"Worst coach" and other Eagles-49ers awards
The Inquirer’s look at some of the highs, lows, odds and ends from Sunday’s game:
"Worst coach" and other Eagles-49ers awards
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Inquirer’s look at some of the highs, lows, odds and ends from Sunday’s game:
Worst performance by a defensive player: Watching Nnamdi Asomugha play on Sunday was like watching Robert DeNiro in “Little Fockers.” Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Eagles cornerback missed tackles, bit on fakes and was completely lost at times in the Eagles zone. All that for $60 million? Maybe his act in Oakland wasn’t ever Oscar-worthy.
Worst coach: Andy Reid. Has there ever been a Reid-coached team this unprepared for a game? OK, the 1999 team was rotten. But no one expected that group to amount to much of anything. This team was [italic]supposed[/italic] to be a Super Bowl contender. At least that’s what the Eagles front office intimated after they slapped each other on the backs for a week after their free agent signing spree.
Best player of the game: If one has to go to an Eagle, Michael Vick earned honors with his career day. The Eagles quarterback passed for a career-high 416 yards and also ran for another 75 yards. He completed 30 of 46 passes and was picked off only once on a deep toss that DeSean Jackson should have pulled in.
Worst celebration: What was up with Eagles linebacker Moise Fokou’s crawl on the ground after he held a 49ers running back to two yards? Was it a modern rendition of “The Worm?” Guess a two-yard stop from this run defense is worthy of a ridiculous dance.
Worst rookie: There was a lot to choose from and, well, Danny Watkins deserves special notice for not dressing for the third game this season. But kicker Alex Henery missed two chip shot field goals. The first – a 39-yard try – was as far right as Rick Perry.
Best opposing player: Some of the credit has to go to the Eagles’ putrid run defense that couldn’t stop a 300-pound guard if given the carries. But Frank Gore showed some gumption with his 15-carry, 127-yard outing on Sunday. The 49ers running back was a game-time decision with a bum ankle and didn’t start, but he made the best of his less-than-normal number of touches.
Worst coaching decision: We’ll take Ronnie Brown’s word for it when he said he had a run-pass option on his third down second-quarter carry near the goal line. Brown’s bone-headed idea to throw the ball on the ground – thus fumbling – will not be excused. But No. 1: Why not just go back to LeSean McCoy when Brown has been a dud this season? And No. 2: Why get tricky down at the goal line when you can’t even run a successful dive inside the 2?
Best Eagles defender: Jason Babin’s three sacks and forced fumble give the Eagles defensive end this award without much of a fight. But how about Casey Matthews? He wasn’t blown up by one block the entire game. Oh, that’s right, he hardly played.
Worst good game by a receiver: Jackson might have caught six passes for 171 yards, but he dropped two bombs he should have pulled in. Special mention goes to Jeremy Maclin, who was run down by a 285-pound defensive end and fumbled the game away.
Worst of the worst: The Eagles. Did anyone expect this team – this “Dream Team” – to be 1-3 after four games? Sure, there were going to be some early bumps but, but instead of bumps the Eagles face a mountain-sized task if they want to get to the playoffs. This award should be called the “Stinky.”
Gruden or Cowher....— Boulder Steve- Fortunately, I didn't watch this game and I won't be watching any more this year. Fire Andy, Fire Andy, Fire Andy— tfernan303
- Rick Perry is not far right, he's an idiot waffler like most politicians. Why do you have to bring politics into an already miserable day? Dream Team was VY's opinion after signing. Other than Vick...the Eagles sucked! Nnamdi was bad because of zone coverage. He is a cover corner. If you don't use him right, he will not earn his money. Castillo needs to be demoted based on all 4 games. And don't blame the rookies. The coaches decided to go with them. They need time to learn, not pressure like this. Oh, sign or trade Jackson. If he admits to not playing all out, he needs to go or change his tune. I do agree Ronnie Brown will be in a blooper film. Go Phils!— paulie
- Whats Lurie waiting for? Make the executive decision and fire the stooges. Please cobble together an interim staff and lets try to win some games.— Smashmouth
- This team is looking dangerously like the 2005 Falcons. They had the same problems with linebackers who couldn't stay in their gaps, man coverage corners forced to play zone, problems with ball security, and untimely missed field goals. This team has more talent than that team did, but they are making the same mistakes, which ultimately trace back to poor coaching. The Castillo at DC idea was stupid when it happened and it looks even dumber now.
Another thing: if you are at the 1 inch line and you don't have enough confidence in your O line to block for your QB to sneak six inches, what makes you think they will block for your RB to run it in? When you are inside the 1, either you sneak or you spread the field and go shotgun. If you are scared that Vick will hurt himself on a sneak, then put in Vince Young for that play.— atlvickfan - Bet the 05 Falcons had a real DC
— frustrated1 - Time is up for Andy Reid.I never did think he was a complete coach after his glaring weakness at game management came to light to me during the Super Bowl appearance.He has had ample years to win it all but failed.Lurie just keeps him because he usually puts a competitive team on the field.That is not enough.Us Eagle fans are on our journey that the Vikings took under Bud Grant.Fan need to protest by not going to games until Ried is replaced.Has had his time,amplle time I might add.When in a highly demanding and stressful command position for to long breeds poor decisions.He has made poor decisions regarding,coaches,players,and game calls.BYE BYE Andy!!!!!— Andrew Grier
- I can't watch this blundering bunch of underachievers any more this season. After they get stomped by the Bills next week they will be DONE for the season, then Lurie will finally have to fire the fat boy and we can hopefully get a quality coach like Bill Cowher in here.— vicpat
- If by some miracle we malke it to the playoffs Andy and Juan will still have gigs.....I wonder how long before we se dissention n the locker room....
— joeyrofrano - Asomugha has been the biggest waste of money. Where's Sean McDermott is he working in the NFL? Can we lure Trotter out of retirement while we're at it? I think Reid should step down and Juan Castillo should be named interim Head Coach, we couldn't do any worse and post-game wrap ups would be more entertaining.— Bill Foley
- you're an Idiot, Bill. Don't ya know the reason Nnamdi isn't playin that well is cuz he doesn't play well in a zone defense, only man. And Juan would make a TERRIBLE Head coach--he can't even coach the defense. Yes Mcdermott is with the Panthers but he's not the best. — ericllewis
- Why cant andy ever run the ball the old fashioned way, its always some trick play mis direction pass option BS...I know the line isnt great but ronnie brown is a hard nosed north south runner and McCoy hits the hole fast and makes guys miss, but no andy has to be tricky all the time and LOSE— Mr. Green Nugget
Reid must go. But Castillo first.— bigcityballer- Italics fail— kjuggs77
- Awww, I could have got a Falcon!— crawkert
- Banner was right! The eagles ARE like the Red Sox.— 14dannyboy
- No lie. I had a dream last night that I was looking at an article with the headline, "With Reid Gone Eagles Have Decisions to Make". In the article was three names and their home phone #'s: Gruden, Cowher and I can't remember the third name.— Mabus
- Mr. Tamari, Rick Perry is not far to the right, he is a career politician, is not necessarily a conservative at all, and is unlikely to receive the Republican nomination. And you should stick to what you know, if anything.— DHowardisdaman
- The big problem is Andy.How is it possible to coach a single team for so many years and never learn how to coach better? He continues to be out coached by less experienced coaches in big games.This is the same guy that got schooled by Jim Zorn for crying out loud.Andy should be fired because the Eagles will NEVER win a championship while he is running the show.That is most obvious to Eagles fans.— mackdad
- Did the Eagles lose? I couldn't tell.— Seegs
- Jon Gruden should be the Eagles new coach!!! Bill Cowher is not an option!! He took longer than Reid to finally win a SB!!!!!!— mizzamillions
- Ah, "worse coach award!" Born and bred Philadelphian, now living elsewhere but after 11 years, it is so heartening to hear the real Philly Attitude come out again. Reminds me of those heady days of previous owners and coaches: Leonard Tose and Joe Kuharic, Richie Kotite, Buddy Ryan in his first couple of seasons, Dick Vermeil in his initial trial by fire.
The love-fest was getting to be too much! Hopefully, it remains this way until December as I haven't seen Santa pelted with snowballs since I was at the game at Franklin Field in 1969!— FraninTampa - this whole thing seems surreal. Like a recurring nightmare. The Eagles were gashing the Giants with the run and when they get in the red zone they stop using him?? This week he gets 8 carries?? Reid has always said the linebackers are not an important piece of the defense. Never heard any other coach say that. Sorry Juan, you're a good man but you're not getting it done. This is just stupid.
— drenner - why doesn't vick ever roll out on an option play at the goalline?— djack10
