THE RUNNING MAN?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
THE RUNNING MAN?
Bob Brookover
In a shocking development, Eagles coach Andy Reid was asked about running the football 41 times during Sunday's 20-14 win over the New York Giants.
"Some of it was dictated by the weather conditions," Reid said. "You weren't going to be very successful throwing the football in that weather."
In another shocking development, Daily News beat writer Les Bowen asked a smart-aleck question: "So should the fans who want the head coach to run more cheer for high winds every week?"
"I think the fans really want to win," Reid said. "They don't really care if we throw it or run it, they want to see Ws."
Brian Westbrook got the majority of the work at running back with a career-high 33 carries and Reid said he felt he came out feeling OK.
"I thought it was important for this game that he touch the ball," Reid said. "I thought the matchups were good. I thought it was important we get the run game going. There were a couple of times we tried to get him out of there and he wasn't up for that."
Reid said the key for Westbrook will be how his knee reacts to the pounding of Sunday.
"It didn't look like his ankle bothered him," Reid said. "Obviously this was a physical football and guys are sore, but we have an extra day to recover."
INJURY UPDATE. Reid said cornerback Asante Samuel suffered a sprained ankle against the Giants, but the coach did not think the injury was serious.
Wide receiver Kevin Curtis suffered a concussion in the game, but Reid did not rule out that he might be able to return to practice by Thursday. Tight end L.J. Smith suffered a bruised knee. Running back Correll Buckhalter, out the last two games with a sprained knee ligament, is expected to be back when the Eagles play the Cleveland Browns in a Monday night game.
Hey, St. Pete, it took Cowher 14 years before he won a Super Bowl in Pittsburgh. He wouldn't have lasted that long in Philly.— John621
Blame at least 4 of the losses on Andy's reluctance to run the ball. His complete reliance on Westbrook for the ground game proves how fragile and one dimensional this team is. We should have at least 2 other RB that can carry the load in case Westbrook can't go.I hope the pass happy maniac learned a lesson.— MJPD345- If Andy thinks the weather wouldn't allow him to throw yesterday why did he throw it 50+ times in a windy, cold stadium against the Bengals who have one of the worst run defenses.— ronre
- typical philly fans! god you guys are the dumbest people around. one person wanting marty who chokes in the playoffs every year and the other wanting cowher who took 14 yrs to win the super bowl. you guys dont know football at all. jroll was right, you are front runners. when the team does well, we are the best, when it struggles, you leave everyone for death.— tremo12
Comment removed.- The wind was blowing pretty hard in Cincinnati too but Reid just kept firing. Stubborn Andy will probably dial up 50 passes next week just cause so many people have pointed out the advantages of a balanced offense. Buddy Ryan could sum up Andy's philosophy, chuck and duck.— brs50
- AR's done it his way. He has achieved a certain measure of success. One suspects more could have been achieved, but it is his body of work. I've seen enough. I vote for change - give me something I can believe in again. :-)— pog
- Will.i.Am, I'm in your corner 100%. The Birds are nothing if not closers, always playing their best ball late in the season. I'm thrilled about a realistic possibility of January football in the City of Brotherly Love! We just dominated 2 Division Champions and the Playoffs are in sight!!! Keeping firing Donny and keep running Westy!!! Our D is fierce and the Birds will be a force to be reckoned with in January!!! FLY EAGLES FLY!!!— wondo40
- You can be an average fan to determine that you must have a balanced attack to win in the NFL. You must have a minimum of 3 solid RB's to consider yourself capable of running the ball. You must have a powerback (many call them FULLBACKS) to bull their way across the line or for those tight short yardage plays. Why is it so difficult for a head coach who has been in the business for all these years to understand that? We beat the NY Giants but Andy Reid must go. AR is a guy who lives and dies by the pass but never armed himself (except for TO)with play making above average receivers. AR has problem with identifying talent, Andy Reid must go.— LCurtis77
- It's true though. If the Eagles went 16-0 throwing the ball 70% of the time, would fans want them to run more? It's all about W's.— doorspj24
- too little, too late ... even if the team wins the next 3 in a row, it will take more than just a little luck to even make the play-offs— Mojo Thunder
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- Wasn't the weather in Cincinnati just as bad as it was yesterday in NY? Didn't we throw it 60 times then? How come nobody challenged him on this fact? Obviously (and thankfully), something has changed. Let's hope its for good! But, imagine if this team had a balanced attack all season? We wouldn't be fighting for the playoffs - instead we would be sitting on top of the division and/or Wild Card race!— dankil13
- Mojo, actually if the Eagles win their next three they are in at 10-5-1. They would give Dallass their 6th lost and we beat Atlanta head to head. Amazing isn't it?— towman
