Birds Beat by Giants, Refs, and Play Calling

The Eagles couldn't have had a better start against the Giants, picking off an Eli Manning pass and turning the opportunity into an early 7-0 lead. They certainly could have had a better finish.

After taking that quick lead on a nice touchdown run by DeSean Jackson, the Eagles looked awful during the next quarter or so and allowed 17 unanswered points. The Birds certainly weren't helped by the referees or even their own coaching, as commenters here were calling for Reid's job before the game was even over.

This is certainly one frustrating team. From Donovan's inconsistency and his inability to put together a clutch drive under duress to Andy's decision to call two running plays on third and fourth and short with the game on the line.

Seriously, I think Eagles fans were all in agreement with John Madden's statement that the Eagles tried the same exact thing in Chicago and it failed then. The Eagles are not a running team and it showed Sunday night against the Giants. Brian Westbrook had one of his quietest games in an Eagles uniform,  yet Big Red calls two running plays in an absolute must get situation.

It's frustrating because this team looks pretty good at times but they simply fail when it comes trying to put together a complete game.

Would firing Andy Reid fix their problems? I'm not so sure. But you won't know unless it happens.

Comments

[slowski]

if they fire andy and start the rebuild process now, atleast they have the cover of phillies world championship going for them.

waiting till they finish with a .500 or worse record and doesnt sound like much fun.

im also ready for kolb to start to learn how to run the offense in real gametime situations. it would benifit the team next yr immensely if they started the process now.

[Jonn]

Is Andy still the man for this team? Cause each week I keep scratching my head with the play calling. Does he know we're not a "pound the ball up the gut" type of running team? Those last two plays of ours were ridiculous. Play calling beats us.

[timm]

i have never watched an eagles team that has been hurt so much by bad coaching. i think they have the talent to be good, but each week the coaching lets them down. 2 games this year are a direct result of coaching, chicago and last night.

I also think it is time Jim Johnson stops getting a free ride as great def coach. he above average at this point in his career. anymore the defense starts games slow, and has a hard time adjusting later in games (don't point out good defensive efforts against bad team).

[john]

This team was exposed for what they are, a MEDIOCRE football team. 2007 season's hubris: we don't need a punt returner. 2008 season's hubris: we don't need a fullback. Same story, same results. This team is pathetic. The last time we had a pass rush was 2004. I am personally rooting for them to lose evry single game from here on out as it might force them to finally take some first round talent. The Eagles beat the bad teams but always lose to the good teams. Akers kickoffs are short as shit too. I hate this team.

[philb]

Anybody think Spagnulo(sp)would think about coming back to Philly as a head coach? The Reid era needs to end already. It's the same excuses every week...

[Thomas Dzomba]

I agree with Jonn. I think Jim Johnson's run as Def Coordinator needs to end. When you know that you need to key on the run to beat the Giants, and you can't do it, that's trouble.

It's really scary that this is a .500 team since the Super Bowl appearance. I think there is a lot of talent on this team, but some of the decisions are inexplicable.

By the way, whatever happened to Lorenzo Booker?

[agam22]

I will not call Andy Reid a bad coach. His ability as a talent evaluator and to coach his time Monday through Saturday have made him maybe the best coach in team history. That said, there may not be a worse in game coach in football. The play calling was indefensible(did anyone see the look of disbelief on Spagnolo's face after the 4th and 1 call?) and the first "desperation challenge" was terrible. Look what happened, they still scored, and we still came back and could have sorely used the timeout. I'm saying fire the man, lets see how the rest of the season goes because this team can play better and Reid has earned at least that much. But if this team goes 0-6, 1-5 or maybe even 2-4 in the division it has to be considered, the division is too good for any complacency. I hate to say it because I remember how miserable this team was for a long time before Reid and McNabb and I have always defended them both, but [erhaps it is time to move on if they continue to lose to a team with any sort of talent because they're being outcoached.

[agam22]

I meant I'm not saying fire the man

[john]

Missing in Action: Chris Clemons, Lorenzo Booker, Reggie Brown

[PhillyPSU]

Paraphrasing Madden:
At this point in the game, Donovan's the guy you want to have the ball.

Next play: Donovan almost throws a pick.

Donovan's choking, Reid's playcalling, and Reid's clock management, and Reid's questionable personnel decisions are the perfect storm to kill an otherwise decent team.

And yet, I can't muster the fury I used to because we're "WORLD $%#@$ CHAMPIONS!!"

[Chamomiles Davis]

I can't wait to hear how Eskin defends his boy this afternoon. We'll know he's given up on Andy Reid for good when he starts rooting for the Cowboys again.

[John]

The Chris Clemons signing was a waste of money, the Lorenzo Booker trade was a waste of a pick, the Tony Hunt cut was a waste of a pick, etc. etc. This team is garbage. We drafted SEAN CONSIDINE ahead of BRANDON JACOBS.

[zfg]

Brandon Jacobs is only doing well because of how good the Giants' offensive line is at run blocking. Ours? Not so much.

Reid definitely deserves the heat for wasting 2 time outs and calling those retarded run plays, but the defense deserves most of the blame of this one.

[PatD]

One question I have after last night, is who is calling the plays?
Is Morninweg screwing up or is it Reid? Do we need a better offensive coordinator, or can we just take the playcalling duties out of Reid's hands entirely?

I still think Reid is a great talent evaluator ... but losing faith in his ability to run a team. We've nearly wasted the careers of Dawkins, McNabb, Runyan, and maybe even Westbrook.

[SHough610]

How long has Andy Reid handled all of the GM duties? Because I wonder if he could focus on coaching he might not be better.

I mentioned in a previous post: Reid might not be suited for the NFL as it is today. Our teams of the last ten years have been built on speed. That was great when we were trying to beat the Rams, but now we need power.

I feel like the NFL has sort of passed Andy Reid by. Most NFL teams are platooning running backs, we're still relying on Westbrook. Honestly, if we had a Marion Barber, Brandon Jacobs, or LenDale White (players we COULD have drafted) Westbrook would be healthier and able to be more versatile.

On the other hand, who do we get? I don't think that Cowher is that great of a coach and there's no one out there that really wows me.

[Ron]

You can't set up the run with the pass. The league is littered with teams that have tried it and failed. The game is about ball control and dominating at the line of scrimmage. Our team was dominated last night because of the flawed philosophy of our head coach.

Our defense was on the field for 40 minutes last night... And our quarterback had the nerve to be winded after a seven yard run, so we couldn't get a play in before the two minute warning.

I've been calling for Andy's dismissal for two years now, but I think it's time for 5 to go as well. After ten years, I think I've seen enough.

[John]

This team is full of soft losers. Jim Johnson's much vaunted defense isn't anything special, the Jim Johnson defense is "blitz on 3rd down" that's all it ever was, not sure why it's been so heralded. McNabb is soft and can't get it done in crunch time. Reid is a bonehead. This team needs TALENT. I'm sorry, but when you have guys like G-Lew STILL on the team there is something wrong. I'd rather lose with a young, growing team than a stale, old, soft team. Reid, Johnson, McNabb, Akers, G-Lew, Booker, Clemons, Dawkins, should all be gone next year

[Jay]

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi1FC9jteWQ

[Ron]

@Jay

It really never gets old!!!

[theKrisheim]

out coached
out played
out manned

[Pop Pop Glasses]

Been saying it for a few lackluster seasons now, Reid and his coaching staff have to be replaced. Even made a hypothetical comment before last nights game stating that it would either a dumb play at the wrong time or mis-managed clock time because that is how it has become under Reid. When a novice like me to the world of NFL coaching can start predicting what Andy will do, it's time for a whole new set of coaches because I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

[ryan]

Firing Andy Reid would fix nothing. The season has been a disappointment, but replacing Reid would only set us back. Who is the better option at Head Coach for Philly, and if a better option DID exist, how long would it take before we saw returns on a coaching change.

[John]

I say we offer the head coaching job to Spags after the season. It is time for a change. I'm sick of it, it is the same thing week in and week out.

[zfg]

I think a new head coach could pay dividends pretty quickly; it's not like this team lacks talent. Might be nice to have somebody in there who would bring a change of attitude. The season was basically on the line last night -- it would have been nice to see the team play like they knew that.

[Ron]

@ryan
What are you holding on to? The Andy Reid era is over.

I agree with SHough610 it is a power running NFC East again and we're not built to succeed in it.

It's shocking to me that anyone could defend Andy Reid at this point in the game. Since the Super Bowl we are 29-28. Mediocre, at best. In games decided by a touchdown or less, or when coaching decisions win or lose games, we are 1-10.

Andy may indeed be the winningest coach in franchise history, but let's not kid ourselves, we haven't one a title in 48 years. The franchise's history is actually pretty awful.

Andy Must Go!

[Ron]

sorry "won" a title.

[Gaze]

I'd be willing to take a step backwards if it meant we'd take 2 steps forward.

They need to play the season out with what they have, then blow it up in the offseason. McNabb's trade value is arguably half decent. Perhaps as much as a second rounder. New coach, new QB, and some decent draft picks and money udner the cap would be a nice starting point looking forward to 2011+

[RyanAbrams77]

This team is painful to watch. I'm tired of seeing opportunities slip away every drive. I'm tired of watching a team loaded with talent stick dogmatically to game-plans from 2001. It's sad but true: the game has passed Andy and Jim by.

I said this after the loss to New Orleans in the divisional round in 2006, and nothing has changed since then. Some new faces, but same old game plan (except this time, we actually GOT the big 4th quarter stop we needed only to watch them piss it away with awful "bet they wont see two runs coming!!!" play calls). I'd say we've reached the point where the players no longer buy into the philosophy. When that happens, the team will lose every big game.

I have defended Andy for a long time, but the time to seriously consider a change is upon us.

[Billy]

@ john

Agreed, being in the NFC Beast division with no direction (coaching) we stand next to no chance at getting the wildcard. Draft, draft, draft...

ABANDON SHIP!!

[Mike]

Our line is just flat without Andrews. But even when he did play, Herremans is mediocre - did Andy forget that we drafted him as a tackle? Damn Andy and his always thinking "you can just plug in guys" at Wide Receiver, Linebacker, D-Line, Fullback, and now apparently O-Line. And why is it that on the espn.com depth chart, there are only three guys listed at D-tackle? Why are they trying to play Darren Howard - at 6'3", 260 lbs - in a position which requires guys to weigh at least in the highest of the 200s, lower 200s? No wonder they're getting pushed around. Jesus we have three pure D-tackles and a bunch of pure pass-blockers. No wonder we lose close games.

Oh well. When this sort of thing happens, from now on, I'm just going to go watch clips of Myers vs. Sabathia or videos of World Series riots. That always cheers me up.

[Andy]

@Ron (and the dozen callers I've heard whine about clock management on WIP today):

The Eagles fucked up a thousand things last night, but the two minute warning wasn't one of them. There is absolutely no benefit to running that third down play before the two minute warning. Two minutes is plenty of time to take the ball 57 yards in a hurry up offense, and with only one timeout, there was no real hope of getting another possession. The only thing those 11 seconds could have had a significant impact on is how much time the Giants would have had left should the Eagles have taken the lead. I know we're all traumatized by Jacksonville (I was there, and it stings to this day) but last night simply wasn't the same thing. What happened after the two minute warning is a completely different story in a night full of stories of Reid's idiocy, but letting those seconds tick off, giving the entire offensive unit a chance to catch its breath and (theoretically) the brain trust more time to devise a surefire way to pick up not just those three yards but another big chunk of yardage with them, didn't hurt the Eagles one bit. And this is coming from someone who's changing his job title from "Philadelphia Sports Examiner" to "Fire Andy Reid Examiner," so trust me, I'm no Big Red Moron apologist.

[MG]

Blaming the refs in this game is weak and yeah the play-calling was poor on both sides of the ball but the reality is this - the Giants played old-fashioned football last night and just took it too the Eagles. Lining up in a power I-formation and running strong side between the tackles for 6-7 yards a pop. Like watching the Giants under Parcells 20 years ago with O.J. Anderson with Carthon and Bavaro clearing th way.

[Gaze]

@Andy

I think the 2 minute warning concerns aren't so much about "why they didn't run a play" but mroe about "how in the world is Donovan huffing and puffing with 2 minutes left in the game while trying to lead a go ahead drive?!?!"

At the very least, shouldn't adrenaline be kicking in to keep you moving? As a professional athlete, there is no excuse for appearing out of shape. I didn't see a single offensive player for the Giants sucking wind and they were on the field A LOT more than the Eagles were.

[i can't stand joe morgan]

is it baseball season yet? no?
wake me up in march then...

[Chris]

Why the hell have we not signed Najeh Davenport?

[Rick Sangano]

I guess it's time for the "We have to be better prepared" reasoning again. I don't think that a coach can be a GM at the same time and vice versa. It's like trying to be chef and matre' d. Two different entities and most likely Andy'd have a difficult time being those two roles in a restaurant setting also,most likely eating up the profits.

[Andy]

@Gaze:
I didn't see donovan appearing out of shape. I saw him a little bit short of breath after scrambling two plays in a row and hurrying to the line before that. Huffing and puffing is an exaggeration if you go back and watch what NBC showed. I'm sure there are plenty of shots you could find of linemen looking tired, even when they never had to hurry, and it isn't uncommon at all for a QB to suck wind a little bit during breaks in a hurry up offense. It's Jacksonville Syndrome if your issue is Donovan's conditioning. It had literally no effect on the game last night, unless the unspoken truth is that they ran on third and fourth and 1 because Donovan just couldn't muster up the energy to throw another pass.

[PhiPhan5648]

Donovan McNabb is still the best Quarterback in the Depth Chart, in Eagles Franchise History, and possibly, more than likely in the NFC EAST. I'm sick and tired of hearing people bitch about D-Nabb's inability to be a clutch player, and how he blows the game consistently. That's complete and utter bullshit.

D-Nabb has looked better passing the ball this year, than he has since the SuperBowl Year. This is also taking into account the fact that his offensive line opens like a "French whore" on each set of downs at least once. The O-Line can't block for dick. That doesn't help him at all.

Next you have to look at the play calling. The Eagles Pass the Ball 4 times for every 1 rush. That's way too one dimensional for a team in the NFC East, and in today's NFL in general. But when you look at how poor the O-Line is, and the fact that we don't have a fucking Fullback, you can see why we pass so much. Would you really want to run Westbrook 20-30 times a game with this blocking scheme?

So when you assholes bitch about D-Nabb all the time, and want to see Kolb play, I just ignore your opinions. Kevin Kolb isn't a scrambling Quarterback. He's a Pocket Passer, and with this O-Line you'd never get to see him actually get into a pocket. D-Nabb can at least scramble for a few yards on occasion, to keep the game alive.

Let's not also forget the fact that during the off season, D-Nabb asked for more weapons on the Offensive side of the ball, ala Number One Wide Out. Hell, every Eagles fan with half a brain knew that we needed a Number One. What do the Eagles give us? Desean Jackson, who will one day be a Number One Wide Out, I have no doubt. But that's a solution for a few years down the road, not now. DJ wasn't the answer the Birds Needed at the time.

So the Eagles Offensive Team consists of a group of Number Two, and Number Three Wide Receivers… an Offensive Line that can’t block anything… a Defensive Tackle playing Fullback, who again can’t block dick… an amazing Quarterback who has consistently been attacked for the poor play calling of his coach… an amazing Runningback who doesn’t have any consistent help from anyone on the team, anywhere… and three Tightends who might as well be eating pieces of orange on the sidelines, rather than playing in the NFL.

Let’s look at our Defensive Team now, shall we? You have some half-decent D-Tackles, who don’t get help from their friends behind… A group of Linebackers who are fast, and supposedly better at defending the Tightends, but can’t passrush, can’t stop the run, and can’t defend the Tightends… A Freesafety who’s sadly past his prime… A good backup Strong Safety starting, with a joke of a Strong Safety backing him up… and probably the best collective group of Cornerbacks in the league.

So what do we have? A few standouts here and there, but a lot of piss poor players, that drag down the Talent. That is a matter of coaching, and there’s plenty of that on this Eagles Team. I say we look for a new Coaching Staff, but hang onto a few keys. You cannot drop D-Nabb without seeing him play for a coach, who makes good playcalls. You owe him enough to see if that makes a difference.

So stop playing the same fucking card of “Blame Donovan”, that almost every fucking piece of shit, dumbass wannabe, know-nothing, so-called fan plays, after every Eagles Loss.

Thanks.

[Ron]

thx Gaze.
That's precisely what I'm saying. There's no excuse for his poor conditioning. He should be able to run seven yards in the two minute drill and get a play off before the two minute warning. Michaels called attention to it and even compared it to the Super Bowl...
Andy's poor coaching performance speaks for itself.

[Ron]

@ PhiPhan5648
why you gotta call names?
donovan is a symptom, and not the problem.

[zfg]

While I don't agree with everything PhiPhan said, or his use of capitalization, I think he's got a good point about McNabb. You really can't pin this one on him (at least not more than you can pin it on literally anybody else). I would think most quarterbacks would not be able to put up numbers like he did against a good defense with no running game whatsoever. Beyond that, a good team shouldn't be putting their players in situations where they have to be "clutch" in every important game. Finally, if he is out of breath before the 2 minute warning, not running a play is still on the coaching staff. Think about it, you're going to run the ball anyway in that situation, so all you have to do is line up and hand it off. I seriously doubt that "quarterback fatigue" would have been a factor there if Cowher, Bellichick or even Coughlin were standing on the sideline.

[PhiPhan5648]

@zfg and Ron

Sorry for the poor capitalization, and the use of excesive language. I just get sick and tired of people, bitching about D-Nabb not being enough to win games by himself.

[HLH]

Isn't Mcnabb allowed to audible out of plays?? He always says how he would do things different when we lose the game....Here's an idea DO IT DIFFERENTLY AND CALL AN AUDIBLE! I think he has been in the league long enough that if he thinks he would do better passing the ball or keeping it himself he can just do it!

[Andy]

@Ron

Since when is Al Michaels an authority on anything other than belief in miracles? It wasn't like Jacksonville. Running another play before the two minute warning would've been unnecessary and in fact a pretty bad move, strategically, especially if you have any confidence at all that you're gonna score. The issue here wasn't McNabb, be it his conditioning or anything else related to him, other than the fact that he didn't audible out of the sweep the second time around. This one is clearly all on Reid, specifically his play calling. I am okay with blaming the 200+ rushing yards they gave up on Donovan, though. I didn't see him tackle Brandon Jacobs once.

[PhiPhan5648]

@Andy

You're right dude... D-Nabb didn't tackle Jacobs once last night. He is to blame for it isn't he.

Although, I don't really remember anyone else on the Eagles D tackling Brandon Jacobs either.

[Andy]

@Phiphan:

You realized I was being completely sarcastic right? Just my way of saying perhaps the run defense was culpable last night also.

[PhiPhan5648]

@Andy

Of course dude, I was being sarcastic too.

LOL!

[EricstAngelo]

@ Andy
Read my mind with the Al Michaels comment.
I love how people really think that commentators are any kind of authority on anything but how to properly lube your throat for a broadcast.
These guys (especially Michaels) fly around doing so many different sports, they don't have the time to be an expert at sleeping.
Harry's the best in the business, but I wouldn't want him managing my Phils.
Or would I?
And by the way, it was kind of an important 3rd down, and these guys can't get a play in to Don on first down after a change of possession sometimes. You really want them rushing a play in and trying to get it off in 15 seconds?

[EricStAngelo]

And always remember, no matter what he says,
DON IS NOT ALLOWED TO AUDIBLE.
I don't care what they say.
You run the play that Andy calls, and don't ask questions.
That's why Donovan looks so defeated after losses. He's done with fatboy too.
I've been there, I know that face.

[Vince]

The defense has been pretty good for the most part for this year so Jim Johnson should be safe. Andy and Marty on the other hand should not. They are really wasting a lot of talent. Its nice see that it only took andy a few years to start running a fade to hank (who is 6-4). So cheer up guys, maybe in another few years Andy will realize that maybe his time management needs just a little work haha. by the way, why did LJ start. Andy is really sending a great message to his young players: step up when someone gets hurt, if you do well, go grab some bench.