Reid's in a fix
Eagles are in freefall
Reid's in a fix
Phil Sheridan, Inquirer Columnist
The Eagles are officially in freefall.
Andy Reid’s team, which came into the season with Super Bowl aspirations, is a mess right now. Forget the scoreboard, where the Eagles blew a 23-3 lead to lose 24-23 to the San Francisco 49ers. The real story is on the field, where Reid’s team looked disorganized and at times disinterested.
A week after Reid said he would fix the problems that plagued the Eagles in come-from-ahead losses to the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants, the very same problems cost them this must-win game against the lowly 49ers.
Turnovers. Michael Vick threw another interception. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin fumbled away the Eagles’ last chance to salvage the game.
Red zone misery. The Eagles struggled inside the 20 again, the lowlight being Ronnie Brown’s ingenius decision to throw the ball out of a pile at the 1-yard line. The resulting fumble cost the Eagles at least 3 points in a one-point loss.
Poor tackling. The Eagles safeties and linebackers continue to believe they are devastating hitters who can decleat an opponent with sheer power. They’re not, and they again bounced off opponents who continued running with the ball.
Collapsing defense. After blowing fourth-quarter leads in Atlanta and at home to the Giants, the defense began its weekly disappearing act in the third quarter. The Niners scored two touchdowns in the third, then capped the comeback with an all-too-easy score with 3 minutes left.
Worse still, the Eagles’ highly hyped, highly paid cornerbacks played as if tackling opponents was not in their job description. Asante Samuel and Nnamdi Asomugha both appeared to give up on big gains by the Niners.
Those recurring problems were joined by some fresh new worries. Rookie kicker Alex Henery, a fourth-round draft pick, missed two routine field goals in the second half. Either of those might have been the difference between losing and winning.
The Niners were not exactly a powerhouse coming into this game. Their defense was among the worst-ranked in the league. But they were able to blitz Vick, manhandle the smallish receivers and generally abuse the center of the Eagles offensive line.
So the Eagles are 1-3 after opening the season with a victory in St. Louis. Their three-game losing streak makes them a combined 1-6 in their last seven games, including a playoff loss to Green Bay.
In the Niners, the NFL schedule gave Reid a perfect opportunity to fix some of the major problems that have plagued this team. Instead, the Niners gave him one of the worst and most dispiriting losses of his 13-year tenure.
There is a lot more to fix and, with road games against surprisingly good Buffalo and Washington teams coming up, little time to fix it.
Which reporter will have the nerve to ask...Andy, are you considering resigning? Bet not one at Monday's press conference. That really needs to be put out there! Every other failing Eagles coach got that question, why not Reid?— Carlos2- Give Andy Reid a 5 year extension for a consistant offensive/defensive game plan.— tulsaphil
- LOL at anyone who can focus on the QB play as an issue after witnessing these last 3 weeks. Probably every NFL QB except Brady, Rodgers and perhaps Brees would be 1-6 in the last 7 games with this horrific defense, this steadfast refusal to run the ball, this inability to address long-standing problems such as poor tackling and utter failure in short-yardage situations. Those who focus on the QB, much like those who did earlier obsessed on McNabb, are as ideological, and thus intellectually inflexible, and thus dim-witted as Andy Reid himself.— PhilaLogic
- Maybe some of the members of the "team" don't like or respect their QB? Out of 53 players there might be a few players who deep down can't be led by mike. He did torture innocent animals - he reminds me of the main character in "Clockwork Orange". That smile is scarystuff! — Qb12
- Wow, the brain dead can type. So players are making lame attempts to tackle, are missing field goals, are blocking poorly on short yardage runs, are purposely playing linebacker poorly, etc. -- because of some conscious or subconscious disrespect for their QB?! Denying themselves all of their career goals and life's aspirations in the process... Again, if you can see Andy Reid as unable to see the obvious, pretend you're seeing him when you look in your own mirror. — PhilaLogic
- Lurie, Banner, Roseman and Reid (+Castillo). The 2011 version of the Keystone Cops in the NFL.— alwaysphil1
- Bill Cowher and Gruden are dinosaurs who won't win. Reid gets benefit of the doubt. If they implode this year, he will be gone. Can't believe how bad the defense is.— mlwmlw
- Reid isn't in a fix. The front office has no intention of replacing him so there is no urgency. The face of the franchise is a despicable felon and the sheep continue to support this team. No need to change anything. All in Dream Team!!!— Scope33
- make no mistake they didn't lose this game because of a choking rookie kicker. they lost cause their defense is disorganized, mismanaged and flat-out bad.— snakeplissken
- make no mistake they didn't lose this game because of a choking rookie kicker. they lost cause their defense is disorganized, mismanaged and flat-out bad.— snakeplissken
- The Phila parrot reporters will just bob there heads at Mondays lack of news conference. When Reid will not answer any question, they should walk.— tulsaphil
- Here is my biggest worry everyone-> First off, I don't think Lurie will actually fire Reid. Reid will resign saying he wants to spend more time with his family or something like that - Lurie will let him go gracefully. Next, I bet dollars to donuts that instead of bringing in a Cowher, Gruden, or Fisher, that the Eagles will just make Morningweg the head coach. This is the way they do these types of things. This is now my biggest concern about the team.— gelang
- I'd love to have the paper bag concession outside Stinkin' Financial Field for the next home game.— rhawnhurster
- Fire Andy Now— MyFirstCommentEveronThisSite
