The Philadelphia Eagles: A look back and forward

As the Eagles season dismally ended in wondrous failure not once, but twice, it is time to reflect on the true purpose of this organization.  Jeffrey Lurie and the Philadelphia Eagles are perfectly content with mediocrity.

All you hear in non-Philadelphia media (ESPN, Fox, whoever) is that the Eagles have made the playoffs in 8 of Reid's 11 seasons and McNabb is a future Hall of Famer and the Eagles are always a competitive team.  But the Eagles lost Jim Johnson in the off-season to unforeseen circumstances and that proved to be a huge reason why the Eagles season ended when it did this year.  He seemed to be the link that kept the team afloat; he kept a blitzing defense of hard nosed players doing what they had to do to make the team win.

Now the Eagles have 6 middle linebackers in a season, one of which came out of retirement.  Now they give up 34 points in a wild card playoff game.  Now they HAVE to use our offense to win games, when before, it was optional because the defense kept them in games and even won them games.

This brings me to my main point.  McNabb and Reid has not been and will not be the answer for a championship in Philadelphia.  Obvious statement?  Yes, I know.  This is what every Philly fan says?  Yes, I know.  But, here are some things that might not be that obvious.

The organization is blinded by stupid, unimportant facts.  Something like the Eagles scored the most points in Reids tenure this year.  Ok, great.  How many did they score week 17 with a first round bye on the line?  How many did they score in the playoffs?  How did they score their 14 in the playoffs?  One was a pass from Michael Vick!

But McNabb has a great percentage and had 223 passing yards!  Great!  They were down 20 when he got those yards.  But DeSean Jackson had so many touchdowns over 50 yards!  Great!  That means the Eagles cant sustain a 15 play scoring drive.  Look at Andre Johnson and Chad Ochocinco when they have big games.  14 catchs, 120 yards.  DeSean Jackson has 3 catches, 150 yards.  Because his quarterback can't find a second read receiver.  It's the first read or tight end/running back.

But its ok, as long as Andy Reid keeps 'taking responsibility for this loss.'  And McNabb 'takes full blame but I still want to be an Eagle.'  Keep saying what you have to say.  That will keep Lurie keeping you.

Andy Reid gets a contract extension.  Not when the Eagles make it deep into the playoffs and upset some teams and actually accomplish something new.  No, Reid gets a new contract when the team is on a winning streak but has proven nothing.

Kolb throws for over 300 yards his first two games.  But as long as McNabb is there, he's the guy.  Why did you use a first round pick on Kolb again?  

Remember, a lot of the Eagles success under Reid came from A.J. Feeley and Jeff Garcia.  Yes, McNabb was a huge part of it at as well, but he always had bailout weapons (Westbrook, T.O.)  Now that Westbrook is old and beat up and couldn't bail out McNabb this year, he had no go to guy when his offense was sputtering at the worst possible time.

McCoy worked out great, but when Westbrook was able to play again, the Eagles put that gameplan to rest and then lost.

Here is what it comes down to.  Andy Reid is very loyal.  He is also very stuck in his ways.  He is also predictable.  He has also accomplished the same thing that 100 other NFL coaches has accomplished:  1 super bowl, no rings.  Donovan McNabb has put up some great numbers.  But he has accomplished was 100 other quarterbacks have accomplished: 1 super bowl, no rings.  Yes we can throw around all kinds of stats and facts about these two guys but the two bottom lines are the same.  And Jeffery Lurie.  He does what it takes to fill seats.  He wants to win.  But his bottom line is the same as the previous two:  No rings.