What they're saying about the Eagles: Week 13
Here are all the good things everyone is saying about the Eagles this week.
What they're saying about the Eagles: Week 13
Andrew O'Brien, Philly.com Sports Contributor
These are the talking points surrounding the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles as they move into top-five draft pick territory:
From the Philly media:
Why isn’t there any sympathy for Andy Reid, CSNPhilly.com’s John Gonzalez asks:
“Nothing lasts forever. The end had to come eventually for Reid. But who could have imagined it going down like this? Who could have anticipated that he would not only get kicked while he’s down but also stomped flat? He makes a healthy salary. He’s a professional. But, at the moment, is there anyone in sports whom you’d rather be less than Andy Reid?”
Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy remain out for Sunday’s game, but Jason Avant will be back.
Reuben Frank says the Eagles should bench their entire secondary:
“The Eagles are in uncharted waters when it comes to pass coverage. Five weeks in a row now, a quarterback has done this against the Eagles: Complete at least 64 percent of his passes, throw two or more touchdowns, throw zero interceptions and pass for 200 yards. Five weeks in a row now, a quarterback has had a passer rating of 120 or higher against the Eagles. Only one other NFL team in history – the 1984 Vikings – can claim those nightmarish accomplishments.”
The Eagles must deal with their character issues, Eagles 24/7’s Tim McManus writes.
DeSean Jackson is just the latest Eagle to suffer a season-ending injury.
In this week’s Eagles Film Study, CSNPhilly.com Eagles Insider Ray Didinger writes that Bryce Brown showed both his potential (178 rushing yards) and inexperience (two lost fumbles) in Monday night’s loss to Carolina.
Coaching buzz concerning Jon Gruden and Bill O’Brien.
Evan Mathis could see his first career start at center against the Cowboys.
Found: An Eagle with a pulse.
Brent Celek says opposing teams are probably laughing at the Eagles. Probably?
Here are some unhappy Eagles fans.
From the national media:
The Eagles should let Reid finish out the season, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio writes:
“Is there anyone on the current staff who deserves a crack at coaching the team if Reid is relieved of his duties? The Eagles haven’t won a game since Todd Bowles became defensive coordinator. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is tied too closely to Reid. That leaves special-teams coordinator Bobby April.”
Peter King says Todd Bowles has no chance of becoming a head coach in 2013:
“Todd Bowles has assassinated his chances to be a head coach in 2013. His players haven't helped, and that's putting it mildly. But the Eagles have allowed 32 points a game in Bowles' four games orchestrating the D.”
The financing and subsequent collapse of the “Dream Team” has taught the Eagles plenty of lessons about the dangers of building through older free agents, ESPN’s John Clayton writes:
“If there is a lesson to be learned, it's that gambling that much money on 30-year-old players is risky. Older players have a shorter window to win. Andy Reid made a miscalculation by putting three older starters with first-time defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, who had moved over from the offensive line.”
Troy Vincent is offended by the Eagles’ effort in recent weeks, as he told USA Today’s Jim Corbett:
“‘I'm offended,’ said the Trenton, N.J. native and the league's VP of Player Engagement. ‘I'm a former player, but I'm passionate about the Green. I want to see the franchise do well.
‘I see it from afar. I see a lack of leadership when you see things happening on the sideline. It's a want, a will, a desire. You have to hold each other accountable in the locker room.’”
Rick Reilly profiled long-snapper Jon Dorenbos, probably because interviewing a sports figure with a big contract who hasn’t produced anything of worth in years like Andy Reid would have hit a little too close to home.
Whenever he returns to the field, Michael Vick will reportedly wear something known as “The Dome” under his helmet in an attempt to prevent further head injuries.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano thinks Tony Romo could have a big game against the Eagles.
Graziano also says that history is not on Nick Foles’ side.
From the Cowboys:
The Eagles are obviously rebuilding, but they still have some weapons, writes the Star-Telegram’s Carlos Mendez, the most generous person in the world.
Miles Austin, who left the Cowboys’ Thanksgiving loss with a hip and back injury, should play Sunday night.
Morris Claiborne blames himself for his bad game against the Eagles in Week 10. Claiborne was penalized five times and allowed a touchdown pass in the Cowboys’ win.
DeMarco Murray practiced Wednesday and is questionable. Orlando Scandrick, however, is out for the remainder of the regular season.
The Cowboys didn’t claim Jason Babin off waivers because it would have been too perfect a fit.
This article from Blogging The Boys has a great picture of Jerry Jones wearing sunglasses and some quotes from his son, Stephen Jones.
On Jason Babin:
Babin laughed when Andy Reid called to tell him that he was being released.
From Boopstats: Babin had 61 tackles and 18 sacks through his first 14 games last season. Since then? 34 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 13 games.
And Babin was claimed on waivers by Jacksonville Wednesday afternoon. No word on if Reid laughed.
Guess who’s upset by Babin’s release?
Power Rankings:
Here's how low the Eagles are ranked this week:
Philly.com - 29
ESPN - 30
Sports Illustrated - 29
Pro Football Talk - 30
CBS Sports - 28
FOX Sports - 30
Yahoo! Sports - 30
Who cares what somebody else thinks.....the team sucks, the talent level is below par (with the possible exception of 8 players) the coach and asst coaches are history and are garbage, the GM is an accountant for heavens sake so we will get no real football knowledge out of that slot or any real players in the draft....and the owner is afraid to speak and has no courage or plan.....so nothing else needs to be said and all outsiders (media, plastic heads etc) can jsut shut up....— nuggett- Reid must go, but why the continued silence of the even worse imbecile Amaro? Clueless Rube's strikeout rate rate in 4 years is about 90%, as his deals and contracts have been disasters about 90% of the time -- worse than an empty suit, he seems like a deliberate plant to destroy the franchise...makes Andy Reid look like a genius by comparison— warbiscuit
- Reid must go, but why the continued media silence about the even worse imbecile Amaro? Clueless Rube's strikeout rate rate in 4 years is about 90%, as his deals and contracts have been disasters about 90% of the time ... worse than an empty suit, he seems like a deliberate plant to destroy the franchise...makes Andy Reid look like a genius by comparison— warbiscuit
- What's wrong with CBS Sports? This is Foles 2nd time against Dallas, he cashes in.— 2ndNlong
- reid will come back to haunt the birds he is good football people— tin can
- Tin can...he has been a good coach...just is not any longer. Like with Vermeil, it took him a shorter time to burn out...but he finally recognized it. AR just has not recognized it...and there are things happening that put his team as a whole and his players, singularly at risk. Yes he may come back to haunt us....but right now, he is not doing the things a good coach can do.— 5thstrretpast
- great post, 5thstrr— 1000hugs
- This reminds me of when we sucked year after year and all we hoped for was a win over the Cowboys.
I hope we win this week. I don't care about moving up on position in a draft.
Just beat Dallas.— 1000hugs - why didn't run a quarterback sneak with 4 inches to go in the carolina game— popoplouie
- HIRE JAWS FIRST! Give him the keys! If you think Ron Jaworksi for VP of Football Operations is a good idea you can show your support on facebook at the HIREJAWSFIRST page. He's qualified, connected, and would be motivated to bring home the Super Bowl trophy after all of these years. Stop by the facebook page and give it a like. Thanks!— bentlip
- Teams get hit by a ton of bad luck and injuries, and the big topic is who is to blame. Human nature demands that there be a reason, when sometimes its nothing more than good or BAD luck. Sure in this particular case the bad luck is backed up with lots of poor management issues, but even had the Eagles managed to have done everything perfectly, injuries, especially to the O line, would still have completely trashed this season. So in a way, the Birds have lost nothing on their own this season.
But there is a bright side. The universal law of balance says that should the Eagles bring in an exceptional new coaching staff that is headed by, let's say, a Kelly or Shaw, luck should drastically reverse course and send the Birds flying toward the Super Bowl--BALANCE! , terrible, beautiful balance.— Cactusjim - No coach with half a brain would throw this much with all the injuries on the Oline. Your QB is getting hit 10-12 times a game and you keep throwing. He did it even when McCoy was healthy.
Take any elite QB- Rogers, Manning, Brady, Brees and if they got hit 10-12 times a game, they'd be on IR as well. Belichick would never let Brady get hit like that.
Reid has used a predictable offense for so long, we all know when the shovel pass is coming.
Andy did lift the quality of play and deserves credit for that but clearly Reid does not have the ability to win a big game. His coaching skils are very overrated.
— Fan74 - Areed Fan74. Fact is Andy lost every big game he coached! He made it to all those NFC championships because of his assistants and core heart players that were left over from Modrak and Rhodes. Once it became "his" team, we all see where we're at. But basically it comes down to "game day" coaching which wins or looses big games and he's gotten outcoached every time. His in game management and play calling is the worst ever. It has shown year after year. Great coaches now how to counter another teams strengths just enough to win. But Andy isn't capable of that and now that his talent evaluation and poor drafting has finally caught up with. Good by Andy, it's been a LONG 14 years. Now go spend time with your family!!!— kchaz
