Rethinking Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid

Since the tragic news of his son’s passing hit the press this past Sunday, it seems like the Philadelphia sports world has revolved around Andy Reid.

This time, Philly sports outlets aren’t criticizing Reid for his shortcomings, errant play calling, poor clock management, or unavailability to the local media. Instead, the critics are silent out of respect.

The past few days have given Philadelphia Eagles fans time to put aside their judgment of Andy Reid as a head football coach, and express their most sincere sympathies for him as a man. This says something about one of the nation’s, let alone football’s, most infamous fanbases, who have relentlessly called for Reid’s head over the last few years.

For Eagles fans, what has come of this?

For one thing, fans are starting to appreciate the success and relevance that Reid has brought to the Eagles franchise since his tenure began in 1999. Let’s reflect on his achievements.

Andy Reid is one of the most winning coaches in recent history. His regular season record is 126-81-1. In the postseason, Reid is 10-9. Furthermore, Reid has won the NFC East six times, although only once in the last five seasons, and he has been to the playoffs nine times. All things considered, that means something.

Has this most unfortunate turn of events in Reid’s personal life brought out a sympathy in the Eagles fan base that has caused it to reconsider the value of a coach that they may have underappreciated? Is it fair to say that if the Eagles are unsuccessful this year, Andy still needs to go? Or, could we chalk up another year without a Super Bowl to his grief, and give him a pass?

These are hard questions to answer at a time when remaining objective seems impossible. How can one criticize a man who is going through what Andy Reid is?

Moreover, Reid has been a players’ coach and a professional since day one. Even when Terrell Owens was destroying his team, Reid never took a cheap shot at him.

Andy Reid even goes as far as taking the heat for his players’ mistakes in the media. For that, the guys in that locker room would probably follow him into hell.

Now, I’d hate to subscribe to the idea that intangibles such as loyalty and the desire to win for the coach could have an impact on a team’s season. But, maybe this is an exception. Then again, maybe I’m being too sentimental about it.

At the end of the day, putting his shortcomings aside, Andy Reid has doubtlessly been a head football coach of the highest caliber. So was Bill Cowher. Remember when it took him until his 14^th season to win the big one?

Personally, I have not been Andy Reid’s biggest fan. However, over the past few days, I have been reflecting on those great Eagle teams that never went all the way, and I remember being comfortable with Andy Reid calling the shots.

Who was to blame all of those years when the Eagles almost made it all the way, McNabb or Reid?

Regardless, it’s fair to say that if Reid were to get fired today, he’d have a job in the NFL tomorrow.

All that being said, Andy Reid has proven himself to be a tremendous football coach who has earned the respect of his peers (evidenced by their appearance at his son’s funeral), and still deserves some faith from the Eagles fanbase.

Moving forward, I realize that Reid has gambled a few too many times during games. He has fallen short so many times, and he has left me in the fires of playoff hell just about every year since my early adolescence. But, he has proven that he has what it takes to get there.

With all this in mind, if Reid takes the Eagles all the way, I’ll probably say “It’s about time!"

If Andy Reid and the Eagles don’t win it all this year, I’ll probably say “What else is new?”

Nonetheless, Eagles fans don’t have a choice about who is running their team. But, Andy Reid isn’t the worst option.