Time for Andy Reid To Feel the Heat

I will hold him responsible for the one-dimension offense that this team has become. In the regular and postseason, the Eagles have become a team that, if you stay in the game long enough, will hand it to you. Why? Because they don't melt away the clock by running the ball, you cannot win in today's NFL when you ratio is 65/35 in favor of the pass. 

Closing the Deal: 2004-Present

Andy Reid has survived the Vet, its 700 Level, and three major injuries to McNabb and Terrell Owens. Now is the time for him to cement his legacy here; not too many coaches hang around in one place this long and leave empty handed.

Reid has maybe the game's most versatile player in Westbrook, a healthy McNabb, and a decent receiving corps at best. As much as we want a big-time receiver here again, I believe that we as fans fail to realize that the thing we want most will hurt us in the end. Because he'll never run the ball like he should.

So here is what I recommend:

1. Keep Your Foot on the Gas: The first drive of yesterday's game was run like a championship team—flawless. Something we haven't seen in awhile, there was a mixture of runs and passes, and the 'Skins defense was left guessing until their backs were to the wall.

But for some reason, the offense eased up and let the 'Skins back in the game and never got the lead back. Sometimes a touchdown can be just as demoralizing as a turnover. Pedal to the metal!

2. Get Exotic: Nothing says you have to be down 10 points to run a trick play.

3. Play Big: Utilize the biggest offensive line in football. Enough of this "a short pass is just as good as a run." You have speed and power in the backfield. In short yardage (e.g. goal-line) situations, slide Dan Kleco back there (although he didn't help much on Sunday).

Oddly enough, he's the most experienced fullback that you have. What happened to the fade pass McNabb and Hank Baskett worked on all through training camp (what has happened to Hank Baskett?). The Eagles have over 900 scripted plays. Andy, you're collecting plays like they're football cards; throw a wrinkle in there!

4. DeSean Jackson: Rarely does a team have two players that can score anytime they touch the ball. In Brian Westbrook and DeSean Jackson, the Eagles have two. Jackson has shown what he can do as a receiver; now it's time to move him around the field just to cause confusion. 

Jackson doesn't have to be the primary target. If he's lined up in the backfield or anywhere the defense isn't used to, it will cause confusion. Even if the defense calls a timeout and you remove him, it was successful.

Whatever Reid chooses to do needs to be different than what we've seen the past two weeks. These Eagles are closer to the team that lost to the Cowboys than the one that lost on yesterday. And yes, the defense has their issues, but everyone knows that the offense is what makes this team go. The heat is on Andy.

Welcome to Philadelphia.

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