A DOSE OF EAGLE REALITY

So you sit down last Sunday afternoon with your suicide wings and an ice cold brew ready to root the Birds on to victory. The game starts well, and the Eagles are ready to blow out Tennessee in the first half. Incredibly, the game takes a 180 degree turn and the Titans go on to a 37 – 19 victory, and all you got out of the last 3 hours is a scalding tongue, indigestion, and a loss check mark next to your office pool sheet. Let me help to explain why the 2010 Philadelphia Eagles will not be better than 9-7 this season:


COACHING

Andy Reid is a good person and an above average administrator. However, he continually displays the characteristics of a coach that is over his head regarding many facets of the game. Cases in point:

Time management- Was there ever a worse display of a hurry up offense that the Eagles displayed in the 2004 Super Bowl? My daughter Taylor who was 14 years of age at the time kept calling me during the 2 minute drill at the end of the game while I was in Las Vegas saying, “Why aren’t the Eagles hurrying Daddy?” I didn’t have an answer for her. Also, a time out saved can be a game saver, and the Birds blow far too many week after week.
Inability to adjust during the game- Why do you think offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg took over the play calling responsibilities? I’m told by insiders that one of the reasons is that Reid would not vary from his scripted plays, regardless of a defensive alignment that the team was not prepared for.
And who is taking responsibility for letting Kenny Britt of the Titans break a receiving record with 225 yards and 3 TD’s in 3 quarters of play?? At what point do you blanket him and let the other WR’s beat you?
Penalties- The Eagles are one of the most penalized teams in the league, and that is a product of lack of discipline that reflects on the man in charge.

TALENT

The 2010 Philadelphia Eagles have above average talent, but are dreadfully thin at some important positions that will be difficult to overcome. Losing stalwarts like Leonard Weaver and Jamaal Jackson for the year so early in the season is tough to overcome. Yet there are other positions that have glaring weaknesses that are costing the Birds.

Cornerback- Ellis Hobbs is a small corner that gets exposed by big receivers like Britt. Asante Samuel is a great anticipator of the ball, but is a poor tackler and only an average cover guy. Safeties’ Nate Allen and Quinten Mickell are fine.
Tight End- Brent Celek is missing key blocks and not catching the ball as well as he did last season.
Linebackers- Ernie Sims is an athlete but undisciplined. Stewart Bradley is a gamer but his knee injury gives him trouble in covering fast tight ends.

SCHEDULE

Rest of the way- Although they have gotten a break with the Romo injury and the Bears collapse, its going to be difficult to come out of the remaining games (Indy, Washington, NYG, Chicago, Houston, Dallas twice, and Minnesota) any better than 4-4, which would put them at 9-7 for the season. Given that fact that the NFC is dreadfully inconsistent this season, don’t throw in the towel yet. Just keep it next to the chair close to the hot wings, you may need it to wipe your hands and dry your tears.