Andy Reid: Philadelphia Eagles Coach on Hot Seat After Owner's Comments

Andy Reid isn't on the hot seat. 

OK, let me rephrase that. Andy Reid shouldn't be on the hot seat, but according to Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, the head coach entering his 14th year in Philly should at least be sweating a little bit (via philly.com):

"

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie made his annual state of the team address Thursday afternoon, prior to the team’s exhibition finale against the New York Jets, and said that another 8-8 season would not be enough to save 14-year head coach Andy Reid.

“No, it would not,” Lurie said.

He added -- several times -- that a repeat of the team’s 8-8 finish from 2011 would not be acceptable.

"

Ouch. Not so brotherly or lovey, is he? 

I realize Philadelphia is a storied franchise, and success is measured a little differently there. I realize this is a business. I realize the Eagles brought in a ridiculous amount of supposedly top talent last offseason and should have no trouble winning games. I realize 2011 was a major disappointment.

But two straight 8-8 seasons is enough to give Reid the boot?

Maybe for a five- or six-year guy who has had mixed results, sure, but not for Reid.

The 54-year-old's Eagles career got started off on the wrong foot with a 5-11 season, and he has mixed in a 6-10 year and two 8-8 seasons, but in each of Reid's other nine campaigns, the team has won at least nine games and made the playoffs.

They have made it to the NFC Championship five times and to the Super Bowl once. Reid was named the Sporting News Coach of the Year in 2000 and the AP Coach of the Year in 2002. 

Successful doesn't even begin to describe Reid's 136-90-1 record (.609 winning percentage) in Philadelphia.

Yet, he's getting blamed for a freaking 8-8 season. He's getting blamed for Michael Vick's inability to stay healthy. He's getting blamed—while he should be getting anointed—for Vince Young leading the team to a 1-2 record in three starts. 

Should Reid's team have done more in 2011?

Probably, but not all of the blame should rest on his shoulders. He's proven in past that he can lead talented teams to successful seasons, so there were clearly other factors last year. 

The Eagles' expectations are once again sky-high in 2012. They may be avoiding the "Dream Team" label, but they won four in a row to close out 2011, most of the main pieces are back and healthy, DeSean Jackson is paid and finally a happy camper, and a capable backup QB—although he's a rookie—is in town. 

Things are looking up in Philly, and an 8-8 season would undoubtedly be a huge letdown.

But enough of a letdown to completely push aside Reid's accomplishments from the last 13 years?

Not quite. 

Follow @t_keen