When 4:00pm rolls around on this afternoon my mind will likely flash back to the 2004 Super Bowl. The mere thought that the Eagles came within three points of winning their first championship since 1960 is enough to send chills down my spine.
Then, after fifteen minutes of deep sighing and exaggerated head shaking, over a game that took place seven years ago, reality will again set in and the game will finally be underway.
However, this time when the Eagles and Patriots square off in South Philadelphia the stakes will be different. The Pats are 7-3 and battling for yet another AFC East division title under Bill Belichick. With Tom Brady on the backside of his career, New England’s Super Bowl window may be soon to close. The time for the Patriots to win is now.
The Eagles, at 4-6, seem to still have a prayer to make the playoffs for the tenth time under Andy Reid. The former Green Bay quarterbacks coach has led the Birds to the postseason in nine out of twelve seasons. Nevertheless, the 2011 campaign has a different feel.
Perhaps the expectations were too high when the year began. Vince Young’s “dream team” comment still echoes through the Tri-State area like a bad song. Only now, the ill-advised remark from the former Texas standout has become the cherry-on-top of an awful season.
Anyone who still believes that this Eagles team is bound for the playoffs, I heavily advise you to let go of the farfetched thought. This season is unlikely to be salvaged.
For the Birds to make the postseason they would more-or-less need to run the table. This outcome would mean seven consecutive victories to finish the year. On paper it looks like it could be possible; in reality it is not going to happen.
And even if it did, what would the Eagles truly be playing for? For Philadelphia to win the Super Bowl they would have to win their last eleven games. I have a hunch that it is more likely that Rich Kotite becomes the next Eagles head coach than that happening. Okay, maybe not, but you still get my point.
Nevertheless some fans still want to believe. On Sunday afternoon we will find out if the players do too.
It’s funny because you hear all about andy taking the eagles to the playoffs 9 out of 12 seasons.But in the nfl which seems to be all about “what have you done for me latley” the reality is if they do not make the playoffs the 2008 season is the last season they won a playoff game.2009 playoffs loss to cowboys and 2
How many times is Nate Allen gonna let someone run by him?
Eagles have spring boarded from the plank!
Couldn’t help but notice all the hits we “were” putting on Brady early in the game. Then suddenly, they stopped. He’s not delivering the ball any sooner. What happened?
Belichick went to the power run game with Green-Ellis, and to the short passing game. He also tweaked his protection.
That’s called coaching!
When our QBs get hit early and often, they also get hit late and often.
We just continue to heave deep pass after deep pass, setting them up to get killed!
After so many hits, they eventually get happy feet, bail early on the play and throw the ball up for grabs. Any QB will do that, including Brady.
More evidence that Reid is a QB Killer!
We are the only team that needs to spy Brady.
I leave the mid-week posters to praise Reid. I only come out game days.
Juan this is embarrassing. I dont wanna hear about Brady. This is like playing against a high school teams defense.
Late in the 1st half against the Pats it’s 1st and goal at the 5 and it’s pass, pass, pass, FG.
Against the Giants, Reid’s pass happy ways almost lost the game.
In 2009-2010, the Eagles led the league in red zone turnovers (all passes).
This year, they lead the league with 8 in after only 11 games (all passes).
Here are the facts about the drive against the Giants:
1. The game was tied;
2. Reid’s starting QB and receiver were out for the game;
3. Reid’s back-up QB had already tossed 3 picks (one in the end zone);
4. Reid’s season was on the line;
5. Reid’s starting back was averaging 7.1 yards per carry in the 4th;
6. Young had driven the Eagles to the Giants’ 20;
7. Instead of playing the percentages and running the ball in the Red Zone, Reid passed, passed and passed some more.
Sure, it worked, but so does the Hail Mary, occasionally.
It was not sound play-calling.
Dag
You’re right. The Cards don’t have Brady.
This may be the worst defense in the NFL I dont want to hear shit about personnel because that is a myth. The Texans had the worst defense in the NFL and got a defensive coordinator now they are number 1. With a few changes. The 49ers were terrible but with a different coach wow they are a different team. You cant tell me the defensive talent on this team isnt better than this. I refuse to believe that.
it’s great!!!! Juan have em on the ropes! Fundamentals is what we’re seeing here. Our Safeties are doing an excellent job and Marsh is showing the great instincts we were told he had when drafted. I also love how Andy haven’t abandoned the run game.
Go J?uan!!!! Andy made a great decision…huh
Well, Avant didn’t want band wagoners…..well.
Don’t have to worry about me…This game pays my rent for the next 6 months! Go Pats!!!!
4th and 1 the best RB in the NFL and you roll out and pass. comical
Music to my ears, “Fire Andy Reid.”
I really love that Nate Allen pick!!! We finally picked a safety to replace dawk!
A very good 2nd round pick! Go Eagles
Dag
Excellent point abut the Texans.
The 49ers were terrible until they made another coaching change.
They followed up the Nate Allen pick.
With another brilliant pick. The 185 pound smurf safety in Jarrett.
Yeah djack looking like a superstar too. Dropping touchdown passes and aligator arming passes. Just like his usual self…. Not showing up against the good teams. None of these guys are above criticism.
This is like going against the scout team for Brady.
I love Juan’s plan. this defense will be ready by week 15.
Scorp DJax is waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy down the list of what needs to be changed on this team. Lets try not to bash one of only 2 pro bowlers on this team. Dont ya think there are alot of others we can bash before him?
I can think of at least two people who may have gone swimming from the Whitman.
Wow, can it get any worse? These team is filled with mediocre talent and poor coaches…. Clean house!!
@songs –
I cringed when they drafted him…. he was mediocre in college and was a 5th round talent. I wanted Earl Thomas in that draft…. they got Graham and Allen, noth home runs…..NOT!! Another reason this team stinks!
Dag didn’t say he wasn’t but that doesn’t mean i need to ignore his crap play. You can if you want. But I’m equal opportunity when it comes to criticsm. And this is when you need the best players on your team to make routine plays especially when you think you are on Larry fitzgeralds level. So forgive if I don’t choose to ignore his poor play. Right about now ill bash whoever i want. He, Andy, Vick and anyone else out there stinkin it up.
Wheres that stiff Trent Cole at? He hasnt made a play in 6 weeks. He sucks. He gets a free pass every year. He has a terrific September every year than dissapears for 3 months.
Scorp I just watched football like usual all day. Stevie Johnson dropped a big one, had a bad penalty. Holmes dropped one. It happens all the damn time. Djax drops some to. WTF? They all do.
how about Andy’s offense could not do anything against a make shift secondary. Can’t wait to see Spuds spin this one.
Ok dag and if thos other guys played for the eagles I’d say the same about them. By your logic we shouldnt criticze anyone because other players on other teams do it too and that’s just silly. Like I said ill criticize anyone on thus team when they are playing bad. I don’t play favorites. You can if you want. Don’t worry about what I say. That’s my opinion and it ain’t changing. And by the boos he got I think a lot of people don’t have favorable opinions about his play. And you’re right he’s not the worst thing on this team but you wanba give him all the praise when he’s good but focus elsewhere when he’s bad. Well you can do thaf all you want. I won’t.
Reid took Jackson out of the game. Someone should take Reid out of the game!
Fair enough scorp
Agreed drummer. Get Andy outta here. All his wack playcalling, personnel decisions, weak defensive drafts, in game brain farts,etc. I’ve had enough.
The best way for the Reid to put his players in a better position is to retire.
Cant wait for the press conference.
What your watching is what your WR corp minus Maclin may look like next year. Enjoy.
Hopefully, the loss of merchandising proceeds will motivate Lurie to move.
I expect that Reid will be forced to resign.
I believe that part of the “all in” commitment was to fire Reid unless he made a deep play-off run. For a while, I felt they took into account the lack of OTAs, but because this team has regressed during the season, they’ve got to move.
Desean Jackson and the defense get a huge thumbs down today… Pathetic..
Kurt Coleman? Nate Allen? are these guys blind? Missing tackles all day..
Jackson dropped at least 2 touchdowns today… Eagles at the 2, come away with nothing ….. Playcalling there was awful…
Team is a mess… Unorganized.. unable to adapt to any game changes…
Juan is not going to get it done… he’s gotta be relieved of duty following the season..
Yeah dag, this press conference is going to be golden. I don’t think djack is gone though. Whether its Andy or someone else, they will franchise him to buy more time to work out a contract. Just my thought about that. But the wr Corp would look like the McNabb days and that’s bad.
One thing we did see today is those gaps close a lot faster for shady when de don’t have to worry about containing Vick. I honestly think you change the coaches with mostly the same players we would be much better. Just a different attitude and philosophy can do wonders.
I’m actually looking forward to this press conference.
I hope Reid takes a step back. Goes home and gets some rest.
I don’t hate him as a person. I don’t even hate him as a coach. He is what he is. I was on board for probably 7-8 years, and I have some fond memories. But like any irreconcilable relationship, when you discover it’s over, move on!
He made a lot of money and we had some times. I hope begins to take better care of himself. I don’t want him to die.
What stands out most to me is that out defense was putting some licks on Brady at the beginning of the game. Then Belichick went to the run game and short passing game to keep the defense off Brady. That’s what I’ve been clamoring for Reid to do for a number of years now. You can’t keep calling deep pass routes while your QBs get killed.
I dont know how Lurie can let this go on any further….they are soon to be the #3 team in the city of Philadelphia
If Reid stays I can see Juan going back to oline coach after mudd retires again and Reid bring in a real coordinator. If he goes then who knows who’s left afyer the new coach cleans house.
REID BLAMES HIS TERRIBLE COACHING ON PENALTIES AND TURNOVERS!!! WTF? GET HIM AND JUAN’S ARSE OUTTA HERE IMMEDIATELY. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS I SAT HERE AND WATCHED THIS GAME IN A HELLUVA NUMB STATE. WE SUCK AND ARE GARBAGE. THAT’S ALL I GOTTA SAY. THIS WC OFFENSE AND DEFENSE SUCKS. STUFF A BANANNA IN AR’S MOUTH AND SEND EM HOME. WE ARE 4-7, EVEN WORSE THAN SOME OF YOU GUYS PREDICTED EARLY ON! FIRE HIM AND JUAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Damn! I really wish I would have put some money on this game tonite. At least then I would be angry and rich. lol
How can the “All-In Dream Team” finish worse than last year’s team?
For years, I blamed the F.O for their unwillingness to spend money on top-notch talent, and I believe, rightfully so. But, I’d have to be completely out of my mind to hold the F.O. accountable for this present-day mess. They made the decision to give Reid whatever he wanted, and despite spending largely to improve last year’s porous, record-breaking defense, this year’s defense could actually be worse. How is that possible?
With the absence of OTA’s we all expected a somewhat slow start. But we also anticipated that this team would progress as the season wore on. After all, those are traits of Andy’s previous teams. What’s happened? What’s changed?
I don’t think it’s any one thing, but one thing is certain, this is Andy Reid’s team from top to bottom. There are no more Ray Rhodes guys, no financial restrictions, no personnel conflicts, and no F.O. issues. Reid was given the means to build a Superbowl winner and what he’s given us is a sub-.500 team.
At this point, the hows and whys are unimportant. The only thing of matter is that Reid is held accountable and is relieved of his coaching duties.
Reports are Marty and Jim Washburn get into heated argument on sidelines and need to be seperated, Tra Thomas guarentees the argument is from Marty not running the ball with the leagues leading rusher and sticking his pathetic defense and defensive line back on the field.
Buddy Ryan and Kevin Gilbride – Round 2 – Ding!!!
Dag
Where’d you hear that?
My money’s on the cripple guy.