of long fields the Eagles were facing and the concern that they would never see the ball again? That would seem overstated, given how well the defense has been playing.
Was it a worry that the offense, executing so badly, could not conceivably sustain a long, multi-play, ball-control kind of drive, and that it needed a big play? Reid did not say that but, again, it seems over-thought if that was the reason.
I don't get it. And while I think that both of DeSean Jackson's dropped passes, as well as Asante Samuel's dropped interception -- all in the fourth quarter -- were all bigger reasons for the defeat, the play-calling is on the list. It has to be. Even if, most weeks, it is more symbol than substance, the play-calling against the Redskins could not help but make you wonder.
I can't think of a team that went on to win the Super Bowl that had a pass-run ratio anywhere near what the Eagles have been doing. They beat the Giants in the Meadowlands a few weeks ago, because they committed to the run. Look how the Giants beat the Panthers tonight in OT. That was impressive. Those were two good teams with great running attacks and a balanced offense.— TripleOption- Have to disagree, Rich...61 to 39 is not acceptable--especially after the successes of the last three weeks featuring the run. Play-action becomes useless, coverage becomes tighter and, most importantly, you're not putting the ball in the hands of your best player. Like you said, McNabb was off and the receivers were less-than-stellar--why would you abandon the run? Again? Inexplicable playcalling, horrendous time-management and mental lapses from veteran players (get out of bounds, L.J.!) all point to the head coach. The Eagles are too good to be this bad, and Reid has to be held responsible. Until he is, I fear we will be suffering like this for a long time to come.— LunchBox
- Come on Rich. With a guy like Brian Westbrook on the team you think that pass ratio is just fine? He IS the Eagles. Why are we still debating this? The results couldn't be any clearer. For a decade now. Cover the arena league if you like this losing.— jamesiri
- this picture says it all...marty has that deer in headlights look and andy is coming to him.....if ever there was a picture that captured more thatn was intended, this is it— pog
- Coach Reid has hamstrung himself the same way Coach Holmgren (Seattle) has: lack of depth at RB. Westbrook obviously didn't have his quick step yesterday but all RB's this time of year are dinged. I hate to join the chorus for Coach Reid to be replaced (this gets old in Philly), but it doesn't look like he gets it.— PittsburghPete
- I don't get it either but you're on the wrong track - leave all of Andy Reid's theory aside. Relying on a short passing offense, with only a (high risk - low percentage) deep ball as a change, becomes in practice one-dimensional and too easy target to a good defence. A balance between run and pass is less predictable and more potent. And of course there's the issue of having an offense that is capable of converting short yardage and having more options in the red zone. Everyone will say it - look at the Giants game, look how well Buck did when Westbrook was out. This team could run well and would have moved the ball against the Redskins if they had stayed with it.— GHem
- THERE BACK…… You guys that were sold on the new found professionalism that only lasted a few games, I told you so. What a mess they made and actually had sports reporters and analysts believing in them. Not me the Eagles are a mess as longs as Andy and McNabb keep their greedy hands involved with this team. Andy’s too lazy to put a game plan together more than a few times a year and Donavan is complacent and in denial. This team stinks as is and the owners need to wake up. How much more BS will they listen to from Andy.— epalmer
- no way rich. you were right before when you wrote play calling is not the issue. reid calls great games. he just needs to do a better job putting guys in position to make plays. give him some time on that. i heard that after 10 seasons coaches go into the season with kick returners and fullbacks.— jb99
- Averaging 3.66 yards per carry is more than respectable.You have to keep pounding the ball to break one. Also, by running the ball you are wearing down and demoralizing the defense. How did the Giants earn homefield advantage through the playoffs?? Not with a 61 - 39 run pass ratio!!!— nate
- I wondered what Jim Johnson will say about our "offensive" approach once he is freed from Reid. You have to wonder how much Johnson's defenses would have been if we had a ball controlled offense that limited our opponents to several less possessions each game by doing a better job at time of possession.— mellogman
- McNabb was off target? There's a first time for everything isn't there? LMFAO!....Reid overlooked the importance of running against a team that lost 3 straight games against the run? LMFAO again!....it is simply too painful and too maddening to watch...the Groundhog Day of football teams....I'm so glad I'm not a Philly sportswriter....I don't HAVE to watch this team, this regime any longer.....my life will be fuller, all the better for it. I'm going to do a better job of not putting myself in position to watch this team....how's that Andy? Joe? Jeff?— Mark1npt
- McNabb was off target? There's a first time for everything isn't there? LMFAO!....Reid overlooked the importance of running against a team that lost 3 straight games against the run? LMFAO again!....it is simply too painful and too maddening to watch...the Groundhog Day of football teams....I'm so glad I'm not a Philly sportswriter....I don't HAVE to watch this team, this regime any longer.....my life will be fuller, all the better for it. I'm going to do a better job of not putting myself in position to watch this team....how's that Andy? Joe? Jeff?— Mark1npt
- Not sure if it was Darrell Royal, Woody Hayes, or Duffy Daugherty who said it, but "Three things can happen when you pass, and two are bad."— rixxk
- blah blah blah...reid needs to go!!!— Sgasda4
- What would possess a coaching staff to continue forcing pass plays when 2 of 3 top receivers are out and the others are dropping everything that si actually on target to them? Jimmy Johnsons even recognized at half time that Buckhalter should be more involved in this game. I wonder if he would be willing to leave the broadcast booth next year... or Billick... at this point I'll even take Bradshaw!— birds4ever
