DANGEROUS DECLARATIONS
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
DANGEROUS DECLARATIONS
Bob Brookover
It's over.
The Eagles' chances of making the playoffs.
Donovan McNabb's career in Philadelphia.
Andy Reid's ability to call plays, win games, etc.
It's all over.
That's what you're going to hear this week in quadrophonic stereo.
All the people who know everything are going to tell you it's over. Time for a new coach, time for a new quarterback, time to move on.
And they might all be right. Any and all reason for hope seemingly vanished Sunday in Cincinnati.
The Bengals played exactly the way you'd expect a 1-8 team to play and the Eagles played exactly like the Bengals.
Why should anyone believe in a football team, a coach or a quarterback that couldn't beat a team that did everything it could to lose?
Before you pull the plug, however, there is one thing to remember: Sometimes weird stuff happens in professional sports.
In their 11th game a year ago, the New York Giants lost 41-17 at home to the 4-6 Minnesota Vikings, falling to 7-4. Quarterback Eli Manning threw three interceptions that day and they were all returned for touchdowns. It's hard to imagine the Giants sitting up at the Meadowlands the following Monday plotting the design of their Super Bowl rings.
There are more stories like that one from this decade, too.
Pittsburgh lost its last two games in November and its first in December to fall to 7-5 in 2005. Had they lost again, they wouldn't have made the playoffs. They didn't lose again.
The 2000 Baltimore Ravens went five straight October games without scoring a touchdown and were 5-4 after nine games and they, too, won a Super Bowl.
When the Phillies lost two out of three in Florida in mid-September and slipped two games behind the Mets and four behind Milwaukee in the wildcard race, were more people plotting a parade down Broad Street or manager Charlie Manuel's firing?
After watching the Eagles in Cincinnati, there's no reason to believe they can duplicate those unlikely runs above. No reason at all.
But it is a dangerous business to declare something is over before it's actually over.
Comments (116)
It's over Bob.— hairball- Toast Bob— JBP
- Seek help Bob. The fat Coach has sung.— atleaglefan
Comment removed.- Bob, Howard Eskin is on the phone and angry that you're stealing the talking points for his show. How quickly did Joe Banner get this memo to you?— JoeInTheKnow
- It's really over. The season can be saved if AR or MM doesn't call any more plays, but that's never going to happen.— palmyra21
- Bob: Please, do not compare the iggles to the Phillies. The iggles are dogs. And using the falling 7-4 analogy with the Giants is sham.— warbird
- I notice you wrote your article in extremely small, almost microscopic, font size of about 3. does that symbolize your lack of belief in your words?— stingo
- Does anybody think the Eagles can compete this weekend against the Ravens after the debacle in Cincinatti? "It's over Johnny.....it's over"— FreeFalGuy
- come on Bob. Keep on holding out false hopes and for what? If for some really strange reason they do sweek into the first round, do you honestly believe they have a chance to win with Andy running things and Donovan throwing the ball god knows where?— CCBanker
- Bob- You are technically right and a turnaround is possible, but only if Reid and his coaches make a decision to throw caution to the wind. What have they got to lose? There is no reason they can't win any of their remaining games. It's just unlikely and probably impossible unless they toss out their old ways of doing things.— RichB
- third and one, it is over for 2008 find a fullback find a offense coordinator find some heart— reddevil
- A team that can't gain 1 STINKIN' YARD on 3rd down doesn't deserve to go to the Super Bowl! Besides, this isn't baseball...the Eagles don't have a 3 game series with the Giants coming up to try to make up the ground. Things need to change.— uncle meat
- It's over. This team is a bunch of underachievers. When do the Eagles ever steal a game? Get out played but pull off the victory, never! They only know how to significantly outgain the other team and lose (Chicago) or tie (Bengals). Thank you Phillies for making me indifferent about the Eagles bungling this season.— The Beast
- PLEASE! Obviously, you haven't watched this team the past four years, moron. Unless Jeff Garcia steps in as QB - we are destined for another 4th place finish. THe sad thing is, with McNabb and Reid's pass-only philosophy - we are last every yr now and rarely beat a division opponent... but the media and Eagles' organization still talk playoffs. GET A CLUE or a new job!— AllDawk_AllTheTime
- Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? NO!— Skena
- Let's hope they lose the rest of their games and Andy will finally be fired or the town will revolt.— Misfit1
- When did Dave Spadaro start writing this blog?— markf
- People say the season is over because nothing ever changes with this team. Every week there are miscues and excuses. Something must change for the oucome to be different. How about this? Run the freakin' ball...Get Buck in the game for more than 2 touches. The list goes on, but if someone can implement a change, the team can still win and move ahead. If the leadership continues to be stubborn, arrogance and resistent to doing things different, then yes, the season is over.— carpinj
- It's not over but they have to play some west coast offense, get out in front and stay there, you can't play the other guys game no matter how bad they are. They don't have smashmouth personnel, but that's ok, if you do what you do best - they're designed to play ball control passing.— robinlupe
- Its over. Need to find a "smash mouth" running back. Good-bye to Andy. The team needs an "in your face coach". Maybe Lurie can lure Bill Cowher out of his tv job.— JS3
- How many days until Pitchers and Catchers report to Clearwater?— Rob
- funny how he mentions the phillies and you people STILL type the same exact comments that were posted in september: "what's the point of the playoffs, they'll just lose." and it wasnt just september, it was also in august after being swept by LA, in june during the 6 game losing streak. people wanted to proclaim the phillies season dead because utley was 0 for 24. people wanted to pronounce the '06 eagles dead after falling to 5-6. what's the point of making the playoffs? steelers were a #6 seed and won the super bowl. the giants were a #5. **** happens... fyi, with the tie, there are no tie breakers for the eagles with any nfc teams now. they are only 1/2 game behind the 2nd wild card position. 1 more win in the final 6 games than the skins, cowboys, and falcons and they're in the playoffs. man, that is so far out of the question. that's too much thinking though, it's just easier to say "season over."— mikeb
- It was over 4 years ago when everyone figured out Reid and McNabb. Time for a reboot - Reid out first (or find a REAL offensive coordinator and take all play calling away from him), give McNabb a year of new strategy and play calling and see if he can pull it together, otherwise, bye bye.— Bender
- It been over since the start of the season.— Tom5576
- One week it Reid, the next week McNabb. If we keep them next year, might as well root for another team.— Tom5576
- It's over and Much Like Obama, it's time for CHANGE!— K_Ball
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- It's not over. This is typical Philly fans. He is exactly right. You all jumped off the bandwagon for the Phils, and then got back on.— scars73
- You make a great case on paper concerning it not being over, however you fail to understand one big fat variable in your equation. Those teams don't have Andy Reid making game day decisions for them, so they were able to overcome those odds. However we in Philly are not that lucky. So Bob, maybe your trying to put a spin on this thing to work in favor of the Eagles, or maybe you just love them so much you somehow think that can happen. Remember we are dealing with Andy Reid, the guy who is still forcing that square peg in to round hole. And like a remedal child in grade school he can't understand why it doesn't fit. It's over, do you honestly think that those situations are going to happen to team with a coach they tries 3 straight running plays and doesn't get the a TD in Chicago, a coach that tries twice to run for a 1st down agaisnt the Giants and fails,a coach who cuts his only real fullback leaving the fullback duties to a backup lineman , who last year has what amounts to a try out for punt returners but only has one person trying out, then cuts that one person leaving the team to start the regular season without a proven punt returner thus costing him a win on opening day. And that's just the beginning, so using that as my precedence I would say, IT"S OVER BOB— MoBayYankee
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- I'd normally be the first to say dont panic. But to compare this team to the Giants is ridiculous. The Giants had a new defense led by a new coordinator. It had a young QB that hadnt come into its own. The Eagles have ther same old defense that hasnt been truly dominating every week since what? 2004? The offense is now old in key positions, still lacking a #1 WR, and McNabb still hasnt shown he can win a game by himself in years! So Bob, please tell me what has changed on this team? Tell me what could change on this team to lead you to believe they can win 5 in a row against all winning teams? What has changed that makes you think they can win 3 games against our division with two of them on the road? The best we can hope for now is 8-7-1. Pathetic. Ed— stfsergeanted
- Your right weird things DO happen It is very strange that a guy making 100 million dollars at his job does not know the rules - THAT is weird— owlsrule
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- Being the number one Eagles fan what I have to say is more important then everybody else's opinion. I don't think this team can win it all and we may need a new quarterback. McNabb's skills use to place him up in the top 5 of league quarterbacks, ever since the super bowl his skills have been eroding (the surgery didn't help). I and probably everybody else expect him to go out with an injury if the Eagles look like they are going to lose big, also many think he is more worried about his stats sometimes then winning. If the Eagles Number One fan (me) is starting to think this then it's time (after this season ends) to start looking towards rebuilding this team and getting quality players in trade for McNabb while he's still worth anything.— neddyflanders
- Dear Mr Brookover...wake up and smell the catbox.Thanks.— red rock
- Yes...strange things happen...like ties to the freakin Bungles. Very sad. And strange things like punting the ball away and playing for a tie (at best). Andy is the worst game-day coach ever. Can't the birds get someone else to make the calls on game day?
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- It's over unless management sits down to have a nice long talk about what changes NEED to be made for this team and not who is who's favorite. Until they face their issues, ITS OVER!— mumforlife
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- Someone go and untie Bob now!!!!! Banner and his henchman Eskin must have broken into Bob's studio apartment and typed this .— davekrieg
- Mathematically, maybe. But does what you saw yesterday even make you want to root for such a thing to happen? Didn't for me. Go Flyers!— toph314
- Bob, if your point is that pipe dreams exist, I'll agree. But this is over. Repeat: It's over.— p-diddy
- It's over when the FAT COACH sing, lol— Tom5576
- I'll tell you why it's over: Jacobs, Barber, Portis coming up.— p-diddy
- quadraphonic stereo???? dude, what era are you living in? that went out with the 8-track player. get in the 21st century. i like your optimism, it's better than being negative. i'm not sure how realistic it is but someone has to be hopeful.— scooterj
- Andy Reid missed 1 day in his coaching university to eat cheeseburgers. On that day, he missed three key lessons on fundamentals: 1) You need a blocker, i.e. a fullback, to BLOCK for the smaller quicker runners. 2) You need tacklers, i.e. a fat defensive lineman or husky middle linebacker, to stuff the run so that your speed guys can force turnovers on forced plays. 3) You need a great or very good wide receiver to make your mediocre players looks much better, e.g. T.O. Honestly, the 3 over rated feuding corner backs, innaccurate quarterback, underachieving tight end, rejuvinated defense ends, and aging safety would all be part of a team with very good chemistry if they could block, tackle, and catch. BLOCK, TACKLE, CATCH. SQUASH, STUFF, SCORE. when did the west coast offense become about accepting lesser talent per position?— MichaelZoe
- MIKEB, NICE TRY about the tie / NFC game. However, the Eagles have not won a division game. None. blotto. zero. nada. nunca. McNabb is like a hamster on a wheel. he would play and throw year after year, game after game, and just be happy to throw the ball. he doesn't have a burning intense hunger to win. he throws the ball to complete passes. Not to win games.— MichaelZoe
- At least with the Phils, we knew that they were fighters, and they had a knack for coming back time and again. The Iggles give us no such confidence. We see the same coaching miscues, player gaffes, and troublesome tendencies game after game, year after year. In fact, the team is regressing each week now, and we are left to acknowledge the obvious: The Reid/McNabb era has ended. If only the front office realized it as well.— farside37
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- The Eagles are a good team w/ no leadership or motivation. Our bumbling coach, "Mr. it starts with me, I have to get them in a better position to make plays" has got to go! And why is McNugget smiling after going 3 and out all night?? The team needs a leader with enthusiasm. You never see Garcia or even Favre standing on the sideline grinning like its a day at the beach after getting their butts kicked. Hopefully Kolb has a set ... put em in!— DCBirdman
- Let drive Andy and the Eagles crazy, when TO and the Cowboy comes to town at the end of December, let all cheer on Dallas.— Tom5576
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- OVER.... OVER.... OVER. It's been over for a couple weeks but now, for sure, it's over.— timjmjr
- WE NEED TO LOSE THE WCO! Get a true every down back- Westbrook is glass. Get a fullback - Klecko is fat. Get an offensive line that knows how to create holes. Get a coach that knows how to run the ball (Marty Schottenheimer or Bill Cowher). Get a qb that knows how to manage the game. McNabb clearly doesn't know how to. I've never seen a comeback win in the 4th quarter by this guy. If we run the ball, we can control the clock and get opposing defenses tired by halftime. A couple of our possessions yesterday were under 30 seconds. Pathetic.— jayfril
- It would be nice to have receivers that can actually "receive." Kevin Curtis tries to catch a ball like he is playing pee-wee league. How many times does it hit him in the chest before a coach tells him he's doing it wrong?— springfieldzoo
- Andy, the arrogant, Andy, the control freak, Andy, the man who took a quaterback not suited to his system and forced it upon him....has finally been exposed to his owners....(we all saw it alot earlier) They won on Donovan's legs and now unfortunately they are not there...so the big guy should be let go.....but Donovan will be the scapegoat....and Andy the Arrogant , the pride of Jeff, the gold standard, pedal to the medal fraud, and Joe, I'm a capologist genius but I don't now squat about football will hide in a corner while smiling at the value of their franchise.— nuggett
- No run game = no win in the NFL.. bottom line.. I'm not a coach but I slept in a Holiday in Express last night!— DCBirdman
I like to read a different spin on things, this is very true. Thanks, Bob. Phillies are case and point. Things look very clear at 5-4-1, but a few inspired wins in a row, other wild card teams faultering, you never know.— gho_matt- Comment removed.
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- Bob, its ova!!!— Coff
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- How bout those Kixx....— Grazman
- Season isn't over til the fat man sings or until all eagle team gear is sold for christmas. that was junior high game yesterday and personally i'm going to enjoy getting back 3 hrs in my week.— natedog
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- Last year we forgot we needed a punt/kick off returner, this year it's a fullback...why??? Hey Jeffy and Joey - I've got to do a better job and we'll just keep firing...so let's keep firing: McNabb, Reid, Spadaro,— MrJimmy
- Its over! LETS GO SOUL!!!— mumforlife
- Its over! LETS GO SOUL!!!— mumforlife
- It's not over. That said; Andy Reid's time is over in Philly. Eagles have become one dimensional under him. Time for change and probably some new suffering. Hey Andy, Dallas will probably be looking for a new coach in 2009!— thejerz
- didderbops - obviously you've never seen Animal House...he's on a roll...— MrJimmy
- LOL. too funny. every football example you gave had better records than what the eagle have now. poor analogies. very poor.— siminsda
- Bob, You are a complete fool. Maybe you should join Dave Spadaro at philadelphiaeagles.com if you really believe that. I bet you were one of the fools that fell hook, line and sinker that the Eagles were good when they won three meaningless games at the end last year. Your a loser Bob!!— PhillyExPatriot
- They are finish McNabb oh I mean Mctrash, and Andy Reid gots to go but Lurie won't do nothing as long as he has a full stadium each week, boycott the games is the only way to get rid of them BUMS— douglasrdd
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- Zero sense of urgency in that OT! A delay of game was insane in OT as well!— Outtaherehr
- It's been over, and Andy is over weight too!— Big Ragu
- Michael Vick and Bill Cowher can quickly turn this team back into a winner. Vick's arm is every bit as reliable as McNabb and he can still run - enough to pick up all the short-yardage the Birds can't seem to get this season. I think this would be the perfect turnaround story for a blue-collar town. A guy makes some dumb mistakes off the field, pays his dues, and comes back to lead the Eagles to redemption. Cowher will overhaul the under-sized defense and get us a power running game with another talented receiver to complement D Jax.— CB4
- BYE BYE FATMAN!!— Dvs Mind
- This "gold standard " of an organization is closer to coal than gold.Get a clue Eagles,just competing & saving all those million's under the cap are not working.It's over for me this year & I will not go 2 another game.— hazer
- Utah State is looking for a Head Coach - here's hoping!!!!!— Danny55
- It's over; we're not fools. The only people that don't know it's over is those people who still pay to see this team that doesn't seem to want to win; even for themselves. I guess they've already invested in season tickets. If Eagles management had any respect for their season ticket holders; they would get rid of Andy Reid!!!!— chgtown
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- Stick a fork in the Eagles...they're DONE— Loo
- It's over and it's no surprise. McNabb is done and Reid needs to move on. It saddens me to say this by yes our season is finished. Let's go Sixers and Flyers!— Hunter
- Bad QB Play, Bad Play Calling, Stupid Penalities, Bad Clock Management, Mediocre Special Teams Play are a lot of things to fix just to get back into it, I don't think its gonna happen....time for changes.— jss31
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- oh my god! no wonder we get a bad wrap as fans . You people are already jumping off the building. I can't beleive you guys r already quiting, u never know. I know this team look horrible yesterday and they can't get 1 yard went they need it and they can't stop a yard went they want to, but come on! I know I am going to get laugh at with this comment but u can't give up. I know all those people who complain before me will be the first ones on the bandwagon if they do turn it around so give it a break people.— flathame
- I agree Bob.....in theory only. We have no offensive balance. Our beloved B-West has injuries to contend with and no blocking in front of him. Andy did not think to include a run-blocking tight end or a hole-opening fullback on this roster....just a space eating useless little experiment that he is too stubborn to part with. (Any Lorenzo Booker fans out there...anywhere?)And just when I think the defense might be gradably better than in years past, the debacle against the G-Men turns up. Hard not to be negative here Bob, sorry.— TBear
- The Eagles are not the Giants of last year. This Eagles team has played, probably, 2 decent games this year so they are nothing like last years Giants. You are a sad journalist by just giving us Andy's talking points instead of reporting reality. You are just like the political reporters who wanted everyone to think that the Presidential race was going to be close so they would get get ratings and make more money. Who is paying you the bucks to lie to us?— chucksf
- THANK YOU! Everyone in this town LOVES to say it's over, or "I'm done, I'm not watchin em". Like my brother in law when the Phils lost a string in Sept. I told him there's plenty of baseball left. It's such a defeatist attitude and you would think in a blue collar city people would root till the end. The glass is always half empty in Philly.— tfarnath
- THANK YOU! Everyone in this town LOVES to say it's over, or "I'm done, I'm not watchin em". Like my brother in law when the Phils lost a string in Sept. I told him there's plenty of baseball left. It's such a defeatist attitude and you would think in a blue collar city people would root till the end. The glass is always half empty in Philly.— tfarnath
- Finally. The voice of reason. All these fans, analysts, and any other chump whose jumping off the Eagles Express need to calm down. I'm a true believer they can get their act together and do some damage down the stretch. We are not the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs or Houston Texans. We are the E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!!!— RicoDnero
- Please Bob ... IT'S OVER— spark88
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- I thought Dave Spadaro was the Eagles shill. When did you take his job? The Porcine Wonder and his waterboy McDrab should take their lame act somewhere else. Hire Bill Cowher. Play Kolb.— jerrynaab
- Watching the remainder of this season is akin to rubber necking a five car pile up on I95. The only question is how gory the next six weeks are going to be.— phillyaustin
- Bob - I gotta do a better job there.— DMC5
- Bob - I gotta do a better job there.— DMC5
- Bob,, The season is toast. No chance . About as much hope as you winning the Pulitzer prize for such a dumb point of view.No running game. Not even an attempt to establish the run . Always the same predictable game plan no matter who they play.MacNabb would be better off somewhere else and the entire City would be better off if Reid left too.— MJPD345
- Poor Bob. He has gone over to the Delusional Side.— essell
- It's probably over. I really can't see this team winning in Baltimore, NY or Washington, but that's why they play the games. I thought there was no way the Iggles go on the road two years ago and win at NY, Wash and Cowgirl land in consecutive weeks. I also thought it was over last year when the Phils were down 7 with 17 to the mutts. Let's be honest, if they somehow figured out a way to win this weekend against the Ravens we'll be jumping back on the bandwagon. I'm not, however, holding my breath.— KMG
- Bob - please call Ashley Fox so you can gain some clarity on this situation.— psuwelsh
- Geez the Haters are in full force. All you Phillies fans huh?? bet none of you were screaming to fire Chollie and that idiot ownership group? Luckily they dont achive April and May posts here at DN and the Inq.
- lol, thats rich, bob!!— DIAGFMCNABB
- Simple... This team is not designed to win. It is designed to rake in money for the owners. Hot dogs, get your hotdogs right here at the Linc. Don't forget to buy a jersey!— starman
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- Bob, It's over because Brian Westbrook not only has bad ribs, a high ankle sprain but now a swollen knee, if he's healthy I think there's a chance, but he's not, coupled with D-Mc's inaccuracy, and Andy's poor gamemanship we are done !!! Sorry, but you need to keep it real !!!— Delaware Doc
- oops. Wasn't supposed to look like that. But then neither was the Eagles season either was it... What do you expect from a former "Quarter back" coach??? That's right, this is all he knooooows.— nafselgae1
- One problem with the fine bit of hope BB is giving to us...the Eagles aren't as talented as most of those teams nor are they close to the Giants. Look, I appreciate all Reid and McNabb have done, but it just comes a time when change is necessary. It's time...the Eagles will NEVER, EVER WIN a TITLE from this point on with the current make-up of the roster and coaches. Please,I love this team, but if you think otherwise you are deluding yourself in every respect. That window has slammed shut.DM of old is past. God Almighty, the guy looks like he is about to have a coronary when he runs more than 10 yards. The coach almost went for a first down when it was 4th and 1 from the 10 when you have to kick a FG to tie with a few minutes left. HE HAD TO TAKE A T.O. BECAUSE THEY SCREWED UP THAT SIMPLE DECISION !!! It's time...thanks for the memories...the Eagles are done. TIME to CHANGE. Lurie knows it.— justonebeforeidie
- What do you say guys...lets get holmgren off seattle— trosar
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