HOW SECURE IS ANDY REID’S JOB?
Double Jeopardy Category: Rhetorical Quotes for $1000
“We consider ourselves the gold standard of the league”
“I’m confident in the guys we have”
“We have the best roster in the league”
“It starts with me. I have to do a better job of putting players in position to make plays”
What is THINGS SAID BY THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES!!
Gold Standard usually leads to a trophy from Tiffany’s. The coach was confident in James Thrash, Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell as the wide receivers.
The best roster doesn’t give up 27 passing touchdowns and get spanked 58-14 in a two week span by a division rival. I’m sorry sir, but you’ve been struggling to put players in the best position for 12 years now.
Listening to propaganda has never been one of my strong points. Mr. G. Cobb himself has said on numerous occasions to watch what the Eagles do, not what they say.
This thought process takes me back to December 9, 2009. This is the day the Eagles announced that Andy Reid signed a 3 year extension to remain their head coach.
The timing of this announcement couldn’t have been more perfect. There were rumors about Reid’s extension early in the season, but after the Eagles lost to the lowly Raiders 13-9 October 13 it was quietly swept under the rug.
When Reid was extended, the Eagles had just come off a 34-7 win over the Falcons in Atlanta which was third straight win. Michael Vick scored his first TD of the season, so it looked like Reid’s devotion to the Wildcat paid off.
The Eagles were also preparing for a game in the Meadowlands against the NY Giants (whom they defeated 40-17 earlier in the season). Things were looking good in South Philly because the Birds were poised to win another NFC East title and possibly a bye week in the playoffs.
During the press conference for Reid’s extension, owner Jeff Lurie talked about the importance of stability in the organization. Things haven’t looked to stable since the beginning of 2010.
We all know what happened two consecutive January weekends in Dallas. After the Cowboys ended their rival’s season in embarrassing fashion, there has been a shift in power at the NovaCare complex.
Regardless of the recent extension and what has been said publicly, I believe Reid may be in danger of losing his job soon. Here are some reasons why Reid’s position as the Eagles’ head coach might be in jeopardy.
A Change at General Manager
1 of 4For five years Tom Heckert held the title as the Eagles GM. While he had the position, most people probably didn’t know he existed. You didn’t hear much from him except during the drafts.
That’s because Reid has been the executive VP of football operations since 2001, giving him the final say.
In January Heckert accepted the GM position with the Cleveland Browns. Three weeks later, Howie Roseman was promoted to the position in Philly. Roseman has spent ten years moving up the ladder under the tutelage of Eagles VP Joe Banner.
Shortly after, rumors circulated that there was an internal feud regarding QB Donovan McNabb. Banner and Roseman wanted McNabb traded while Reid insisted he stayed.
Although Reid publicly stated McNabb was his guy and he still had final say on those decisions, No. 5 was ultimately traded to the Redskins Easter evening. I refuse to believe that move was Reid’s preference.
The Quarterback Situation
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If it were up to Reid, Donovan McNabb would still be an Eagle. If it were up to owner Jeff Lurie, McNabb would’ve been traded after the 2008 season.
The latter would’ve happened if the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t lose their season finales. Reaching the playoffs and ultimately the NFC Championship game changed everything.
If Lurie had his wish, two things would’ve occurred. Kevin Kolb would have had a year under his belt already as the Eagles starter and McNabb would’ve have been here to persuade the signing of Michael Vick.
Instead, you have a starting caliber player backing up a guy the organization invested a lot of time and money in. After Sunday’s loss to Green Bay, the ‘Tale of Two Halves’ has the city split between who should start the rest of the season.
Kolb suffered a concussion, but before his injury his stats were horrible. Reid stated Kolb will remain the starter, but I think deep inside he would prefer Vick.
Vick has the athletic ability and improvisation skills like McNabb had. Those are the same attributes that helped cover up Reid’s flaws when it came to game time decisions and adjustments for 11 years.
I think Lurie, Banner and Roseman have taken the business approach. Vick is gone after this season, Lurie will probably be sure of that. They probably approached Reid and said something like “You had Kolb drafted here and touted him as our QB of the future. He has one year left on his contract. You need to prove you can be productive with him at the helm”.
Lurie Detests Negative Publicity
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Unlike Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Jeffrey Lurie prefers to stay out of the spotlight. He appears to be an entrepreneur who likes to sit back and let his company work for him.
Outside of the State of the Eagles addresses and championship celebrations, if Lurie has to speak publicly it’s usually not good.
When he spoke about Vick’s signing, Lurie was obviously not excited about the deal. Lurie also didn’t have too many kind words when Lito Sheppard voiced his opinion about his contract.
How do you think Lurie feels about the national spotlight the Eagles have attracted regarding concussions? Yes the Eagles may have followed protocol but with the awareness placed on NFL players and their brains, the only option should’ve been to sit Kolb and Stewart Bradley down immediately.
Doctors are questioning the Eagles procedures. The NFLPA isn’t finished investigating. I’m sure the Birds will hear from Commissioner Roger Goodell soon.
Lurie has to be upset at this public black eye. Unfortunately, the ultimate person responsible on the sideline is head coach.
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Overall
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Despite the problems with play calling, time management, game time adjustments and roster moves Reid has managed to keep his team competitive for the majority of his tenure.
The Eagles organization also has a solid foundation that has created a strong front for the fans and media. Changing the face of the franchise and a major decision maker has already affected that foundation.
If that foundation shift starts to show signs of crumbling, the first person to go is usually the head coach. The only way Reid can avoid this is to show this team is competitive WITH Kolb on the field.
We shall soon see if he can accomplish that.
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