Eagles coach Andy Reid: image provided by Philly.com
I personally believe the reason is Andy Reid. Not because Reid is a bad coach, but simply because he seems like an empty gun still trying to fire long after running out of ammunition. His demeanor isn't as upbeat as it once was (granted he had alot of personal issues off the field that effected his job...and rightfully so). But, with this demeanor the team follows suit and it is showing. The team isn't terrible which means there is clearly talent, but in the game of football, you have to be resilient and the Eagles don't seem able to recover when punched in the mouth. Instead, they back down and become Shane Falco's "Quick Sand" speech from the Replacements set in motion. If one thing goes wrong, another goes wrong, and another and another...And this has become a trend with the Eagles.
Andy Reid and Michael Vick looking on against Pittsburgh
The time in Philadelphia has come to make a change at head coach, I personally felt this change should've happened after the 2011-2012 season, but it didn't. But after 8 playoff appearances for Reid, missing one was ok. Andy Reid has had a very impressive run as an NFL head coach. There was a time when he was just a tight ends coach for the Packers, and he was given a chance to become head coach of the Eagles and he took it. Since then, Reid is currently the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL and one of the most successful head coaches of the modern NFL era. Although Reid hasn't won the "big one", he did lift the Eagles from the nest of obscurity and made them soar again. Reid lead the Eagles to one Super Bowl appearance, losing the Patriots in 2004. But, that loss goes alongside six division titles and five NFC Championship game appearances(including four in a row from 2001 to 2004). Many people call him "a coach who can't win big games" which is partially true, becuase he hasn't, but he is a coach who would get you to those games, and not many coaches can say that win or lose.
Eagles win 2004 NFC Championship
But, in 2012, Reid's team still just isn't responding. Changes have been made in both player personnel and staffing, yet still no improvement. In fact, in an attempt to shake up the team after a hideous overtime loss to Detroit this season, Eagles coach Andy Reid fired Juan Castillo as defensive coordinator and replaced him with defensive backs coach Todd Bowles. This switch backfired on Reid immediately.
The defense under Bowles is worse in every facet including focus and hustle compared to Castillo - in points, yards, in the red zone, and on third down, Castillo's defense was considerably better. In the first six games under Castillo, the Eagles allowed an average of 16.8 points and 330.8 yards a game and was among the league leaders on third down (41.2%) and in the red zone (42.1%). Under Bowles, the Eagles are averaging 25 points and 381.5 yards a game, and a mediocre third down percentage (50%) as well as in the red zone (66.7%). The Eagles have also made a plethora of mistakes and ill-timed penalties, from pointless wide receiver contact calls to blown coverages and miscommunications. There is even certain plays they looked as if they forgot how to tackle or simply didn't feel like it. Bowles has never been a coordinator in the NFL. Castillo was promoted from offensive line coach in January 2011, so neither seem to be ideal for an NFL defensive coordinator role. Castillo's move was criticized by many at the time as his defense struggled in his first year as coordinator, but his defense actually showed a pretty vast improvement this season. But, fourth quarter collapses against Pittsburgh and Detroit led to his firing. Even though the Eagles offense committed 5 turnovers in those two games(3 vs Det, 2 vs Pit) Reid put the blame on Castillo.
Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick fumbles against the Lions: Image provided by BleacherReport.com
Bowles on the other hand, hasn't even had the chance to blow a fourth quarter lead because the Eagles have trailed in the last two games. Against the Falcons, Atlanta scored on their first six possessions leading to their 30-17 domination of the Eagles. I know 30-17 doesn't seem that one sided, but if you saw the game, the Eagles didn't seem to offer any interest or resistance playing the Falcons that day. The defense showed marginal improvement against the Saints, but the offense didn't, and the defense could not keep the Eagles in the game after Michael Vick threw a pick-six that spotted the Saints a 7-0 lead.
Patrick Robinson intercepts Michael Vick for a 99 yd touchdown
Nothing seems to be working, certain players seem to have shut down and called this season a loss already, and if the Eagles lose to the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday, they may be right. If Dallas wins, the Eagles are all but out of the playoff race at 3-6 and rookie third-round pick Nick Foles, could be Reid's last gasp to stay at the helm in Philadelphia.
Eagles rookie quarterback Nick Foles
Andy Reid simply has given everything he has to the city of Philadelphia and it's Eagles and simply has nothing left. After all of his personal troubles at home and his problems at work, what else can you ask of a man once he has given you his all? It is simply time for Andy Reid to walk away, not just from the Eagles, but from the NFL sidelines. Clearly, the man needs a break after all he has endured. But when he does go, don't "boo" him "Philly Faithful", Reid has given you everything he possibly could. Andy Reid gave to the Eagles more love, devotion, and passion than any Eagles fan ever could. He helped mold the very same Eagles that fans cheer for every week, he has given countless hours of his life to YOUR Philadelphia Eagles...Just so you can watch them play for 60 minutes. I am not one to cheer for the Eagles, and I have my gripes about Reid as a coach like every one else. But, I salute Andy Reid for every second of his life he has given to this game and hope he finally gets to take some time for himself before returning to the sidelines, wherever they may be.
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