Reid sticks up for McDermott
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Reid sticks up for McDermott
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Sean McDermott has become a punching bag of sorts for local Eagles critics, but his boss did not join the chorus that has increasingly criticized the Eagles defensive coordinator.
“I thought Sean had a heck of a game plan, doggone it,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said Monday, a day after the Eagles were humiliated by Tennessee, 37-19. “That’s’ a good football team right there. For three quarters, we had it right there. It’s not all about the offense, it’s not all about the defense. Everybody has an opportunity. We have to make sure we secure that up and finish things off.”
McDermott's defense surrendered 20 fourth-quarter points to the Titans -- Tennessee's last seven points came courtesy of a pick six off a Kevin Kolb last-second heave -- as quarterback Kerry Collins and receiver Kenny Britt torched the secondary. The unit has had trouble late in games, but previously it did not catch up to the Eagles. This time it did.
"Now it came back to bite us in a big way," Eagles safety Quintin Mikell said, "and basically, our asses were kicked. I think this will be a wake-up call. This is the NFL. All 11 guys on the field have to play together for four quarters."
Mikell was reminded that Peyton Manning and the Colts were next on the slate, along with a number of other playoff-worthy teams with above-average quaterbacks.
"I don't want to even hear that word," Mikell said, referring to "Peyton," who he said was "the best to ever play the game, in my opinion."
Despite the defensive problems, the Eagles are 4-3 heading into a bye week.
“It’s a crazy league,” Reid said. “We’re sitting there 4-3 and we’re right there in the hunt in a good way. I know I’ve got a good football team."
That football team will likely be led by Michael Vick again. Reid said that he expects his quarterback to be healthy enough to start the Nov. 7 Colts game.Vick said after the game that his injured rib cartilage was not 100 percent, but that he wouldn't know for sure until he actually played and took a hit.
Reid said that wide receiver DeSean Jackson has not yet passed the necessary concussion tests and been cleared to return to practice. He did, however, say that Jackson, along with tackle Jason Peters (knee) and defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley (elbow), "had a pretty good chance" of being ready for the Colts.
Still, Reid said he wasn't sure if Bunkley would be 100 percent even when he comes back. That means Antonio Dixon, who has been one of the defense's recent bright spots, would still see the majority of snaps at defensive tackle.
In other injury news, Reid said that tackle King Dunlap hyperextended his knee and has a bone bruise. The injury, the coach said, could take all of the two weeks off to heal. Dunlap has been filling in for Peters. Reid said that if neither left tackles could go, Todd Herremans would slide over from left guard.
QB's..McNabb, Kolb, Vick...are/were not the problem. Coaching is the problem. Lack of discipline, bad clock/timeouts management, no halftime adjustments. The Titans have a front 4 with a reputation for getting to the QB, WHY was Kolb continually taking 5 and 7 step drops????— syr5fan- Blah, blah, blah. Same old same old. Might if been a heck of of a gameplain but once it stopped working what happened? McDermott is as clueless as Reid when it comes to making in game adjustments.— pflynn20
- LOL. I love how he said they had it right there for 3 quarters. Too bad a football game usually consists of 4 quarters.— Pheagles Fan
- Ellis Hobb's ....broken foot, gone for season!!!!oop's just me day dreaming .— Landros
- McDermott and Reid = Dumb & Dumber— tralala
Comment removed.
McDoormat's defense surrendered 27 fourth-quarter points? They were on the field for the final 7 which was a KK pick6 special? The defense fumble the punt return? Look, the D did not look good but they were also on the field a lot due to the four consecutive 3 & outs. Wasn't the defense collapsing in the 4th Q McNabb's fault for 3 & outs?— Mabus- McDermott needs to go. He stinks and has stunk for two seasons now. Its like the eagles get a lead and McDerm forgets to call a blitz the rest of the game. i am glad i have direct tv so I could watch other games and be disgusted by that game
— Atlas - Syr5, pflynn & Pheagles, you guys got it right. Even with the young talent, you don't go to pieces like the D and O both did seven games into the season. That's coaching, and needs serious attention. AR: "...a better job of putting players in position to succeed" is an actual statement of significance, not just something to get you out of a press conference quickly.— rad205
- Syr5, pflynn & Pheagles, you guys got it right. Even with the young talent, you don't go to pieces like the D and O both did seven games into the season. That's coaching, and needs serious attention. AR: "...a better job of putting players in position to succeed" is an actual statement of significance, not just something to get you out of a press conference quickly.— rad205
- Yesterday was horrible....When Britt scores three TD's and 225+ yards in three quaters after being benched as a starter Reid must think we are stupid.
Game plan???
What game plan??
What adjustments?
He says it is a team sport, and it is, but the Eagles got torched by ONE player yesterday.
Times yours Andy!!!— Lamby - Of course he sticks up for him....Sean is one of his boys...to say anything else would be to critisize his selection....jsut like his offenseve and defensive line, line backers and defensive backfield......it is his team and hi talent selectin and he has to defend it....even though most of the players are not good enough to be in ghe NFL...thanks andy....for 11 years of failure to win the only thing that counts...— nuggett
- Someone tell McDermott that Manning likes to throw to Reggie Wayne.— Joe Lis lives
- Hmmm a vote of confidence from Andy Reid? Better pack your bags Sean McDermot. None of this will EVER change as long as Reid is coach and defacto GM— johng9966
Hobbs needs to be cut...he stinks. He can't play DB and and he can't return kicks so get him outa here! He has been a liability all year for this defense and McDermott needs to go back to LaSalle High School where he belongs.— birds748
