Reid: It needed to happen sooner
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Reid: It needed to happen sooner
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The Eagles have won three in a row for the first time all season, but the hole they dug for themselves earlier in the year was too deep, and they won't be going to the postseason.
It's the fourth time in Andy Reid's 13 seasons as the team's head coach that the Eagles won't be in the playoffs.
"You can’t do that," Reid said. "You’ve got to take care of business early. We’re coming together as a team now. ...We’re healthy obviously, and guys are playing good, aggressive football. As a head coach, I’ve got to make sure I get that part done sooner than later. The things I told you as we were going through this needed to happen sooner than the last three games there, from my standpoint."
Reid said he was proud of his team's effort in the 20-7 victory, but he knows the Eagles put themselves in a bad spot.
"That’s a tough situation," Reid said. "A couple lessons that can be learned. Number one, don’t put it in somebody else’s hands to get yourself into the playoffs. But number two, they focused in on the Dallas Cowboys, and that was the most important thing today, so I appreciate the effort."
One of the biggest offseason questions will be about Juan Castillo's future as the team's defensive coordinator. The Eagles held the Cowboys to 7 points, allowing only one touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Tony Romo was injured early in the first quarter, making way for Stephen McGee.
"They're playing well as a unit," Reid said. "Juan's done a good with them, bringing them together. They're playing their hearts out. You saw that today. They wanted the goose egg. We didn't get it, but they were really shooting for that. They didn't want them to get in the end zone."
Would the Eagles have been a dangerous team if they snuck into the playoffs?
"We’re playing good football right now," Reid said. "I’m not sure we’re a team that people necessarily wanted to see get into the playoffs. We’re playing that type of football, but we’re not in the playoffs so we’re going to finish the season off strong. That’s what we’re going to do."
The Eagles are 4-1 against NFC East opponents, but the division will be decided next week when the Giants host the Cowboys. The winner goes to the playoffs. The loser will be at home with the Eagles.
"I’m happy for Jason Garrett for having an opportunity to possibly take his football team to the playoffs," Reid said. "And Tom Coughlin. I wish we were there."
For my earlier post-game observations, click here.
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Poll: After missing the playoffs, what changes need to be made?
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It needed to happen sooner he says....ya think?— NC Eagle Fan- It needed to happen sooner he says....ya think?— NC Eagle Fan
- It probably would have happened sooner if Mr. (Smarty Pants) Reid had: (1) NOT made an offensive line coach defensive coordinator; (2) Followed the begging, pleading,and angry insistence of fans, and some journalist, to balance out the offense with more running plays; (3) NOT started a rookie at middle linebacker; (4)Played Jackson instead of benching him for the Cardinals game et al. But, as we all know, Reid is smarter than the rest of the football world which is why our team has so many Lombardi Trophies... Oh, wait a minute... — essell
- Don't care if the Eagles win out. Wouldn't matter if the got lots of help and made the playoffs, which didn't happen.
REID needs to go. 13 years of Andy is at least 5 years too many.
Andy couldn't win the weedwacker bowl, let alone the super bowl.
FIRE REID NOW !!!!— Fan74 - This team found a way to lose some they had no business losing. With the way the young o-lineman played, and the improvement on defense by the end, there is no way you can blow it all up and expect a better result next season than the one you would get if you keep Reid and Co.— Paul SoTX
- I agree, if you look at the way the D played down the stretch, it now becomes alot harder to axe Juan. I would like to see Steve Spagnola come back as our DC but if not him, I am fine with Juan. The haters will not like this but we are now a top 10 defense. There was a huge learning curve for him and the players.
- I am glad the playoff fantasy finally ended. There was no way this team should have made it to the playoffs. The team is NOT built to win in the playoffs - We need to start over - new front office, new coach, new qb & a new attitude!— lgm4885
- Now Mr. Lurie needs to step up and realize that Mr Reid and the rest of his UNDER achieving bunch of loser coaches need to go! The Phila Eagles will NEVER win a super bowl with Andy Reid as coach. Book it!— george22
- McNabb took the blame for '09; McDermott took the fall for '10; someone needs to be the scapegoat for '11, and we all know it won't be Reid. Since Castillo is Reid's long-time friend, I'm guessing it'll be Bobby April. Sorry, Bobby, you just needed to do a better job. Time's yours.— tbone pickins
- Fire Andy now! Howie Roseman too!— chocolatethunder
- I hope Andy Reid is in the Wing Bowl because its the only the championship that tub of lard has a chance of winning..If I owned the Eagles and after every game I had to listen to Reid say "its my fault I have to do a better job" then I as the owner should then say your fired!! Why does the fat man walk on water?? Could somebody please answer that for me..Andy Reid needs to be back in Utah grazing on the prairie with the rest of the cows...— TheRod
- It's time for Jeff Lurie to put Andy Reid in a better position to win football games for the Eagles. Fire him and his coaching staff, and hire someone who's actually won a Super Bowl as a head coach.— rhawnhurster
- I'm going to being LMFAO if the 49ers somehow get to the SuperBowl. Just goes to show what happens when you have the right coach in charge.— Drew777
- Actually, his firing needs to happen sooner so that Mr. Reid can put himself in a better position to get a new job.— NM Eagle fan
- Hey Lurie, sell the team to someone who cares. I think Lurie is actually a giants or cowboys fan, and when he couldn't buy whichever one of them is his favorite team, he figured the next best thing he could do is buy the eagles and let a fat, lazy, idiot under pressure run the team into eternal mediocrity. F U Lurie, hope you and your family have a horrible Christmas.— Reidiculous
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