• March 28, 2024

Andy Reid Did Not Lose The Game Against The Bears Last Night

The Bears own the Eagles and this time it was not the coaching that did this Eagles team in. It seems like the last time the Eagles beat
the Bears, they were underdogs in the playoffs as Donovan McNabb went back to his hometown of Chicago to lead the Eagles to a 33-19 playoff victory in 2002.

Andy Reid didn’t fumble a punt return before halftime. He didn’t drop wide open passes or fall after catching a pass before gaining a first down on the last chance to win the game. Andy also didn’t throw the most wussified football throw I’ve seen in the NFL in years during a fake punt attempt.

Nope, not this time, folks. Last night’s debacle in South Philadelphia, another yet embarrassing performance against an insanely
mediocre team in the Chicago Bears, should be blamed on the Eagles players for failing to show up. The coaching decisions had nothing to do with this loss against the Bears. The players failed Andy Reid, Juan Castillo, the rest of the coaching staff, and us, the fans.

LeSean McCoy had a few good runs. For the most part, the Bears defense stuffed Shady, limiting him to 71 yards on the ground. That’s not going to get it done against this Bears defense. McCoy is having a great season, and he’s one of the best running backs in the NFL when it comes to receiving and rushing. But last night McCoy didn’t have it. He broke one long run that went for a touchdown and then was fairly quiet at every other point of the game.

Not sticking with LeSean McCoy and running the ball in the 4th quarter isn’t what cost the Eagles this game. Yes, Michael Vick had a terrible game, probably one of his worst as an Eagle. But he is our franchise quarterback. The best chance to come back and win laid in Mike Vick’s hands. And that’s where Andy Reid left his trust. But Vick failed.

Let’s look at the fake punt attempt. I don’t care what Mike Quick says on the radio, but Henry had a wide open Colt Anderson and crashed and burned. It was obvious they had the Bears on their heels and a trick play would certainly have shifted the momentum. And the opportunity was there. This time, Andy Reid had his players in the perfect position. The players failed.

I firmly believe the Eagles were not outcoached last night. Reid adjusted fairly well to what the Bears were doing, which allowed him
to come back and go ahead in the game 24-17. The players simply didn’t show up to play. Jeremy Maclin failed in this game. DeSean
Jackson certainly failed in this game. Our two big play receivers left their coach out to dry. When that happens, the coaches scramble
to look for answers, and they simply could not come up with answers last night.

But it wasn’t for lack of effort or Reid’s stubbornness. You can’t tell me Andy Reid doesn’t care about winning football games. His reaction to the win in the Meadowlands last year proves that. He defeated the Cowboys with an amazing game plan. His game plan didn’t lose the game last night. He adjusted to what the Bears were doing to McCoy by going to the pass with his franchise quarterback. That’s not refusing to make an adjustment. That’s making an adjustment that his players did not come through on.

What cost the Eagles the game last night was their soft defense. Asante Samuel, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Nnamdi Asomugha, and the Eagles defensive line were all terrible last night. Not getting one sack against a terrible Bears offensive line and a quarterback that hasn’t played exceptionally well in over a year, it was atrocious. Jay Cutler made seams in the Eagles defense that made him look like Peyton Manning.

The Eagles have squandered four 4th quarter leads this season. The offense was not good last night, but it should have been enough to beat the Bears. This defense is the softest defense I’ve seen in recent memory not only in Eagle history, but NFL history. They still
are terrible in the red zone, and it almost seems like it’s a certainty that the opposing team will score a touchdown once they get
into the red zone. It’s downright embarrassing. You can criticize Reid for putting Castillo in that position as defensive
coordinator. That is one move that nobody, even respected NFL reporters, agreed with.

Castillo has done a terrible job with this defense that has studs. But once Castillo gets the players in the right position, it’s up to the players to make the coaches proud. And last night, when the players were in the right position, they let their coaches down. They let me down. They let you down. The players get the blame for this one, not the coaches.

Nick Camillo Piccone

Philly sports fan that grew up as a four for four guy. Love the sports biz. Follow me on Twitter @nickcpiccone

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BigE
BigE
November 8, 2011 3:10 pm

The loss just goes on his record as a coach. All this bull by Avant reacting to the fans and saying it’s us against the world and we play for Andy is pure fantasy.

chevron2105
chevron2105
November 8, 2011 3:20 pm

Well for once I have to agree with the Article about giving Reid a pass, although I thought the play call for the pass by Hennery was really dumb. I always look forward to any and every opportunity to bust the above mentioned Coach’s chops. Unfortunately, I am going to have to take a raincheck on it this week. (sigh) lol.

paulman
paulman
November 8, 2011 3:27 pm

I agree 100% Nick and stated similar posts and thoughts about the players failing to perform.. I am done blaming the Coaching Staff and until Coach AR draws a line in the sand and maybe benches or release’s some player or players to get the rest of the squads attention, nothing is going to change..
Coach AR is too much a players coach to a fault, he will take the sword and blame for when his players fail to relieve the pressure, the problem is that today’s players are not the true Profesional’s the Eagles had a few years back, many of today’s players care about how their performnce went and what thier stats say and I truly believe that certain players take advantage of this instead if owning up to their lack of preparation, mental errors or whatever.. Coach AR has no one to blame for he has allowed this atmoshere for too long where he coddled certain players..
Sit D-Jax’s ass on the bench for a half and play Steve Smith or Riley Cooper, then see what D-Jax does when he comes back in..
The Bears did just this after Forte 2nd Fumble, Coach L Smith sat him down for a couple of series and played M Barber, then brought back a raring to go with something to prove Forte for crunch time.. Coach AR would never do this for fear of embarrasing a player of his and this my friends is the difference between a “Good Coach” and a “Great Coach”.. Lovie Smith is not a rah-rah guy, but how come he gets to have his players play hard and fast and for the entire game.. These are players like Peppers,Urlacher,Briggs,Tillman who all have been in the NFL for years and years.. Imagine Coach AR benching T Cole, or a D-Jax or a or L McCoy .. would never happen and these players take advantage of ‘Soft Reid”

skman7
skman7
November 8, 2011 3:33 pm

I feel the players and the coaches should share the blame. Someone please explain to me why this team wasn’t ready to play. When certain guys wasn’t playing well like DJax and Maclin why didn’t we let Steve Smith play. In other sports when players aren’t performing well they are replaced why do we continue to allow guys to play when they don’t help this team. Once the Bears scored first they didn’t seem to have any fire to try to tie the game. This team has no real leaders and lacks heart. I love Vick being our quarterback but if other guys don’t step up he can’t do it alone. Our offensive and defensive lines were terrible. I never would have thought our defensive line couldn’t get any pressure on Cutler. Then at the same time look how many times Vick got hit. This team is a joke. Andy Reid should be fired today. Not because he is a bad coach, but because he can no longer help motivate this team. We spent a lot of money this past off season now look how its paying off. If you don’t spend the money to address real needs( like linebackers) you seem to end up with the same problem like not be able to stop the run. DJax wants a real contract then start playing like you deserve one. I’m one of his biggest fans but the way he played last night was a disgrace. Im not sure we can beat the Cards. Hopefully our players will realize the is the NFL not college football!!!!!!!

nsidious
nsidious
November 8, 2011 3:34 pm

The Bears offensive line treated the Eagles defensive line like punks! And whoever the new offensive line coach for Chicago is, he did a masterful job for one game against the team I root for, on Monday night football. They were stepping back, stepping down, sealing off one side – then the other. They blocked as an entire line last night…and I never would have guessed they could have done so.
They sealed off to the left – Cutler bootlegged to the right and hit poorly covered receivers downfield. On and on. And please explain how to cover a twins razor to Zordich – because he has no idea how to do it!
I still think Castillo is playing checkers while Mike Martz was playing Vulcan (three-level) chess. He didn’t blitz from outside or in, on a QB who is a NOBODY!!! Give my kid that kind of time and he’ll hit an open man. Flabbergasting loss.
And yes, I agree, it ain’t on Big Red. I said what you said about the fake punt in the stands last night and was heckled. It was OPEN, but the passer needs a skirt.

Jon Hart
Jon Hart
November 8, 2011 4:44 pm

Haynesworth released??? Should the eagles pick him up??? I think they should take a look at him… And maybe T.O too..

paulman
paulman
November 8, 2011 4:49 pm

This Season is ove JH and Neither player figures in future plans for the EAgles,
Tmie to move on and play some younger players in my opinion
Can DE Hunt and DT Thornton play some down the stretch to see if they are NFL PLayers.. Can CB Hughes/Marsh play a little to see if they have NFL Potentail.. Bringing in 35 Year old players in a losing Season does what for the team besides bringing in more egos,drama and anquish, let the young players play.. Redskins also release WR Donte Stallworth, you want him to come to Philly too.. Many of you need to stop living in the past with players that are finished up..

paulman
paulman
November 8, 2011 4:51 pm

Mike Tice is the O/Lineman Coach for the Bears and has been for the last 2-3 seasons and is an excellent Positon Coach.. RT #60 just manhandled and stomped on Babin all game long.. Tice is the former HC for the Vikings and is a good communicator and will get a chance someday to be a HC again..

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 8, 2011 4:57 pm

Paulman, you’ve been putting up some excellent posts since yesterday. Don;t ruin the streak by suggesting the old meat butcher should be the next Eagles head coach.

Haynsworth?? He was just realeased from a team who’s D may be worse than the Birds. Forget that noise.

As for TO…this team has enough ‘look at me’ prima donnas already.

paulman
paulman
November 8, 2011 5:14 pm

thnx Vinnie,
I don’t mean to so critical and bearer of bad news all the time, but fans have to realize that this team is not playing very well and it ultimately falls on the shoulders of the players in my opinion and they flat out are not doing the job..

Here are my top 3 players on Offense from last night

TE Celek, RB McCoy, Center Kelce
(everyone else from QB Vick to the WR’s to Peters,Herremans played mediocre to poorly and just plain not good enough)

Here are the top players on Defense
Safety Coleman, LB Chaney and DE Graham…
(Cole,Babin,Fokou, Asmo,DCR and Samuel all played poorly)

I listed almost every playmaker and star on the team for having a mediocre to poor game and I stand by it.. I will always continue to call them as I see them even when the news is bad for that’s what this true fan does..I can not stand by idly and hope this team gets on a roll, or hopoe the Giants collapse for it is, what it is, and right now, the Eagles are simply not good enough to compete with the good to better teams in the NFL..

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 8, 2011 5:36 pm

On a related note. Mike Tice was in line in front of me one Saturday afternoon at Pat’s steaks. He ordered 2, but probably because he is gigantic. It was a Saturday before an Eagles’ Jacksonville game (he was coaching Jags for a bit. A game the Birds lost if memory serves….

scorpiodsu
scorpiodsu
November 8, 2011 5:47 pm

I do not think Andy had as big of a stamp on this game. Usually when he really blows a game it’s time management, using timeouts, bad challenges and stuff that’s easily identified. I do think Andy deserves some of the blame for Shady only getting the amount of carries he did. That is his fault. And we can say what we want about the defensive coach but Andy hired him and as long as the defense sucks like this, that’s Andy’s hand on it right there. But last night, the players really had a chance to win. Andy didn’t do anything that really put the players in bad spots. That fake punt was the perfect call but poor execution. The penalties in key situations as well. So in some games it’s clearly some glaring things Andy probably did wrong. But last night I gotta say the players let him and the fans down. Andy’s problem stems from hiring Castillo.

runtheball09
runtheball09
November 8, 2011 5:47 pm

i thought it was a well coached game. the problem is Andy Reid can’t draft for shit

nev856
nev856
November 8, 2011 5:59 pm

things are going to get very interesting if kolb comes in here and gets a W on sunday!

ozzman
ozzman
November 8, 2011 6:08 pm

If a team doesnt come out ready for a big game, that falls on the head coach. Lets stop find any little thing to say its not Reids fault.

drummerwinslow
November 8, 2011 6:13 pm

Paul,

You totally contradicted yourself.

First, you posted:

“I am done blaming the Coaching Staff.”

Then you turned right around and posted:

“Until Coach AR draws a line in the sand and maybe benches or release’s some player or players to get the rest of the squads attention, nothing is going to change.”

If it’s not a coaching problem, why does it require action from the coach?

drummerwinslow
November 8, 2011 6:22 pm

Ozzman

Thank you!

The bottom line is this:

The coach is responsible for wins and losses, and we’re 3-5 (after having spent a king’s ransom to compete for a Superbowl).

How can ANYONE else be blamed?

What exactly does Reid get paid to do?

Who was responsible for Albert Haynesworth’s production in New England?

It was the coach’s responsibility.

“Belichick” took a calculated risk and when “Belichick” saw that “Belichick” had made a mistake, “Belichick” got rid of him.

Did you expect Haynesworth to bench himself, or release himself?

He sure didn’t draft himself or acquire himself through free agency.

paulman
paulman
November 8, 2011 6:25 pm

There is a difference with poor “Scheming , Game Planning , ack of Game time Adjustments and Clock managments, Time Out and Challenge Calls managements and the over accountability from the Coaching Staff to the team and the Team to the Coaching Staff.. I belive strongly that Coach AR has relieved Players too often of Accountability and Responsibility too often and that he always saying it starts with me and I have to do a better job of putting players in better position, etc,etc allows certain players not to man-up and adjust their preparations,focus,etc,etc .. I think there is nothing with calling out a player (in Private) or by removing him from a game when you see a lack of effot, continual missed assignments or just a bad game which is going to happen from time to time to everyone.. I think the continueal coddling and sheltering of the players over time leads to an feeling by certain players of getting too comfortable with their status’s on the team.. If a players isn’t getting the job done and he’s healthy, There is nothing wrong with sitting his butt down for a coupe of series or half or even a game.. These veterans players on the team need to start pulling their weight and yes, it begins with QB Vick the WR’s/ OL and everyone else..

drummerwinslow
November 8, 2011 6:40 pm

Nick

Your article states: “Castillo has done a terrible job with this defense that has studs. But once Castillo gets the players in the right position, it’s up to the players to make the coaches proud.”

When was it determined and by whom, that Castillo has gotten the players in the right position?

If I place Todd Herremans in the safety position, 12-15 yards off the ball, with his eyes trained on the left guard, the QB and the slot receiver, is he in the right position? Absolutely not! Because he’s not fit to play safety.

Now, if put Kurt Coleman in the same position, is he in the right position?

Maybe, maybe not . . . it depends on the type of defense called, the offensive formation, the down and distance, time left in the game, etc.

There are many variables.

So, again, I ask, “When was it determined and by whom, that Castillo has gotten the players in the right position?”

If we just look at the preponderance of the evidence, we’d have to say that Castillo hasn’t put the players in “the right position.” In fact, you said it yourself.

You said, “Castillo has done a terrible job with this defense that has studs.” If they are studs, why aren’t they producing?”

Don’t you find it a bit difficult to believe that suddenly, as if by magic, each and every high-priced free-agent on this team is NOT playing up to his potential?

Nnamdi, DRC, Asante, Cullen Jenkins, Jason Babin, and even Trent Cole.

You certainly can’t believe that they all simultaenously grew old, uninterested or were simply not the players everyone thought they were. That’s quite a stretch, even for someone who desperately wants to absolve Reid.

Jason Babin is the greatest case in point.

While an Eagle, he played so poorly that he was cut. Yet after going to another team, he immediately went to the pro bowl. Then, he came back here and . . . he is suddenly the object of everyone’s ire.

Sorry, Nick, just because you wrote article, it doesn’t change the facts.

Isn’t it the coach’s job to choose players who will “make him proud?”

If so, how can you blame the players?

drummerwinslow
November 8, 2011 6:59 pm

Let’s take a look at one more thing.

When McNabb was here, we had the same type of problems, and he drew the blame. But McNabb is gone. In fact, Reid’s entire roster belongs to him. It is comprised of his players coached by his chosen staff.

Buddy Ryan refused to draft a player until he looked him in the eye. He understood that there were many, many players who could run great 40s or bench press hundreds of pounds, or leap 10 feet off the ground. He understood that the difference between a great player and a mediocre one lied in the heart of the player. Most importantly, he knew how to check that heart.

There are many backs who are bigger, stronger and faster than McCoy, but McCoy has the heart of a champion. The same held true with BWest.

The coach gets paid to identify winning football players, not people who can bench press, run or jump.

Lance Allworth was neither fast nor super strong nor super athletic, but he had the heart of a champion. He didn’t need to be motivated. He was self-motivated, and because of that, he was the very best player he could be. This holds true for countless other athletes throughout time and across the globe.

That works in reverse, too. Look at Albert Haynesworth. The guy is a beast! But he’s unemployed and unemployable.

Can I blame Haynesworth for the Eagles’ defensive problems? No, because he’s not even on our team.

Would Haynesworth have been on our team if the decision were left up him? Probably so. His former coach is here and he probably would have wanted to stick to the Redskins. But everyone on the planet saw that the guy was an unmotivated loser. Even Belichick recognized it. That’s why Haynesworth was given a performance-based contract which made it easy for the team to part ways with him.

It all comes down to the coaching staff. Otherwise, I’d be an Eagle right now, and you certainly wouldn’t want that.

drummerwinslow
November 8, 2011 7:01 pm

If the coaching staff had had me out there playing last night, who would you blame for a poor showing – me or the staff?

tonto5
tonto5
November 9, 2011 12:02 am

Got away from good balance football… 38 thows 16 rushes by McCoy does not seem balanced to me.

tonto5
tonto5
November 9, 2011 12:02 am

38 throws….

MaybeTheyCan
MaybeTheyCan
November 9, 2011 7:49 am

As much as I’ve come to dislike Reid, and think he should’ve run the ball more, I can’t blame him directly for the loss. IMO, it falls primarily on Castillo and that crappy defense. Of course, the team as a whole played very poorly, especially that crappy defense which can’t stop anyu team that is playing sound fundmental football.

I am also of the opinion that the biggest problem with the players is that they all THINK they’re better than they are. You hear it in amny of their comments after evey games and see it in their body language. Unitl they learn that they must fight with all they have to win even a game they’re favored by 9 points in, they’ll continue to be losers. I have no idea how, if at all, Reid and a coaching staff can fix that unitl they start benching bums like DJax has become. I’d love to see Reid bench his ass for a full game and start Smith. Let that over inflated undeserving ego stew for a game AND shake that friggin team up.

paulman
paulman
November 9, 2011 9:36 am

I am not sure how many of you pay attention close enough to how the game unfolded and especailly in the 4th Quarter in which the Bears had the
ball for 9:30 Minutes to the Eagles 5:30 Minutes and since the Eagles were trailing probably had a lot to do with the Eagles having to pass more to try to get yards in bigger chunks than running the Ball..
If was the Defense not stopping the Bears on 3rd Down all game long which put the Eagles Offense in a hole (Bears controlled the Ball for almost 7 Minutes longer that the Eagles and for 4 more minutes in the deciding 4th Quarter)
When the Eagles did have the ball in the 4th, QB VIck never got into a rhythm (and he had good protection in the 4th), but didn’t connect or make any plays with his legs to make anything happen
This was a Total Team Loss from the Offense (Vick and his WR’s) to the Defense (DL to CB’s) to Special Teams (on the botched fake punt) and I put this one on the PLayers and not the Coaches..

paulman
paulman
November 9, 2011 10:06 am

Again watch the 4th Quarter and see what happens (the Eagles had the ball
3 times for a total of 5:30 Minutes)

McCoy has 2 Rushes for NEGATIVE 4 yards..
Vick has 1 Rush 11 Yards on a designed QB Keeper play

Vick passing wise was 7-14 for a total of 74 Yards and was not Sacked once and for the most part had time since the Bears Defense was dropping their LB and Safeties Deeper to prevent a big play.. Vick and the WR’s just didn’t get it done…

I am not going to beat up the Coaches on play calling in the 4th Quarter when Trailing, youhave to get the ball moving down the field and into scoring position… The killer drive to me was the one the Bears started at their own 6 Yard line at the end of the 3rd Quarter after the EAgles marched down and scored on McCoys 33 yard run and took the lead 24-17 and all momentum on their side with the crowd loud and into it and the EAgles Defense let the Bears not only get out of deep hole, but the Bears end up marching down the field (With Barber getting most of the touches) and get a FG to make the game 24-20.. It seemed at that point, the Eagles played “Scared and Defensive” for the remainder of the game on all sides of the ball..
A complete team loss (just like the Falcons,Bills, & 49ers Games)