10 observations: Eagles-Ravens
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10 observations: Eagles-Ravens
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
1. I remember after last week, Rich Hofmann wrote that the Eagles' tie to the Bengals would forever be remembered for Donovan McNabb saying he didn't know the overtime rules. Well, I think today's game may very well be remembered for Andy Reid pulling Donovan McNabb and not even being the one to tell him. In case you missed it after the game, Reid was asked how McNabb responded when he told him he was being benched. Reid's response: "I haven't talked to him yet. I'll talk to him after this." I was watching on TV, and it seemed like everyone in the room was stunned, and for good reason. Reid said his coaches broke the news to McNabb. The two have had each others' backs since the Birds drafted McNabb with the second overall pick in 1999. They have never blamed each other, and have gone through the ups and downs of the past decade together. Fifty years from now, we will be looking back on this as the "Reid/McNabb" era. So that Reid wasn't the one to tell McNabb that he was done, likely once and for all in Philadelphia, is unbelievable.
2. In our live chat, every week a fan asks me if Kevin Kolb will go into the game. And pretty much every week, I say no, McNabb will be the quarterback. So when someone asked in the first half today, I responded that I would be "stunned" if Kolb saw any time in the second half. And stunned I was when McNabb was pulled in the second half and Kolb very likely took over the reigns of this franchise with 14:56 left in the third quarter.
3. It's pretty difficult to talk about the actual game when so much else is happening, but I was taking notes so we'll try. The Ravens called a running play with fullback Lorenzo Neal with 13:29 left in the second quarter. Why is this significant? Neal was the fourth different player to carry the ball for the Ravens. The Eagles, meanwhile, had a banged-up Brian Westbrook as their only option after Correll Buckhalter went down with an injury. Lorenzo Booker was inactive for the third straight game. Just seemed kind of ironic to me.
4. All week, the national media piled on McNabb for not knowing the overtime rules. That didn't change much today during the pre-game shows. Terry Bradshaw wore a necktie with McNabb's face on it. Seemed pretty lame to me, but to each his own. The ESPN guys, meanwhile, advised Philly fans to be careful what they wished for. "Sometimes I don't even know why he wants to be there," said Tom Jackson about McNabb. "Be careful what you wish for Philadelphia. Don't be stupid," said Chris Berman.
5. The Eagles' offensive line has seen better days. They were manhandled up front by the Ravens. The Eagles' rushing total of 86 yards looks better than it actually was. At one point, Westbrook had carried 10 times for 18 yards. The Ravens had two sacks, and tackle Haloti Ngata was an immovable object for pretty much the whole game.
6. The optimist says...
We should all be happy. The Eagles have hit rock-bottom. The Kevin Kolb era can finally begin. He got in a nice rhythm at one point, taking the team down the field before being intercepted by Ed Reed. Those mistakes are going to happen with a quarterback seeing his first significant time. It will be good to get him some action the rest of the season and then he can get the nod as your starter next year. If Reid is back, fine. If there's one thing he's shown, it's that he can develop a young quarterback. And if not, fine. A new philosophy couldn't hurt at this point anyway. By the way, special teams produced a touchdown, and the defense delivered a spirited effort for most of the game. Maybe the future is bright?7. The pessimist says...
Wow, Andy. I thought nothing you did would surprise us at this point. The mindset was to make one final push for the playoffs, right? So could you have picked a worse time to start the Kolb era? Against a punishing defense like the Ravens with a banged-up Westbrook in the backfield? Smart move. And you don't even tell McNabb he's being benched? I'm a pessimist so I've been calling for that move for quite awhile, but even I thought you should have been the one to break the news. This offensive line is in shambles and has no depth. The defense quit in the second half. And even though the special teams scored a touchdown, it also gave up a blocked punt. A complete regime change is the only thing that would satisfy me right now.8. In our chat, much was made about McNabb clapping after Kolb's interception. If you've followed McNabb's career over the past decade, I think you'd agree with me that it was a "keep your chin up" clap moreso than a "see, you can't succeed in this situation either" clap. In fact, haven't we seen McNabb clap after his own mistakes before? He's had some problems with guys like T.O. and Freddie Mitchell in the past, but overall, McNabb has generally been liked by teammates. Quarterbacks tend to stick together so let's not read more into this than we should.
9. As for Kolb, some are already roasting the guy. In fact, I just heard the Governor question Kolb's ability on TV. Let's be fair here. I have no clue whether Kolb is going to be good or not, but judging him on the second half of this game is ridiculous. The Ravens' defense is one of the better units in the NFL, the offensive line did not play well, and Westbrook was not effective. Let's at least give the guy a chance before we label him a bust.
10. I actually worked in Baltimore for 2.5 years when things turned on Brian Billick. The final straw seemed to be when he lost the locker room. For weeks now, I've said I didn't think that would happen to Reid because he was generally liked, but now I'm not so sure. He benched Omar Gaither and L.J. Smith and pulled McNabb. Is his generally good relationship with players now fractured? How can it not be? Like most other people who have been following this team, I've been saying Reid will be back next year. But I'm certainly less convinced now than I was about nine hours ago.
Andy Reid panicked (again), and pulled McNabb and the only chance the Eagles had to win that game. He basically threw in the towel on the game and season. And while McNabb has not been very good, the game plan the last few weeks has just been awful (like the pass on 2nd and goal from the 1 inch line)! The best drive we had in the 1st half was when the Birds ran the ball. Then, it was more of pass, pass, pass. Reid doesn't get it, and never will. It is comical that he doesn't even know when he can/can't throw a challenge flag! And we wonder why our QB doesn't know the OT rules? How do you not dress 3 RB's, when Westbrook is so banged up? And if Booker is that bad, why not bring back Tony Hunt or someone off the street (AR can't admit he made a mistake)? I was completely appalled that AR didn't inform McNabb personally that he was benched. AR is coward... Also, I'd like to know why Gaither was benched? Why not bench one of the OLman who have been just awful the last few weeks? And where is the fire and passion on this team? Runyan, can you please get in someone's face on the sideline? Before this game, I would have thought it would have been crazy for Reid not to come back next year (not as a GM though). But after today's performance, and the revelation at the press conference that he never spoke with McNabb, he needs to be fired IMMEDIATELY. This is clearly not a man capable of leading an NFL football team, or any organization for that matter. Maybe all of the personal stuff is catching up to him, or its possible the talent on this team was so superior in the past that it hid Reid's shortcomings. I wouldn't expect much from Lurie... he's another weisel!— dankil13
Comment removed.- I have been a lifetime Eagles fan dating back to Pete Pihos in the 50's. While I was thrilled when teh Eagles won a title in 1960 it wasn't on TV in my home area in Bryn Mawr. Since then it has been a long period with limited success. Verneil and Jaworski, Buddy Ryan and Randall Cunningham made me proud to be an Eagles fan but it was Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb who have given me a sense of hope every year for 10 years. If this is indeed the end, and after today it's hard to think otherwise, I can never say anything about them except "Thank you." I live in New York and these Eagles have given me years of excitement and pride. They have been class folks to boot. Say it's over but never, ever say they didn't give us many moments to cheer over the years. I saw Ray Rhodes, Ed Kayat, Joe Kuharich, and others, so be careful who you say isn't any good.— tjkellyjr
- Hey, remember when the Eagles let 15 seconds run off the clock before they called a TO near the end of the 2nd quarter? Great clock management.— Skwimua
- tjkellyjr....I agree with you. Mcnaab brought us back in 4th and 26...put us over the hump when we beat michael vick and the falcons...swept the cowboys year after year.....I agree with ESPN, we don't know what we have until we lose it....Mcnaab deserves better than this....we didn't give him a chance when he was drafted...front office didn't draft a receiver...it was pure coincidence that Andy Reid drafted Westbrook...take a good look at the Lions....because that is where Philly is headed if we gewt rid of Mcnaab for the next 4 years..... Kevin Kolb is the next Koy Detmer...— kenaldinho21
- McNabb=Mediocrity....Reid=Dinosaur— Mark1npt
- Here is an observation for all Eagles fans. If I am not mistaken, every team that has won the Super Bowl, has had a power run game. So, until the Eagles can run the ball on 3 and goal from 2 inches out, they will never win a Super Bowl. I am a die hard Eagles fan but the lack of a power run game in the close games will not get it done. It does not matter who is at quarterback. I think the coach and his assistants make the picks on draft day. That is my observation.— Winky1963
- I have been a lifelong fan of the Eagles. I have bled green and defended McNabb for years. First let me say "thank you" to Donavan and Andy Reid. It has been a great ride. Also, let me say that 50 drunks at the 99 draft should not be thrown in our faces for 10 years. Kenalindho21 is an idiot for bringing it up again. Mr. Lurie has to clean the entire house and start over with the substantial talent that this team has. Draft a QB and give Kobb a fair chance to start. Keep JJ and hire Spags from the Giants or Cowher. And for everybody to start on Kolb and call him the next Koy Detmer "get a life and learn something about football" he was put in an awful situation today and got no help from the recievers, tight ends, lineman, running backs and coaches with the awful calls.— MIKEZ
- The poor draft choices, trading number 1 picks 2 years in a row can be blamed on Eeid. A coaching change on top is a must. Look at the Giants. great O Line and 3 strong running backs that open the pass game, Look at the R edskins Portis, Moss and a good O line, Look at Dallas. Yes they have injuries but a good O line a great tight end and quality recivers. we have none of these. we play 6 games every year against these teams. Reid keeps sub par receivers like greg Lewis. puts him on kickoffs and he responds every week with dumb penalties. draft on offense for a change. get some people in the organization that can spot quality college players. look at the poor drafts we have had. The defense keeps us in the game and then they are dragging from so many 3 and outs. Thanks to Donovan and Andy but that era is over. its is rebuilding time.— naplesbear
- Every team who has won the Superbowl has had a power running game LOL!!! how stupid id that?? For everyone who already knows how Kolb will be, cant you atleast wait 'til he fails before you jump up and down squealing with delight. The same morons who probably wanted Ricky Williams.
- naples bear, which bad draft picks?? McNabb,Westbrook, Andrews, Herremans, Buckholder, Jackson, Patterson, Cole, Bradley, Gaither, Brown or Sheppard?? Any of those bad picks? Jury still out on Gocong, Gillies and Mikell. So where did we draft poorly lots of pro bowls and wins on that list you dunce.
- CSpangler must be a nice guy to have a beer with as he thinks that stepping in dog sh*t promotes organic fertilization. For his examples of excellence in drafting, he picked Gaither (who was benched), Sheppard (who does not start), Buckhalter, who plays two downs a week and neglects to mention the awful picks such as McCoy, Hunt, etc. His free agent signings such as Howard< Kearse, Booker, are also suerstars according to Spangler. Nobody is capable of being the defacto general manager and coach at the same time---especially someone who doesn't believe in the importance of skill players and the necessity of a running game.— ww2buff
- spangler, how stupid are you that you question Supe winners having strong running games. Name one that didn't have a decent running attack to complement the passing game. Elway couldn't win until the Broncs got Davis. The 49ers had good runners who could take the heat of Montana. The Steelers a couple years ago were primarily a running offense. Learn something before making dumb statements.— mike l
- The Eagles went into this game with two running backs and Westbrook was less than 100%. Andy Reid's blind devotion to the passing game is the source of the Eagles problems this season. McNabb is not as effective a quarterback if he won't or can't run. If McNabb leaves town it may be time for Andy Reid to go with him. Instead of anointing Kevin Kolb the QB of the future why not consider free agent to be Matt Cassel?— drspaceman
- Any respect I had for Reid is now gone. The move to put Kolb in was pointless. This is all part of the Eagles management's (which includes Andy) plan to make McNabb the fall guy and saving themselves. The fact that a report came out that Reid discussed benching McNabb against the Ravens with management a week ago further shows this. Nothing will change unless Reid is fired. I wouldn't mind seeing Banner and all of management gone as well. The Eagles were down 3 at the half and Andy basically said the season is over and it is all Donovan's fault...no wonder he couldn't tell him himself, and no wonder the players quit in the 2nd half. Also, if reports are true that Gaither was benched because he recently turned down a contract extension, then that just adds to why this whole regime needs to go. The players don't trust them, even their head coach, because he is also the GM— Lemur
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