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October 30, 2006

The Descending Philadelphia Eagles

Y
esterday, with winds gusting over 55 mph, the Philadelphia Eagles' head coach -- Andy Reid -- put on a clinic showing how field, weather, and locker-room conditions will not dissuade him from calling his usual 64% passing plays versus 36% rushing plays (or thereabouts). The Eagles lost to Jacksonville 13-6, as the Jags kicked the Eagles around for 206 yards rushing -- sealing the win with a first down late it in the 4th quarter after having a 1st and 20, and then running the ball three times for 21 yards to keep the clock moving. The Eagles have now lost 3 in a row and, facing a miserable second-half schedule, go into their bye week at 4-4 with the distinct possibility of a 6-10 season starring them in the face..

Here's what guard Shawn Andrews reportedly said when asked if Reid should have called more runs instead of his usual pass-happy play calling:

“I wouldn't personally say I'm a student of the game, but if you've got 57 mph winds, you tell me.”

Similar player sentiments have been expressed after other recent losses.

Reid clearly has been successful as the Eagles' head coach. Personally, while I prefer the Steelers' version of smash-mouth football (not this year, though), it's hard to argue with the balanced approach of the New England Patriots -- who, seeing that power football wins, brought in Corey Dillon two years ago and drafted a big halfback in the 1st round of this year's NFL draft.

Reid? He disdains running for pass, pass, pass.

Maybe the league's caught up with him. Worse, maybe his players are buying that theory, too.

Posted by shertaugh at October 30, 2006 1:39 PM

Comments

Ironically, those patriots threw 43 passes to 15 runs last night en route to a blowout victory.

Posted by: Jim Caserta at October 31, 2006 10:25 AM