Posted: Monday, November 24, 2008, 11:32 AM | 15 comments |
 

National media blames Reid
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I am off from my day job this week so I've been taking in everyone's opinions on Andy Reid, Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and the Eagles this morning.

The Inquirer and Daily News reporters and columnists have everything you need in terms of local coverage in philly.com's Eagles section. And I offered my 10 observations right after the game. Be sure to check philly.com this afternoon for the latest from Reid's press conference.

Here's a sampling of what they're saying nationally. I'll have more links later today and tomorrow:

On ESPN this morning, Merrill Hoge basically said Reid's system is flawed:

"Here's what the Eagles do for you. We're gonna make it easy on you. We're not going to run the ball. We're gonna be one-dimensional for you therefore it's much easier to defend the Eagles. You understand their passing game can be very dynamic, very good at times but it's the only thing we must defend. It's the only concern we have so when your quarterback like Donovan and even Kevin Kolb are struggling, what do the Eagles do, and in this case Andy Reid, do to help them? Nothing. They keep chucking the ball. They keep putting him in bad situations... If Kevin Kolb is your starter and you choose to play just like this, he's gonna look just like Donovan, maybe worse."

Sal Paolantonio of ESPN wondered what the crowd's reaction would be Thursday if McNabb started:

"Thanksgiving night, Lincoln Financial Field, I wonder if you want to subject Donovan McNabb to the almost certain disgust and booing that will come from the fans when he is announced as the starting quarterback and every time he throws an incompletion, everybody in the stadium looking for that cutaway shot, everybody in the TV audience, everybody in the press box, maybe even some of his teammates on the field, looking for that cutaway shot of Kevin Kolb. OK, when is he going to come in? Every time there's an incompletion or an interception, do you want McNabb to go out like that in a very undignified way?"

On NFL Network, Steve Mariucci said he disagreed with his friend Reid's decision:

"I'm surprised he did it, especially 10-7 at halftime. I understand Donovan's in a slump a little bit. So are the Philadelphia Eagles. It's not always one guy. We know that, but to put a new quarterback in against a great defense at Baltimore, that's tough to ask Kevin Kolb to do much more than Donovan could. I don't know. I'm curious about this move...I would have kept Donovan playing."

Mariucci was also asked about Reid not being the one to tell McNabb he was being benched. Here was his response:

"They've been joined at the hip for 10 years. I thought if they were gonna do it, Andy might go up to him and say 'hey listen, we're gonna let the other guy go. Stay in the game. We need a spark. That's it. We'll talk about it later.' But he had the assistant coach do it. That surprises me as well."

And finally, Deion Sanders disagreed with McNabb's benching:

"They have no running game so the burden relies on the quarterback to just make heroic efforts on the passing game. The Philadelphia Eagles, they're not that type of team. Defensively they're OK, but offensively, full of struggles."

Deion was asked what the players might be thinking after yesterday's events:

"That he [Reid] don't know what he's doing. After all this time, after all we've gone through, you don't know what you're doing and Donovan McNabb is your leader. You don't have an offensive leader. That is it. He's your guy."

Like I said, I'll pass along some of what the national writers are saying later today.
Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 11:32 AM  Permalink | 15 comments
15
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:09 PM, 11/24/2008
    As they should. What a cowardly move to send his assistant coach to tell McNabb he was being benched! It's true - McNabb is not the right fit here, never was. He's too sensitive for this town. He's imploding right now under the pressure. But he could still be a decent quarterback and I think he'll go to another team and excel in his final years if he has support. Reid? I think it will continue to go downhill from here.
    — betsy72
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:47 PM, 11/24/2008
    With all the experimenting Andy's doing I just thank God the season is only half over. My prediction, 16-5-1.
    — MaddenFL
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:10 PM, 11/24/2008
    Sheil, abs is a doosch bag...keep up the good work
    — TomEBoy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:39 PM, 11/24/2008
    Of course the national media blames Reid and props up PrimaDonovan...they are the main reason he is the single most overrated, overwrought athlete in the history of Philadelphia sports. He is a product of total national and local media-hype, based on their desire for a black quarterback to succeed in the NFL.
    — 33 YRS & COUNTING
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:39 PM, 11/24/2008
    Of course the national media blames Reid and props up PrimaDonovan...they are the main reason he is the single most overrated, overwrought athlete in the history of Philadelphia sports. He is a product of total national and local media-hype, based on their desire for a black quarterback to succeed in the NFL.
    — 33 YRS & COUNTING
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:45 PM, 11/24/2008
    bench the fans who give up and throw in the towel while the game is still on
    — billgfc
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:17 PM, 11/24/2008
    33 YRS & COUNTING, I love how you ignore the fact that Reid has long been the darling of the national media. I also love how you forget the years #5 carried this offense with Nay Brown, James Thrash, Todd Pinkston and the likes surrounding him. Have fun at the Palin 2012 rally your redneck.
    — Eagles Phan in LI
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:37 PM, 11/24/2008
    Simple: Donnie came into the leagu as a prototype QB. No one could beat his legs, his arm was strong, even if a little inacurate. Donnie won games despite coaching and bad offense pieces surrounding him. No doubt he was the man. No doubt Fat'belly Reid used him up, just like the eagles destroyed wibert montgomery. Back in the Donnie was better days, Jim Johnson had advanced blitz schemes. Every team has those schemes now. So in essence the Eagles are still in 2004 mode, and the league is in a 2008 mode. THAT 2008 MODE INCLUDES BIG BRUSING RUNNING BACKS! TAKE THE NEXT BUS OUT ANDY...
    — starman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:11 AM, 11/25/2008
    Let's Go Flyers!
    — Icacrai
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:10 PM, 11/25/2008
    If 2008 NFL is about big brusing backs, then explain the Patriots who didn't even run the ball the last few years or the Colts. They've been successful with pass oriented offenses and small back.
    — crazyeyes
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:31 PM, 11/25/2008
    I guarantee you none of these people, save for perhaps Sal, have been subjected to the agony of McNabb's consistent slow starts this season. At the time it seemed like a good idea, but the hindsight is quite obviously 20-20 when it comes to the talking heads who form their opinions of the Eagles from high-, er, lowlights. I know it's their job, but I have very little regard for their thoughts from afar.
    — D3Keith
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:54 AM, 11/26/2008
    REID MUST GO. people we can run this guy out of town. Reid has to understand that philly fans want change. REID WE WANT YOU OUT.
    — phillyguy215


15 comments
About Sheil Kapadia
Sheil Kapadia is in his fourth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

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