SLOW-STARTING DEFENSE?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
SLOW-STARTING DEFENSE?
Bob Brookover
If Andy Reid wanted to criticize the Eagles' defense after Sunday's debilitating 10-3 loss to the Washington Redskins, he could have pointed out that Asante Samuel and Quintin Mikell let interceptions slip through their hands.
Instead, he chose to talk about how his defense started slow.
"I thought the guys played hard," Reid said during his news conference today. "I just didn't think our execution was very good. I thought defensively we started out slow in the first half and weren't able to get off the field, but I thought the second half was a much better display of how we play on defense."
Started slow? Weren't able to get off the field?
The Redskins got one first down on their opening offensive series, which ended with a sack by defensive lineman Victor Abiamiri. They got one more first down on their second offensive series, which ended with a stop on a third-and-one play when Abiamiri got good penetration into the Redskins' backfield. Washington got two first downs on their third offensive series, which ended with a missed 54-yard field goal.
Washington's only sustained drive of the first half was a 16-play series that ended with a Shaun Suisham field goal late in the first half. An offsides penalty against Chris Clemons nullified a Darren Howard sack on a third-and-five play that would have pushed the Redskins out of field goal range. Later on that same series, Mikell let a potential interception slip through his hands that would have kept the Redskins off the board.
But it's still nitpicking to say anything negative about a defense that only allowed three first-half points, especially when Reid's offense managed to run just 21 plays for 66 yards and zero points. Reid was also critical of his offense, but he had every reason to be.
On the injury front, Reid said Abiamiri suffered a mild Lis Franc sprain against the Redskins and will have a difficult time getting back for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Stewart Bradley has fractured ribs, but Reid said he thought his middle linebacker would be able to play.
Reid said receiver Hank Baskett was feeling better after missing Sunday's game with a sprained knee ligament and receiver Kevin Curtis tested his strained calf muscle before the game against the Redskins but was unable to play. The coach said Todd Herremans was sore after playing with a sprained ankle.
Really! I couldn't believe my ears when Andy said the D started slow. Please BRING IN BILL COWHER. Or Steve Spagnuolo, or Jason Garrett or Josh McDaniels or Marty Schottenheimer or...— MaddenFL
Comment removed.- The D, was pretty good but those missed interceptions did hurt. Yet, it was the O as usual that failed. It was Andy's play calling and again, time management that once again failed.— KGKoons
- Buddy Ryan would have decked Reid for such a comment. Jimmy Johnson is too much a gentleman— JamesJ
- Buddy Ryan would have decked Reid for such a comment. Jimmy Johnson is too much a gentleman— JamesJ
- If the Eagles are having a hard time figuring things out, why don't the ask somebody? All the fans, reporters and everybody else are saying the same thing...THE PASS HAPPY ATTACK AND INEFFECTIVE COACHING IS NOT WORKING!!! Lurie stop counting your money long enough to listen for 10 seconds.— dapmman
- AS a long time GIANTS fan it is really tremendous to sit and watch this debotchery occur. All of you idiots still do not see that they are all to blame and nobody has called out johnson bc he is so good get some three and outs in the fourth and you may pick up a W instead of T— rickrick
- GO GIANTS the play of the year was calling a run play at the end of the first half then then a time out to run the same exact play to other side. Brilliant I loved house arrest has never been sweeter. Oh on case you losers have not noticed the giants are going to thre play offs the road to the SUPERBOWL will run thru NY. Later Meat bags— rickrick
- Comment removed.
- Be glad Reid is here. Who else would you have to bash, Charlie Manuel? Everyone associated with the NFL recognizes Reid as being one of the best coaches in the league. You just show your ignorance of the game when you make these asinine statements. Did even one of you ever think that the defense played so overpowering yesterday that Andy had to bring them down to earth a little in order to kkep them on an even keel for next week? No, right away your reaction is to bash Andy and whine. Enjoy the ride and forget about the nonsense about Andy leaving. He isn't going anywhere...— Russ
- I guess I had to say it twice to get through to some of you. From these vicious comments one would think the Eagles lost. Get a life!— Russ
