Angry. Frustrated. Incredulous.
Enough is enough. If you’re an Eagles fan, you feel all this and more.
The season was billed by the organization as “we’re all in” and “Super Bowl or bust” after making a big splash in free agency. So, as the Eagles sit at 3-6, someone must be blamed for this inexplicable start.
Sadly, it all points to coach Andy Reid.
His Stubbornness and Failure To Change
Running back LeSean McCoy is at or near the top in every rushing statistic, including second in yards and touchdowns.
The guy is widely considered the second-best running back in the league behind only Adrian Peterson.
Yet, McCoy got 14 carries in Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals and 16 carries the week before in a loss to the Bears.
In the Eagles’ three wins this season, McCoy ran the ball 73 total times, averaging more than 24 carries per game. In the Eagles’ six losses, McCoy ran the ball 92 times, averaging only 15 carries per game.
It’s Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg who are responsible for getting McCoy the ball and when it doesn’t happen, the Eagles tend to lose.
The Eagles have already blown five fourth-quarter leads. They are on pace to shatter the NFL record of six, yet Reid continues to call pass plays instead of keeping the clock running by pounding the rock.
But this has been happening for 13 seasons. Andy Reid runs a pass-happy offense and refuses to change his philosophy.
Former starting RB Brian Westbrook rarely got more than 20 carries when he was the team’s star back.
In order to be successful in any sport, you have to adapt to your team’s strength’s and this team’s strength is clearly running the football.
I don’t think I’m alone in saying the Eagles season might be different if McCoy had gotten 20-plus carries per game.
Personal Decisions
Let’s start with the facts.
Juan Castillo had been the Eagles offensive line coach since 1998. He hadn’t coached defense since 1989…at Kingsville High School.
That’s the guy Andy Reid hired to run his defense in a year when they were “all in.” Is that logical?
Probably not.
The lockout, which took away mini camps, forced Castillo to teach his defense on the fly.
Philadelphia traded for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and signed Nnamdi Asomugha, two outside press cornerbacks who excel in man-to-man coverage.
Rodgers-Cromartie has played in the slot but has struggled mightily while Asomugha has played too much zone coverage and has been exposed.
Last week, Asomugha matched up with one of the best receivers in the NFL in Larry Fitzgerald. Asomugha was on Fitzgerald on 20-of-46 pass plays.
On those 20 plays, Fitz was targeted just two times, both incompletions. That’s the definition of being shutdown, and that’s why the Eagles spent $60 million to get Asomugha this summer.
On the other 26 pass plays, Fitzgerald had seven receptions for 146 yards.
Explain to me why rookie safety Jaiquawn Jarrett was matched up against the veteran receiver on third-and-10 with the game on the line late in the fourth quarter and the Eagles nursing a three-point lead?
Of course Fitzgerald burned the rookie for a diving 37-yard catch at the Eagles’ one yard line, setting up Arizona’s game winning score.
Castillo’s job is to put players in position to be successful and he did anything but that by putting the rookie in that spot. It’s been going on all season. Asomugha is not Charles Woodson. He can’t play three different roles. He can do one and do it better than nearly anyone in the game. Let him do it.
Ultimately, this lands on Reid’s shoulders for hiring Castillo.
The Act Is Old
In 13 seasons, Andy Reid has won a lot games. He turned a downtrodden franchise into a consistent winner and contender, and for that, the fans are grateful.
He is the franchise’s leader in career wins, winning percentage and playoff wins.
Among active coaches with 100 games under their belt, Reid’s winning percentage is second to Bill Belichick. He’s won six NFC East division titles in his 13 seasons and has guided the Eagles to five NFC championship games, winning one.
But Reid may be best remembered for failing to bring Philadelphia a Super Bowl. No matter how unfair that is, he has not delivered the most important trophy of all. His ultimate goal has not been accomplished and there is no reason to think that will change.
Clearly, Reid is one of the most accomplished coaches in NFL history. But unfortunately in sports, there comes a time when a new face is needed to shake up the culture and makeup of the team.
That time is now.
