Like the rest of you, I'm absolutely disgusted of the play of the Eagles in their Wild Card Playoff Loss to the Cowboys Saturday. However, I'll spare you most of the gory details. Over the span of the last two weeks, the Birds got whupped by Dallas for eight straight quarters on both sides of the ball. It didn't seem like a single player came to play in either game. It was just a brutal display of football. At this point, the question becomes, where do we go from here.
Now, if I was in the shoes of Jeffrey Lurie/Joe Banner, I would march into Andy Reid's office and demand the following:
(1) if Reid wants to keep McNabb, I would demand that this only be allowed if he agrees to change the offensive philosophy so that the running game is emphasized more and the proper personnel to effectively run the ball is acquired;
(2) Since we know Reid will never agree to change his philosophy, I would demand that D Mac be traded. Clearly, all parties involved need a change a scenery. Plus, I really think Kolb can play and may be a better fit for what Reid wants to do on offense;
(3) fire Sean McDermott and bring in a new defensive coordinator who will bring in a whole new philosophy which uses bigger, stronger players. The Jim Johnson defense needs to go. To me, it is a smoke and mirrors defense predicated on making plays based upon surprise instead of the talent on the field. Quite frankly, the JJ defense hasn't worked since all the guys brought in by Ray Rhodes (Hugh, Trotter, Vincent, Taylor, and Dawkins) left or got old. Sure, the G Men won the Super Bowl with Johnson's scheme, but they had primo players in their front seven who could get pressure on the QB when a blitz wasn't called. Too many times in playoff defeats over recent years, our defense got out witted by opposing offensive coordinators who were overly familiar with our schemes. Rarely, did anyone on our defense step up and just make a play by out talenting the guy across from him. Plus, it always seem like our undersized front seven gets worn down by the end of the year. Clearly, if we want to see a return to the Super Bowl, a change in personnel and philosophy is needed....which leads me to;
(4) whomever was in favor of drafting busts like Victor Abiamiri, Matt McCoy, Trevor Laws, Jerome McDougal, etc should be fired now. Then bring in someone who knows how to identify talent on the defensive side of the ball. This team has drafted terribly on the defensive side of the ball during Reid's tenure. I would say that they have only really identified a couple above average starters (Simon, Cole, Sheldon, Lito, Bunkley and Bradley). Six guys in 11 years is pathetic. Since defense will be such a theme of next year's draft, I sure hope brings in a consultant in a hurry.
OK, I've laid out my plans. What says you guys?
4 comments:
Big T- as a Giants fan looking in from the outside, my thoughts are this - if the Eagles are to make it to the Superbowl, much less win it, Reid needs to leave (not happening) and cNabb needs to move on (not happening).
Redi is simply a substandard coach. For 11 years it is "My fault, I am responsible, I need to fix this, I am stepping up" - but nothing changes. If he is not held accountable, nothing changes.
There is an arrogance among some of the Eagles that will constantly thwart their ability to improve - when Spagnuolo left to go to the Giants, a couple of players were quoted as saying "we have never been known for our linebackers, don't think we will miss him" - he turned out to be a decent coodrinator, no? Maybe the organisation needs to take an honest, brutal look at itself, instead of telling everyone how good they are, and actually one season show it.
Talk is cheap - the Giants can't seem to figure it out, and it's a shame the Eagles are following them down the same path.
I can go on for ages, and likely will, but thought I should state the obvious. I believe Tom Coughlin is one of the worst football coaches to win a Championship, but when something doesn't work, he generally changes it - as we saw with our former Defensive Coordinator.
This isn't an "eagles Suck" rant or a "Giants are Great" rant - frankly, both teams are marquee organisations for the league, with tremendous history and fan support. It's a disgrace to see either organisation end up where they are by making similiar, arrogant, boneheaded mistakes. My 2 cents (USD, not CAD).
GWN
I agree. Weird picture though.
I say wipe the slate clean and start over - Reid and McNabb out. What's the worst thing that can happen? I'd almost prefer they not make the playoffs over getting their asses handed to them like that. Disgusting.
Remember in this day and age of the NFL things change pretty quickly. Just as our "friend" Great White Jack Ass. GMen win a fixed Superbowl three years ago and haven't sniffed a playoff win since.
The Boys were laid a "disgusting beating" 12 months ago to be eliminated from the playoffs by the Birds so things do change quickly. Ask the Steelers.
I'll move McNabb if you get some serious value, but i'm not giving him away. Favre and Warner are both getting it done at an advanced age, so why not #5.
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