NFL - Sports Rumors

Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:23 am EDT

Even at 2-2, Eagles in better shape than last year

By Joe Zedalis

Andy Reid

Getty Images

It was a horrible loss, a missed opportunity, a combination of bad play calling by the coaching staff and even worse execution by the players.And now it's over, but the Philadelphia Eagles' season isn't.

You can analyze the 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears from now until the Eagles line up again Sunday to play the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field, and a lot of people will.

"Obviously, we are disappointed by the game," coach Andy Reid said at the start of his day-after news conference Monday. "We didn't perform the way we need to on the offensive side, which is my responsibility."

The good news is there are a lot of reasons to be encouraged by this 2-2 Eagles team, which is at the bottom of the NFC East one quarter of the way through the season.

First of all, the Eagles are in much better shape than they were a year ago. The 2007 Eagles were 1-3 after a 16-3 loss to the New York Giants, and that result was more about getting thoroughly beaten than beating themselves, as they did at Soldier Field on Sunday night. Second, this Eagles team is far more talented than the one Reid had a year ago.

Finally, this team has an immediate opportunity to erase the memory of Sunday's miserable loss with a victory over a division rival that just knocked off the Cowboys in Dallas.

After four games last year, the Eagles were truly lost on offense. Throw away the fluke game against the Detroit Lions, who defended with the ferocity of the Cowardly Lion, and the Eagles had scored just one touchdown while facing Green Bay, Washington and the Giants.

Source: Philly.comNew Window

digg delicious
more

62 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. jp-boy
    1. Posted by jp-boy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:46 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    It doesn't matter that the team is better or we should have beaten the Bears. The fact is that the team does not come through with wins when they need to. Andy Reid should be fired because he has lost more close games, of under 4 points, than any other coach EVER. We need a coach who will win those games. The Eagles have peaked under his coaching. I appreciate all he has done but he has peaked and is on the way down now. We need to move on and find another coach even if that means a few crap years...
  2. PhillyAreaRealtor
    2. Posted by PhillyAreaRealtor Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Andy,
    I want the 3.5 hrs back I watched you continue your horrible play calling. Get your head out of your @ss....its been 10 years of the same stupid mistakes. Will you ever learn?
    GO PHILLIES!
  3. Zman
    3. Posted by Zman Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I totally agree with jp. Andy has taken the Eagles as far as he is capable of taking them. Week after week, He fails to see the importance of adjustments on the offensive side of the ball. Sunday was a prime example. Instead of mapping out a game plan that addresses the strengths of Buckhalter, Hunt, etc. he goes into the game believing that those guys will play like Westbrook. So he uses the same plays that Westbrook would have run if he were in the game.
    He has taken the Eagles as far as he is capable of taking them. What we need is a strong offensive coordinator and a new head coach. Andy needs to move up the management ladder and take a position in the front office.
  4. Anthony C
    4. Posted by Anthony C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:33 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    wow number 1....just wow
  5. COZ
    5. Posted by COZ Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    2-3 after this weekend courtesy of the resurgent Washington Redskins....
    Scalp the Beagles....
  6. bensoon43
    6. Posted by bensoon43 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:05 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    That's ridiculous!! Big Red is the best coach in Eagles' history...period. With our offensive line, you mean to tell me that it's Andy's fault we couldn't punch it in 3 times from the one yard line? Come on people. It was poor execution by the offense, simple as that. Stupid mistakes by the players are what lost this game, not the coaches. You all can say what you want about Andy but mark my words, when he leaves the Eagles we'll all be wishing that he never did. The same goes for McNabb...I assume you all are McNabb haters as well.
  7. skinsrboss/gigi
    7. Posted by skinsrboss/gigi Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:32 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Resurgent, I LIKE that word. HAIL!
  8. davfied
    8. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Morning gigi,
    They will be 2-3 after the Skins game. This morning ESPN ranked Redskins #6 in the NFL.
  9. El Becko
    9. Posted by El Becko Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Only a matter of time before the Skins fans come crashing back to Earth. Nice job beating the Cowgirls but reality is just around the corner. How does Jason Campbell like his turf? Regular or extra crispy?
  10. DrOrb
    10. Posted by DrOrb Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:02 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    There's no doubt the Iggles will win some more games, maybe even posting a 9-7 record. Also, there's no doubt that Westbrook is the one and only game-breaker on the squad. Time to rebuild the O-line.
  11. Time Served
    11. Posted by Time Served Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Andy, That loss is all on U!! We were better than that Bears team, and it shouldnt have been close.. With that said, our same flaws continue to plague us - The Red Zone Offense - What do you need to be successful in the red zone? A big, physical receiver, and a power, short yardage back.. We have neither of those (never have, minus 2 years with T.O. and when Duce was here).. It shows time & time again.. Why not have a short yardage tailback? But i digress... Since we dont have these two things, Andy, why not just put the ball in #5's hands and let him make a play, bail us out like he's had to do for 10 years!!! Only way to get this taste out, is to take it to Washington's *ss out there on Sunday...
  12. Ryan C.
    12. Posted by Ryan C. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Westbrook, get better soon. You are a vital cog in the phily offense, and can do just about anything on offense. Be careful and make sure you are 100% ready, so you can have another good season.
    I'm a redskin fan and I approve this message!
  13. Zman
    13. Posted by Zman Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    bensoon43, Andy Reid may be the best or one of the best coaches the Eagles have ever had but he is not the coach that they need now and in the future. Yes, he has taken the Eagles forward since the Ray Rhodes era and has won 75 games under McNabb in the last 10 years but has reached his peak level. He refuses to keep his fingers out of playcalling and it shows with one of the most predictable offenses in the league. He doesn't adjust his game plans to take injuries into consideration and doesn't know the strengths and weaknesses of his players.
    A great coach turns losses into wins and a bad coach turns wins into losses. Where do you think Andy fits in?
  14. William B
    14. Posted by William B Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:46 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Eagle fans, don't read into that victory over Dallas. The rivalry remains just that, a rivalry. It's been the same way for the better part of 40 years...whether the teams are worlds apart record and/or talen t wise....And to the moron who (Adam) who said "this is 2008, not 1989" just doesn't understand the dynamics of these NFC rivalries. Step back for a moment and think, anyone in here (accepot for the out-of-touch Foreskins fans) really think that the Redskins are better than Dallas? How 'bout 1995 when the Redskins swept Dallas during the regular season yet Dallas went on to win its 5th Super Bowl that year...Well its the same situation this yeart...I think that the only team in the NFC East that can match Dallas is the Eagles...The Redskins???? Get real..
  15. Jermaine H
    15. Posted by Jermaine H Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:27 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    andy reid fits no where. yes hes a good coach, but you rught his play calling is below standards. he sould let the other staff do the calling or the quarter back do it or somethen. just like in the superbowl. with 5 minutes left in the game he seem clueless to what to do. i feel we should of won that game, if any eagles fans out there feel me. what he do, slow calling plays, not even thinking going a no huddle, but we,ll we ever step up to win the games and big ones? like the bears game last week. totally crazy how it with down. come eagles live up to yall God giving talents.
  16. Nicholas P
    16. Posted by Nicholas P Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:41 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I'm so tired the Eagles beating themselves these past 2 years. This coming Sunday I want nothing less than a fire in their eyes and blood on the field. I hope Skins fans haven't warmed up too much to Campbell, because he's leaving this game on a stretcher.
  17. yaris
    17. Posted by yaris Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:02 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Sometimes all of us go to work sick or hurt, we are proffesionals. Shouldn't Mcnabb be a professional as well and sneak it in for a win. If he gets hurt then it wasn' meant to be are year
  18. Da REAL Joe Cool
    18. Posted by Da REAL Joe Cool Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:38 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Eaglets keep on dreamin!!!
  19. Mario W
    19. Posted by Mario W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Yes, Andy makes mistakes, yes McNabb makes mistakes, and yes we all want to win and last of all we should have beat the Cowboys and the Bears, but thats NFL football some win some lose. Did they play hard? Sometimes the opposition is just a little more prepared. STOP THROWING MY TEAM UNDER THE BUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  20. Mario W
    20. Posted by Mario W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    People forget about the eagles injury prone team. imagine for just 1 season a injury free eagles team. every year we lose key players. but yet the back -ups usually play good, but they are back-ups. maybe we can end the season with a healthy eagles team and everyone i promise will be very happy except the cowgirl fans
  21. Wes W
    21. Posted by Wes W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:58 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Its too late...
    Cowboys, Giants, Redskins
    Eagles don't stand a chance
  22. Mario W
    22. Posted by Mario W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Trey fear T.O. He's back
  23. dan l
    23. Posted by dan l Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    If Andy Reid leaves he'll pull a Dungy and lift the Lombardi somewhere else. The Eagles should hold on to him like the Steelers held onto Cowher. Everyone who calls for a coach's head mid-season after one loss should don black and silver and support Al Davis. One last thought everyone can agree on, the guy who said SI ranked the Redskins 6th on their power rankings and will therefore win, is moronic.
  24. Sam
    24. Posted by Sam Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Certainly Andy Reid could have called better plays but the O-line was clearly hurting from not having Shawn Andrews, and Westbrook. B West could have ran behind Andrews and scored on 2nd down even with a sprained ankle.
  25. JASON R
    25. Posted by JASON R Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Eagles in self destruct mode? Trey you are an idiot. It was one game without one of the best players in the league. They lost they move on and beat the skins this week with Westbrook in the lineup. The cowgirls are the ones in self destruct mode. TO has already started crying about not being a big enough part in the offense so get ready the worst is yet to come with him. And talk about an idiot coach, Wade and Garrett get the ball to Barber only about 13 times in a game. I will give it to the Boys barber is a beast but you have to get him the ball instead of trying to force feed TOs ego. This is going to be a fun year in the East. GO EAGLES!!!!

Sports Rumors

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

More Rumors

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]