It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. How Andy Reid Has Quickly Lost Control Of His Team
Did anyone see the 1963 classic "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World?" Over a dozen people lost their minds throughout the hilarious movie on their quest for a $350,000 treasure buried beneath a "Big W" in Santa Rosita.
After watching the past 24 hours of what head coach Andy Reid has done to his team, I'm convinced he has become as crazy as those cast of characters blindly seeking a treasure. Except, Andy Reid isn't seeking money, he's seeking a Super Bowl, and also vindication for trading perennial All-Pro quarterback Donovan McNabb.
For all we know, Andy Reid will prove us all that he's a genius with Michael Vick taking the Eagles to the promised land. But a far more likely scenario is that Reid has just damaged (possibly permanently) the growth of a quarterback in Kolb, who not one day prior, was the teams' franchise quarterback. And for what? Because Michael Vick had six good quarters against the Packers who let their guard down and the Lions, who might have the worst secondary in the NFL?
The questions regarding how Andy Reid handled this situation are almost too many to count. Let's take a stab at a few.
Why On Earth Would You Switch Your Loyalty Within 24 Hours?
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For a coach who has relatively good success in his career, you really want to give Andy Reid the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he is doing. But I have never seen a coach declare his loyalty for one quarterback, only to have a complete reversal less than a day later.
It makes you wonder if the Eagles ownership vetoed Andy Reid. It's the only plausible and sane explanation for what Reid is doing here. Not only has he just mentally screwed with BOTH his quarterbacks, the entire team is undoubtedly questioning who now is their leader.
What If Vick Struggles?
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Michael Vick had a very good game against the Detroit Lions, not to mention a strong second half against the Packers. But let's be real here. The Packers didn't plan for Vick, and also had a 17 point lead in the 4th quarter and let their guard down. And the Detroit Lions are the same team that is now 2-32 in their last 34 games. Namely, they're not exactly world beaters and certainly don't offer the stiffest competition.
While the Eagles play against the struggling Jaguars this week, EVERY one of their remaining 13 games are against teams that could potentially make the playoffs. What if Michael Vick struggles and has a 14-37 game with three interceptions? How is Andy Reid going to tell Eagle fans then that Kevin Kolb was the best quarterback to begin with?
I Thought Andy Reid Didn't Bench Players Due To Injury
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Andy Reid has a long history of not replacing players due to injury. So why would he choose now to have a change of heart on that position? Reid spent months trying to convince his fans, his team and the media that he groomed Kevin Kolb to replace Donovan McNabb. Though after two quarters and a concussion after a brutal hit from Clay Matthews Jr., he apparently isn't the future anymore. Which leads to another question.
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Did Andy Reid Lie To Us About Kolb's Ability The Whole Time?
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If Andy Reid is so willing to bench the "franchise" quarterback he was so sure would perfectly lead his west coast offense, one has to question if he has spent almost a year trying to dupe everyone. Perhaps Kolb never was the quarterback he hoped for and was simply looking for an excuse to put him on the bench. So if Kolb isn't the future, this leads to yet another question.
How Dpes He Feel About Donovon McNabb Now?
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It seemed like for several years, the Eagles and their fans were trying to find a reason to get rid of Donovan McNabb. Whether it was replacing him with Kolb in a game against the Ravens, the drafting of Kolb to begin with while McNabb was in his prime, and the overall lack of love Mcnabb received, it seemed everyone just wanted him to leave.
Well now McNabb is with a team that truly appreciates he and his talents in Washington. And while the Eagles are now enduring one of the uglier quarterback controversies in recent memory, the Redskins are enjoying something they haven't enjoyed at that position in years...stability.
So now whenever Michael Vick throws an errant pass, and fans scream to put Kolb back as starter, the division rival Redskins will have nothing of the sort. Think Andy Reid and the Eagles are still enjoying their decision?
What Will The Future Hold For The Eagles?
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Sometimes, when people are second guessed in sports, they end up looking like an absolute genius. However to me, for Andy Reid, even in a best case scenario he will end up looking like an idiot. Michael Vick could win every game and lead this team to a Super Bowl, but people will then ask why he wasn't the starter to begin with. In addition to that, people will question why Reid would flip flop on his quarterbacks in a 24 hours span.
And that's the best case scenario!
The more likely scenario is now Andy Reid has created an environment that either quarterback will be viewed with a microscope. If Vick struggles, what will Reid do then? Certainly people will then say Kevin Kolb should have never lost his job and should get it back.
And then what if Kolb continues to struggle like he did when he played against the Packers? Should Vick go back in then? How long then will it take until the fans turn on Reid and the Eagles for trading McNabb in the first place?
Andy Reid could have made this situation a lot easier if he would have had the guts to make a decision and stand by it. However his indecisiveness has put his quarterbacks, his team and their entire season at risk of blowing up in their faces.
It's a mad mad mad mad world indeed!
.jpg?w=480 "49ers Eagles Football")
.jpg?w=480 "49ers Eagles Football")
