Red Zone Issues Spoil Birds In San Diego

The Eagles dropped an ugly but wild one out west today, which had Donovan McNabb attempt 55 passes for 450 yards and nearly rally the team from a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately it was too little, too late for a club that failed to convert touchdowns on three trips to the red zone, including a first down from the 1 yard line.

Occasionally the calls coming from the sideline can be defended. That often was not the case today, beginning with Andy Reid's decision not to attempt 4th and goal from the 1 yard line. It's an almost automatic spot to go, given that failure to convert pins the other team in their own end zone anyway. Particularly down 14 already, it seemed like a peculiar place to take 3 points.

Their subsequent two trips to the red zone resulted in field goals as well, the second of which saw Reid abandon the running game on a key 3rd and 1 play. In fact, Philly backs carried the ball just 12 times the entire afternoon, and although the passing game was very productive, it doesn't make things any easier when the head coach goes into his shell like that.

Having said all of that, by the end the defense had an opportunity to stop the Chargers, and for the second week in a row, they failed to give their offense a meaningful chance with the football. A lot can be said for a poorly coached game costing them, but this unit that hasn't made it count when it matters most.

It's not entirely their fault. Injuries certainly have something to do with it. Chris Gocong was ineffective at middle linebacker today, and Moise Fokou could develop into an excellent player, but he makes too many mistakes and draws too many penalties. Sheldon Brown was also injured, which put career special teamer Dimitri Patterson in an even bigger role than expected.

And then there is Asante Samuel. When he is on, it's always a major risk throwing to his side of the field, but he costs them in so many other ways. Today it was a completely wide open 20-yard TD pass to match his general unwillingness to tackle. It ultimately wound up killing any chance they may have had on 3rd and 2 with 2:45 to play, when he "slipped" rather than try to keep Legedu Naanee from making it to the sticks.

It's not a terrible loss in the grand scheme of things. The Eagles slip to 5-4 in an NFC filled with 5-4 teams. The fact that it's another loss out of conference gives them a bit of an advantage over the rest of the group. Still, there are a lot of reasons for concern after the last two weeks. The penalties aren't going away, short yardage is suddenly an issue again, and now it's obvious their red zone problems haven't gone away. Add it all up with all the injuries, it doesn't appear things are moving in the right direction.

But it's too soon to quit on them, whatever you may be thinking after this one.

Comments

[bizurk]

The short ydage situations will (rightly) get a lot of attention this week. So will the penalties and Asante's disappearing act. Lost in the mix will be the end-around reverse call in the 1st quarter which effectively killed that drive, and the Mike Vick play (which 10 actually had a decent shot at) which effectively killed the next drive. This team is as maddening as ever with their slow starts, but donating two possessions to SDG early is on AR. Realistically, they can afford two more losses....... any more and no playoffs.

[sean]

I blame this loss on Andy or Marty. If Joe Banner does not want to get rid of Andy, then make a move for an o-coordinator who will run the ball and force Andy's hand

[Johnny Nas]

I agree with not giving up. This team was in bad shape last year but made it to the NFC title game. That being said Andy Reid is still making the same blunders he always has, therefore this team will most likely end up the same place they always do. Not a superbowl Champion.

Andy Reid era must go

[Steve]

The most frustrating thing is it is so clearly Andy Reids fault and its also painfully obvious that Reid will get an extension and be here pretty much as long as he wants. Awesome.

[Creighton Rabs]

Not to add insult to injury, but:

Al Golden has more wins this season (8) than Andy Reid (5).

Al Golden is the head football coach at Temple, and yes, they are 8-2 after two early season losses to Villanova and Penn State.

If you want to see real football at the Linc this month, Temple hosts Kent State on Saturday at 1 pm, then travel to Ohio University on the 27th. If Temple wins out, they will play for the Mid-American Conference title and a possible bowl berth.

[Creighton Rabs]

What does it tell you about Philadelphia when Temple - long the laughing stock of Division I-A - has more wins (8) than the Iggles (5)?

Temple's next game is Saturday at the Linc against Kent State, kickoff is 1 pm. Then, the Owls travel to Ohio University for a Nov. 27 showdown to determine the Mid-American Conference East Division title.

If the Owls win out, they will play in the MAC championship game December 4 in Detroit.

If (when) Andy Reid gets the boot, maybe Al Golden's name could pop up as a dark-horse candidate...

[That guy]

bizurk: Desean should have caught the pass from Vick. It wasn't a perfect throw, but 90% of Mcnabb's aren't either. It was in his hands.

[Boo]

Time to get rid of Andy... his teams are marked by dumb penalties (how many offsides were called on us today?) and poor clock management. Time to change it up.

And while you're at it, get rid of McNabb too...he's the Eagles' Eric Lindros

[dc]

The league should mandate that teams have to withhold a player for at least 3 games following a concussion...

In other news, how about that run defense!?

[Ryan]

Dude, no one gives a shit about Temple football and Al Golden coaches in the MAC, nuff said.

[Ryan]

Dude, no one gives a shit about Temple football and Al Golden coaches in the MAC, nuff said.

[will.H]

a lot of talk about the offensive woes, which were disappointing, but under the radar goes another poor defensive performance. ive stopped watching the other teams offense once the play starts, i stare at the confused linebackers/blitzing secondary. young defenses just cant execute the blitz. its like making rookies in baseball constantly execute a squeeze.

i admit im a reid excuse maker, but the man has to stop saying "we need to do a better job of that," and start DOING A BETTER JOB OF THAT.

[who cares?]

the temple owls are 8-2.

[rich]

Forget the bad loss, what's the word on Westbrook? One concussion was a red flag, but two raises questions for his future, in and away from the game. Here's to 36 being ok, he's done plenty to lift this team and city.

[Liam]

Lets stop talking about Temple. Its a great story, but lets be serious they play in a weak conference and the eagles (or any nfl team for that matter) would never take a coach from that level to be their head coach.

I really want Marty gone though, his playcalling sucks, and is extremely predictable. Unfortunately I don't see Andy firing him anytime soon, so I guess I'll have to try to just get used to this

[will.H]

also it seems like the birds arent trying to win, rather just not trying to lose. does anyone else get that feeling every sunday?

[Eamonn]

Keep McNabb, lose Andy and Mike Vick. And if this team ran the ball, they might be good.

[asd]

Birds were doing well when McNabb was going no huddle and had control of the playcalling, what does that tell you?

The bad playcalling, clock management, penalties... it's all coaching.

I was a big andy reid/mcnabb supporter, still am a mcnabb supporter, but at this point reid as to go. We will never go all the way with him. He's a good coach, but that's it, he can win a bunch, but his seasons are marked with bad decisions and what if's. He just doesnt have enough as a coach to get it done.

But he can draft well, keep a franchise winning without having down years, good with personnel, etc.

They can get away with 'firing' him, by 'promoting' him within the organization, let him do the shit he's good at, and bring in a good coach and good offensive coordinator. Someone that knows offense. The Eagles coaching position would be the most glamorous and highest chance of winning with the team and talent they have in place.

It would tempt the likes of Gruden and even Cower. I would love to see what McNabb could do not under Andy's thumb.

[Joe]

I wish I could say we get a playcaller and keep Andy around as GM, but he wouldn't want to do that. Some hapless franchise (Browns/Raiders/Chiefs/Seahawks) will throw a wad of cash in his face and he'll bolt out of here.

Well, at his heft, maybe not bolt. How about breathlessly slog out of here?

[h3bry]

Same shit, different day...

[BigMiles]

I understand if people are upset at Reid, but you cannot pin this on Donovan at all. He made no big miscues and ran the offense unbelievably well. The real problem was the 1st and goal (obviously) and the unbelievably brutal penalties that cost us yardage all day. Somebody needs to get their ass kicked for the terrible penalties, I cannot handle it.

[dcs]

And while you're at it, get rid of McNabb too...he's the Eagles' Eric Lindros

Best comment ever.

[Jason R.]

Was at the game. I haven't been to a game since I came out here for college. Watching McNabb play in person is like willing yourself to cut off your own arm with a pocket knife. I don't know how you season ticketholders are still doing it!

A few notes from someone who saw no replays and heard no commentary:

1. Bullshit late hit on Fukou, no one in the stadium saw it, it took us all by surprise. Bullshit block in the back on the first punt, I watched him run down the field, Eagle turned him, they got tangled, ref anticipated.

2. Double reverse? In the NFL in 2009? Really? That's your first quarter wrinkle?

3. DeSean ABSOLUTELY should have caught that ball from Vick, I thought he was gone

4. Not going for it on 4th from the 6 inch line? I was in the 15th row looking down the 4 yardline and it was 8 inches max. Does Andy know that FGs are only worth three points? "How does 3 points help you when you're down 14 on the road with 6:40 to go in the first half," I asked some random Chargers fans sitting next to me. He shrugged cause he didn't know either.

5. McNabb sacking himself sums up this whole day. Drunken charger fan behind me leans over two rows to tap my shoulder and yell in my ear "McNabb's a pussy!!" I corrected, "McNabb is not a pussy, he's an idiot; know the difference you dumbass, know-nothing, bandwagon 'fan'"

6. Didn't know Sheldon got hurt, but Dimetri Patterson(?) was a waste of space.

7. Way to keep the playmakers off the field and give Buckley and Harris a chance to return the last kickoff, wtf? This team needs a spark and with Hobbs out you pretend like DeSean isn't on your team or has never returned kicks? Wtf?

Billick, Cowher, and Gruden (all Super Bowl CHAMPION coaches) are unemployed and know how to run the damn ball.

/just sayin

[guenth]

this game was shit, plain and simple

[who cares?]

Gruden wants to implement a hybrid spread offense that will involve heavy doses of passing.

/just sayin'

[Phils Phan]

Who the hell gave Belichick Andy Reid's cell phone?

[Francis]

@ Phils Phan

My thoughts exactly regarding the Sunday Night Game.

[Jason R.]

@ who cares?

Clearly I'd rather Cowher or Billick, but it's getting to the point where any change would seem like a good change, sad to say.

[Drew]

Westbrook is close to done at this point. Two concussions is bad news bears no matter how you slice it. I know this is a wild idea, but what do you think about Eagles going on a limb and picking up Larry Johnson for support?

[FrontRanger]

Drew,

All the interest groups already hate them b/c of Vick. Maybe PETA and the gay rights groups can carpool to the Linc. :)

I didn't even notice this until I read it in Les Bowen's column, but did you all notice that Eldra Buckley's goal line run (which I thought was in) was never replayed on TV. It's almost like last week's spots against Dallas were a source of embarrassment.

[bizurk]

I thought the non-replay of Buckley's run was indeed a little curious. Let's hope AR's spirit has permanently left Philly for Belichek's team (a drive-starting time out?!?!? ludicrous game management seemingly designed to hand the game over? classic AR moves).

Big fat NO on LJ to the birds. He's a lifetime turd with no gas in the tank.

[Spoony G]

"The most frustrating thing is it is so clearly Andy Reids fault and its also painfully obvious that Reid will get an extension and be here pretty much as long as he wants. Awesome."

Too painfully true. The word that came to mind yesterday, whenever Andy appeared on the screen, was "befuddled".

And lost in all of this was the fact that McNabb threw AT LEAST 2 more balls, if not 3-4, that should've been picked. He was by no means any kind of hero yesterday.

He IS the Eric Lindross of the Eagles . . . good quote, whoever said it.

He puts up great numbers, but his actual play is far from great.

Hell if I know where all of this leaves us. Mediocrity for a while, I suppose . . . not quite rebuilding, yet not quite competing.

[Tom]

Did anyone else watch the end of the Colts game? That's what a real QB is capable of. The Eagles never, ever pull it together to come from behind. I don't even want them to tease fans by winning another game just to get our hopes up for the inevitable big choke...losing out might force change.

[John]

This team is a mediocre sack of trash. 36 is finished. Sheldon Brown is done. The team as a whole can't tackle. I'm done. I'll be rooting for them to lose, by blow out, for the rest of the year.

[steve]

when is the NFL going to MANDATE the use of the new concussion-prrof helmets that are widely used in highschool nowadays? it just doesnt make sense, and you never hear about it. after 36 had the FIRST one, he should have gotten the helmet then. theres no financial issue with these guys as the helmets are prcey but cmon! he has plenty of money to buy 3 helmets per game for the rest of his life!

[ces12]

another coaching blunder not being talked about here is being down 19 points, scoring a touchdown and not going for the 2 point conversion. Being down 13 or 12 points isnt nearly as good as being down 11.

When is Andy Reid going to learn that 2 point conversions, going for it on 4th down and time outs actually matter?

It's time for Andy to go. It's time to reload with Kolb, Jackson, Maclin and McCoy.

[ces12]

another coaching blunder not being talked about here is being down 19 points, scoring a touchdown and not going for the 2 point conversion. Being down 13 or 12 points isnt nearly as good as being down 11.

When is Andy Reid going to learn that 2 point conversions, going for it on 4th down and time outs actually matter?

It's time for Andy to go. It's time to reload with Kolb, Jackson, Maclin and McCoy.

[zfg]

While it isn't pleasant, I can't say it's unexpected. Rivers is a very good QB, and Gates might be the most dangerous tight end in the NFL. Match those two up against Gocong at MLB and Fokou and well... I never thought I'd miss Akeem Jordan as much as I do.

[bigmyc]

Hey, has this been suggested(said)?;

Fire Andy and trade Mcnabb.

That would really solve the problems. It really would. If it didn't, it definitely couldn't get too much worse. It seems like the Eagles are winning games when they do despite Andy and Donovan.

There's talent there...let's quit holding it back.

[Bob]

Brillant analysis by some people: Lets blame McNabb who had to throw until his arm almost fell off and threw the ball for 450 yards. Sorry he throw 2-3 passes that "should of been picked" out of 898 attempts yesterday.

I get frustrated with Mcnabb, but he is a damn good QB and best for this team. I loved how he ran the no-huddle.

I also defend Reid, but he was terrible yesterday. I knew not having that extra timeout was gonna bite us in the ass. I still have faith in him. He is the head coach right now, so deal with it.

You want some blame.....HOW THE BOUT THE DEFENSE. Because we all (including me) loved Brian Dawkins and Jim Johnson (RIP), they have gotten a free pass for years. THat is the THIRD game this season when they couldnt get off the field and give the offense a real chance to win the game. Just like the Arizona NFC title game, just like the Rams NFC title game, just like the Bucs NFC title game and yes SUPERBOWL 39 when they gave up 17 2nd half points. They get torched in big spots. I love them, love the style and think they are very good. But they deserve blame for the problems too, not just the quarterback and head coach.

THIS IS A TEAM GAME, TEAM.

[john]

1-9-1 in last 11 games decided by 7 pts or less..and that one was jeff garcia in the 06 playoff win vs the giants..so mcnabb hasnt won a close game since 2005..did anyone realy believe he was going to do it yesterday?

[zfg]

Yeah, and McNabb has a terrible record in games where the defense gives up 30 points or more too. What a clown!

[will.H]

somehow, after one of the most disgusting all around performances by a team/coaching staff in years, we were 30 yards from a potential tying TD, conversion. Maybe this is what Banner considers "the gold standard."

loving the birds is like loving hepatitis, no matter how much you hate them, they'll always be with us.

[Tom]

1-9-1 says it all in games decided by 7 points or less. I don't blame the defense as much because I watched Indy give up 34 points and Peyton stayed composed to lead to TD ending drives in the last 4 minutes, again while spotting the Patriots 34 points...to me that is the gold standard, not blaming the defense when you weren't able to punch it in given three early attempts in the red-zone and then not being able to mount a winning come back that other teams are able to do.