What they're saying about the Eagles
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What they're saying about the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here's a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles this week:
SI.com's Don Banks has the Eagles 23rd in his power rankings:
There was one obvious team that sort of had a temporary need at quarterback when Donovan McNabb was waived, but nobody really mentioned as a possible landing spot. Wouldn't that have been another fun chapter in this fun-filled season in Philly? The return of No. 5. To go along with Vick and Vince and Mike Kafka. We can dream.
The Eagles are 24th in ESPN.com's power rankings:
The Eagles are one of the week's biggest fallers, and have dropped to their lowest point of the season. The loss in Seattle was apparently enough for the voters, who are sick of the league's most disappointing team continuing to disappoint every week. Mike Sando, who attended that game, has the Eagles at No. 26, behind the Panthers and Redskins. And at 4-8, it'd be tough for them to put up a real convincing argument against him.
Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com takes a look at what's gone wrong for the league's 10 worst teams, including the Eagles:
After 13 seasons under Reid without a Super Bowl victory, Eagles brass must decide whether it’s time for a change. Should he get ousted, Reid’s inability to effectively replace the late Jim Johnson at defensive coordinator will be a major factor. Juan Castillo — completely overmatched since Reid made the unwise move of switching him from offensive line coach during the offseason — is assuredly out regardless of Reid’s employment status. One potential saving grace for Reid and the Eagles: Defensive wiz Steve Spagnuolo may be available to return if ousted as St. Louis head coach as expected. Whoever is the new coordinator must hope Philadelphia’s front office does a much better job upgrading the linebacker position.
Elliot Harrison of NFL.com has the Eagles 23rd:
OK, now it's really over for the Eagles. To think this team will probably go 6-10 is mind-boggling. More often than not, teams built through free agency suffer the worst letdown in the prognosticated-greatness-to-season-outcome department. The 2000 Redskins signed Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith, Mark Carrier, Andre Reed and Jeff George, and promptly fell flat on their face, going from a 10-6 playoff team in 1999 to 8-8 even with all those "great" additions. Make no mistake, draft and retain is the way to get it done.
Brian Billick of FoxSports.com also has the Eagles 23rd:
I believe that if he wants to, head coach Andy Reid will be back next season, and he deserves the chance to have an offseason with all the free agents he signed this year. Football is the ultimate team game, and if they can get all this individual talent to play together as one, they will be right back on top in the NFC next year.
Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com predicts a 28-20 Eagles victory against Miami:
I’ve been wrong on the Eagles all year. When I pick them to lose, they win. When I think they’ll win, they lose. They gave zero effort and laid a massive egg in Seattle last Thursday night with their season on the line. Even with a long week to prepare, Andy Reid’s job in jeopardy, and a healthy Michael Vick back in the lineup, it’s hard to pick the Eagles with any sort of conviction. I think they find a way, here, but that’s a lot like saying “I think I’m going to like ‘The Office’ this week”. Everytime, I have this fleeting vision that they’re suddenly going to pull it all together and be as good as they should be, but they never deliver. That includes you, Ed Helms. MAKE ME LAUGH THIS SEASON. JUST ONCE. PLEASE.
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has already released a mock draft. He's got the Eagles taking Iowa tackle Riley Reiff with the sixth pick:
Ultimately the Eagles would likely rather trade out and target a big-bodied linebacker. However, adding a talented body like Reiff who is capable of giving them some much-needed versatility on the O-line is a nice consolation prize.
Khlaed Elsayed of Pro Football Focus ranks the Eagles' offensive line No. 1 in the NFL:
After all the money the Eagles spent, it’s quite humorous that their best signing came at the veteran minimum in the form of Evan Mathis. Mathis has combined with our top ranked LT on the year to form the best left side of a line in the league, while after some early season shuffles, the rest of the line has come together (with the occasional dips).
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Eagles 21st:
Is this the end for Andy Reid? After what happened in Seattle, it's hard to make a case to keep him.
Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports has the Birds 26th:
Based on his performance this season, is Nnamdi Asomugha the most overpaid player in football?
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the Eagles 25th:
Our friends in Philly continue to deserve more.
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Isn't there some billionaire out there who can make an offer to Christine Weiss Lurie and the missus they couldn't refuse? God help us all.— Atomic Fury- Again notice how Reid lackey Peter King has nothing to say about the Eagles demise. He constantly chirped how great a coach Reid was, but his comments have been missing lately if anyone's noticed.— watsonmr
- I agree that the only thing the birds will mange to do on draft day is find a way to get an undersized DE and trade all three of their 2nd rd picks for one 4th rd and eight 7th rd picks. Howie can find a LB in there somewhere.— UncleStosh
- If the eagles use any first round pick on the O line I might need to give up. I'm on the brink as it is. The fact that McCoy is flirting with the league rushing league with his chronic under use just makes me sick.— djack10
- The season would have turned out way differently if they played to their strengths. Profootball Focus has them rated as the best run blocking O-line. Give the ball more to the best RB in the league (who doesn't turn the ball over), and let him run behind the best left side in the entire NFL. Minimize the opportunities for Vick/Young to throw picks. Not sure this will ever happen under Reid/Mornhinweg.— december77
- Harbaugh was not even coaching in the NFL last season, he was a COLLEGE coach...but Harbaugh turned around the lousy 49ers in only his FIRST year...and now his 49ers are in FIRST PLACE....Reid's Eagles are in LAST PLACE.— frank105
- no way eagles draft offensive tackle after this debacle of a season. eagles will draft undersized defensive end with great motor.— bloodymess
- You are absolutely right, mess. Then they will continue to dominate the league by "throwing fastballs" at the opposing offense. Gold Standard baby!!!
— jd509 - Too much change in the offseason...too much clamoring for further change now. Let the team become an actual team. yeah, get rid of Castillo and get someone who can coach the guys to tackle and use Nnamdi's strengths, but keep the rest intact. Billick is a smart guy. harrison has only half the story.— reb
- Man...if our season ends in Miami, how many MORE references to the Heat are we gonna hear?— gjgreen3
- Elliot Harrison's comments (re: free agent signings) are probably the most interesting.... Eagle's decisions to go the free agent route this past year could probably be best described as "desperate," especially in hindsight. Best scenario in my mind is a rebuilding that includes some of the recently signed free agents, but with very significant changes overall. Is Reid the right guy to get it done? Don't think so - too many tough decisions need to be made, and his objectivity and ability to be clear-minded at this point are seriously in doubt.— Mr. Magee
- Andy Reid is simply a BURNED OUT COACH. Team is lost. Senior Assistants: Mornhinweg & Castillo are over-matched weekly. Team is in FREE FALL. Only known cure is a thorough house cleaning.— Smashmouth
- howard mudd needs to return next year and Juan Castillos needs to be fired this year!— VickaDelphia24
- "What they're saying about the Eagles"? How about nothing, they suck.— DennyP
- best O-line? wait,,, replaced Juan at O-line and the line becomes a strength? Move Juan to Def Coord and the Def becomes a weakness???,,,, hummmmmm.— With all this talent who needs a real defensive coordinator 2011
- Bingo.
— Richard Saunders - "Our friends in Philly continue to deserve more."
Hey Mike, thanks for the sentiment.— Warhound
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