Andy Reid had his final Monday news conference of the season earlier today. He defended his football team and defended their season. According to Reid, the team overachieved. He said that no one expected the football team to accomplish what they did which was a NFC East Division crown and a 10-6 season.
When asked about his quarterbacks, Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb, Reid said he would like to have both of them back.
He also said his defensive coordinator Sean McDermott will be back. McDermott has been under fire because of his defense’s problems in the red zone. The Birds defense surrendered a 77% rate of touchdowns when opposing offenses got in the red zone.
“You’re dealing with a guy that’s a tremendous worker and is a very smart individual,” Reid said in defense of his defensive coordinator “And so, I look at it a little bit different than you do. In that I’ve seen him work with young guys, I’ve seen him work through injuries, I’ve seen him stay positive through those situations, and still put us in a position to win football games.
“And know that he’s going to do nothing but improve as a coach, just like all of us, with experience. I got a lot of respect for him and the way he does business.”
I agree with Reid about McDermott. He’s a hard worker who has had to make a lot of adjustments to his schemes because of changes in personnel. They had major problems at the right cornerback position, which were accentuated by the lack of a consistent pass rush.
One of the reasons for the Eagles defensive success over the years was the quality players they had at the cornerback position. The quickest way for a team to score is by beating the cornerbacks. That happened a lot this season.
As for yesterday, the defense wasn’t the reason they lost to the Packers. They surrendered 21 points to a very potent Green Bay offense, but forced a key turnover at the start of the second half, which put the offense on a shortened field to score a touchdown.
They also came up with a key stop with the clock running out in the fourth quarter in order to give the offense a chance to win the football game.
They definitely gave up too many points this season, 377, which was 21st in the league. The main reason for that was their problems in the red zone.
Still, they finished the season 12th in the league in total defense, 15th versus the run and 14th versus the pass. There are segments of the defense that they need to correct but they obviously did some things well.
I like some of the things he’s done and feel he’s able to do a good job putting together a blitz package, but I think he’s got his football players thinking too much in the red zone. Sometimes you can try to do too much in the red zone, which have your players thinking too much and that can diminish their aggressiveness. Aggressiveness helps in red zone more than anything else.
If you’re hesitant in the red zone, you’re beaten. It’s better to keep it simple down there, rather than to make it too complicated. You must be aggressive in the red zone and I think that can be corrected.
Could the Eagles go out and get a more experienced defensive coordinator with a better track record than McDermott? Yes, but Reid says he’s going to keep McDermott in place and let him grow.
Bottomline on McDermott, he needs to get better and the Eagles need to find a good cornerback to man that right side.
Garry, I don’t know if Andy is the main decision maker, but the evaluation process of defensive players must change come draft time. There are two many times the Eagles are not drafting defensive difference makers in the first round. Then, the compound the problem by taking fliers like Bryan Smith and Daniel Te’o-nesheim in the third round when they could be had much later. They have been very poor drafting on the defensive side of the ball.
It’s more than just a cornerback. This team needs a good safety, LB and pass rusher. Not just a CB. And yeah they only gave up 21 points but they gave up over 100 yards on the ground to an unknown and on Green Bay scores they were long methodical drives. 3 for 3 in the redzone. Sometimes it’s how you give up the points that make a difference. They were worn down and beat up.
I agree. Except for Samuel they really have no consistent impact defensive players (and yes I include Trent Cole on that list). They need to influx that talent immediately.
And yes, don’t know what the financial situation will be, but they need to open up the checkbook for Asomugha.
Tech, Andy is the main decision maker. He decides as far as talent if he wants a guy and then Roseman/Banner decide on the money part.
Tech, I agree too about Cole. I’m getting tired of him too.
i guess the Eagles thought Rogers would pick them apart if they blitz too much. Actually NFL Network had a good stat: Eagles sending 4- Rogers 3 td over 100 rating versus sending more(blitz) was like a 40 rating
Is Roseman still excited about his draft choices and his pass rushers and the look from afar at Ernie Sims. Sims is a complete waste.Please tell the front office that this is not fantasy football. Justice is pathetic and for having just about the best offensive line coach in the league as per the Eagles. Three of out starters are backups. Bradley has no athletic ability as far as jumping and having good hands. To often than not our defense misses the tackle entirely and gets facked out of their jock
Be nice to sign Nmadi Asamaguah..and get SOMEBODY on that D-Line that has balls..watching that defense was pathetic yesterday..This defense is really weak..I dont really care if McDermott is a hard worker or not..his D stinks and play with no balls.
No surprise tydm,
When EAgles only send 4 Rushers they made QB’s like Shaun Hill, Kerry Collins, Jay Cutley,Jon Kitna,
Joe Webb, Stephen McGee all look too comfortable and like All-Pro’s
I heard thru a pretty good source that QB kolb wants to be traded to the Redskins where he can face this EAgles Defense twice a year to help pad his stats…. It is what it is…
McDermott had even more key injuries on defense than the offense and he certainly didn’t have a defensive equivalent of a Vick to cover both poor personnel talent and just plain poor game planning and play calling like AR / MM did.
Frankly, I couldn’t care what AR thinks anymore because I believe he’s the reason this team can’t go to and win a SB. No, I never expected them to be as impactful as they were this year but, they had a shot and with better game-day coaching could’ve / should’ve won yesterday. Oh well, I’m all Reid’d out. I know it’ll be many, many years before Reid is gone but, I’ve been and will continue to be an Eagles fan long after Reid’s gone.
G:
I doubt that there is a fix to this situation. I like Sean McDermott. He coached at my local school. Fire him. No pass rush is a killer for this team, and he failed to work that out. Why am I even thinking about this? Wade Philips is available and he’ll have an attitude for the NFC East. I don’t care about SMc or his feelings. This D needs to get better as far as schemes. But who the hell reads my s*** anyway?
nsidious
Wade Phillips is NOT available. Keep up with coverage of the NFL if you’re going to comment. Thanks.
G- r u friggin kidding me?? This is a joke, McD blows. He Blows! This is not high school… I don’t care if he is a good guy and works hard. That’s not good enough. What about last year? He blew then too. Ugh… I give up.its mcnabbs fault. Uhg.. Stupid people.
Btw…. What friggin injuries?? Hobbs?? Ellis hobbs was not going to be the difference maker. Nate allen? Yes… Had a good year but this D sucked long before he was even drafted.
Let’s talk about Jim J’s D…. What did it do come playoff time? Tell me any game in the playoffs where it came up huge. What playoff game did we dominate on D. Good friggin luck. I’m losing my mind.
GOD FFS Thank you Stevo. Finally!
Bucs 02…03
Bears 02
Pack 04
Falcons 04
Giants 06
Minny 08/Giants 08
Dont disrespect JJ about not being dominant in the p-offs…total violation. And your off base and just blurting out b.s. too say it. Uhg…stupid people?Fug is that mess?. I’ve watched several playoff games were the old man sat on the side line with a mean mug …blitzn fire on the q .Getting home and causing turnovers.
Injuries that impacted this defense in any way shape or form that caused Sean too adjust and MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
Sante..was out and missed time.Enter Patterson.
Bunkley.Yes Dixon filled in ..but how much better would he have been if Bunk hadnt of went down?
JP…he does help.
Bradley…its your starting mlb..it hurts and Cheney was a nice spot.
Hobbs…htf do you know if Ellis doesnt come up with some kinda play other then wtf Pattterson ,Hanson.and Lindley had? He was vet corner with p-off experience and had a clue. We beat on him but he did get scrappy…and it was a injury.
Allen…he would made more plays then Coleman.2ND ROUNDER..7TH ROUNDER!!!Freak injury.I like what we have in Allen.
Stevo…thats JJ’s son..he stays…get him the fuggin tools!!!
How does Babin and Clemons go from 9.5 sacks in a combined 3 years with the eagles, to a combined 23.5 sacks with their new teams in one year alone? And we are supposed to be a blitzing defense who should rack up more sacks than both the Titans and Seahawks.
Just sign Asomugha and have him man to man every game at RCB where he likes to play. Put Asante on the other side with safety help every now and then so the QB has to gamble every time he throws his way, not knowing if Asante is going to jump the route of not. That leaves 8-9 players to play man/zone/blitz. The Jets have the right recipe. 2 shutdown corners makes it so much easier on the rest of the defense.
N.A. is not going too generate a pass rush. Look at the Jets.Revis/Cromartie…solid corners…they have zero pass rush. And look at what Manning almost did too them Sat..
NA would be awesome. He would line up wherever the hell we want him and he would breed just as much confidence in the secondary as 22. Playmaking LB ….Greenway doesnt wanna rebuild in Minny. I like him as a target.
NA is one of the most gifted athletes in the league…watch his film.Im sure other teams are gonna be watching the film too.Therefore until he’s signed…take off your Green Goggles and come down too earth for the draft.
Offensive line,secondary.secondary,and then go secondary after you go d-tackle.
The Jets pass rush is less effective then ours.With two good corners they barely sniffed Manning. We were all over him….NA will make your wallet tight. He’s legit…but less of a player and more attention too the backers and d-line could be there direction.
I was done with ope when britt was killing him and he did NOTHING to change. Your kidding yourself if you think this d is any good.worst red zone D in 25 years. Babbin and clemons seemed good enough now. JJ D was broke come playoff time. Look it up son.
We have paid attention to the d-line most years. Trevow Laws and Brandon Graham have done nothing.
Jets actually had a sack more than us, ranked 6th in pass defense, 4th in run defense and gave up 10 less TDs while playing in a division with Tom Brady. Im not saying hes going to generate a pass rush, he just gives up more options in coverages/blitzes.
And Asomugha doesnt line up wherever he solely plays RCB just like Asante plays solely LCB. Its why many people consider Revis better because he can cover both sides aswell as the slot receiver.
*us more options
Just read a good point. The eagles have always employed a LCB and RCB defense no matter who the receivers are on the offense, the eagles corners play their half of the field only. So many of the Packers formations were 1WR 2TE sets which had the receiver lined up to the left (Jennings) which the Packers knew meant Patterson was going to cover him. This left Asante covering basically a TE or being a run support OLB which is his weakness. Good gameplanning by the Packers to take Asante out of the game. It also highlighted the Eagles lack of in game adjustments as there was nothing they could do about it since our scheme means Asante sticks to his side of the field only.
Bottom line erock…. Teams fear the stealers, ravens and jets…. Heck the dallas front 7 was scary for a few years. Noone has feared this D in 7 or so years. Give dick j a shot at running this and let ope go back to being the water boy. I would have loved for them to get wade phillips but he’s with the texans now. Seriously guys… We need to get that swagger back on D. Buddy ryan… Any gass left in that tank??
Exactly mim…. I had trouble on that in madden for like 2 weeks back in the day and then I realized how to fix that…lol… Are you kidding me??? Ope.. Coffee, cream to sugars… Snap. I bet that gameplan took all of 3 seconds. Same spit happened with britt.
Need a new DC,LB, 2CB’s,C,RG. Call me crazy but I think our D line will be fine. It all starts with coaching though. See ya MCD.
Same thing happened in the Giants game with Manningham. They go out with 1 receiver on Pattersons side and it leaves the Eagles best corner and ONLY defensive playmaker with nobody to cover and trying to play run support. Our scheme is too predictable.
In signing Asomugha it takes away the eagles biggest need and allows us to concentrate on drafting for the o-line, d-line and linebackers.
G – agree. He needs to stay. YOung guy, still learning, workaholic, etc. All good things. Get him an OLB in the draft, or decide what to do with the two headed MIKE that the Birds have now as a possible solution, pick up a corner, have Allen heal quick and things should change considerably next year.
Asomugha is making $16M now, and probably would want a raise. But then again, something like 14 completions against the dude all year, might be worth it? But at 30, people typically don’t get faster as they get into their 30’s…
Coaching, Coaching and Coaching… Green Bay came in as a pass happy team, more so than we are if that’s possible. BUT, what did they employ during the game. 2 TE’s, full house backfield, smashmouth football. We gave up 21 pts which was highly commendable, but how many adjustments were made. Coaching, Coaching… We were out-coached AGAIN in a big game. Offensively, we stick to the same lame, dry, un-imaginative play calling, time and time again. Andy and marty are so arrogant…teams no what we are going to do and we try it anyway. No blocking TEs on the roster…ok put an extra tackle out there and run it. GB ran a nickel defense the ENTIRE game… again arrogance. It’s time for an offensive and defensive philosphy change… Also, this team is built for speed, like dome speed. Cold weather, bad fields, negate what they can do…smh. Andy really needs to do a hard self evaluation. Quick name the last LB who would knock your head off and was feared, not named Trotter…Quick name a LB who we drafted who was ready to step right in and knock heads off, safety??? The systems are too complicated…why can other teams have impactful LBs and CBs…
WTF is everyone thinking ?….GIVING UP 21 POINTS IS NOT A GOOD THING..let’s stop pretending
This defensive scheme does not work and has not worked for this team….
And D-CoorD should go…..why.. 3 words
RED ZONE DEFENSE
I heard Trotter say that they only had two plays in the red zone and one of them was a blitz! I agree that there is too much going on in the red zone for these players. I didn’t even mention that we are dealing with players that have mid range talent. McDermott can get better; if he’s going to run this scheme he needs to get better players and simplify a lot of the plays.
McDermott should humble himself and go visit Buddy Ryan and pull out all of his notes on Jim Johnson.
Eaxcly… 21 points to a team who ran it dowour throats. Hurray!! Blind. Our D blows.
I never expected this season to be as competitive or exciting as it was. This team overachieved on the back of some homerun-type heroics all year long. AReid runs a great organization top to bottom – just look at how many years we have been competitive and how many coaches move on to HC other teams. Says a lot in this league. Since we all know he isn’t going anywhere, the media need to hold ARs feet to the fire and not accept those canned responses he gives after losses. He needs to be pressed harder, and a lot more often for not addressing difficiencies like offensive balance, in game adjustments to protect our QB, 3rd down problems on both sides of the ball, clock management, draft and free agent strategy/results. Because these problems are very much the reasons why we find ourselves year after year close but no cigar.
They bithced about not getting a pass rush but they let Clemmons and Babin walk. It would have been nice to have them this year. Who’s GIANT mistake was that in letting them go? Makes you wonder wtf is going on at NovaCare. Is the Dline coach just a total freaking moron and is not getting the best out of his players?
Let’s face it, the Dline has been garbage for several years.
Hire Rob Ryan from the Browns…
He’s aggresive,brash and loud just like his brother is and how his father coached and his team will reflect that and get bigger,stronger and play with more of a nasty attitude..
Fire DL Coach R Segrest and LB Coach B Shuey… Keep D Jauron as the Secondary Coach
maybe keep McDermott in some capacity, but if new DC Ryan wants him gone and feels by keeping him around would be a distration, then Fire him too..
I would even consider flying Donald Trump to Nova Care to handle the firing if Coach AR is not up to the task..
Is there really a chance we get Nmadi Asamaguah? I keep seeing his name around here and its giving me a stiffy… Dont play, I cant waste those…
Wow, Stevo, you’re a little worked up about this, huh? Granted, the Eagles D has some holes, but you make them sound like the Texans. Sure, the Vikings made them look stupid, but I give a lot of credit to the new coach over there. If you recall, they made our O look terrible too. Against the Pack they only gave up 21 points to a very good Offense. Maybe we need to look at the offensive coaches, including Reid.
To Rasheed, put the Stiffy away please.
There is absolutely no chance the Eagles go out and sign CB Asmagoah due to his salary demands and his age.. This is not the Phillies Franchise we are talking about who makes things happen and improves their team in the off-season this is the Eagles.
I do think they will promote CB D Pendry from the Practice squad and invite him to Spring Camp
if this makes you feel any better..
To paulman, Jauron as a secondary coach is not going to happen! He’s getting promoted or he’s off to be a DCoordinator for another squad. Segrest and Shuey have to be replaced and if I was in charge I bring in Trotter as a Linebacker coach ( he knows this D) and bring back Tommy Brasher for the DLine. Like Rob Ryan as a DCoordinator but he will be somebodies Head Coach I think.
McDermott probally thought Def C Johnson D never won a Super Bowl with the blitz so try something new. Not sure how often the SB champion Steelers,Saints,Patriots,Colts blitz(i would like that stat) and i would do that ave. blitz or no blitz Eagles need to get people in here to stop the run