• March 28, 2024

The Pain Of Being An Eagles Fan

Being an Eagles fan since 1988 has brought me my fair share of disappointment. Every year ends the same as the one before it. In early February I will watch as some other team hoists the Lombardi trophy while the Eagles sit home and talk about next year. And then next year will come and rest assured they will let me down.

Through all my years as a fan, it always ends the same. But other than the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, I can’t think of another Eagles season that has left me feeling as disappointed as this one. This team had more than enough talent to make a championship run. Sure, they had their deficiencies, but the overall ability of this year’s squad should have overcome that and given the fans reason to celebrate. Sadly, that didn’t happen.

The Eagles finished the 2011 season with a meaningless 34-10 victory over the Redskins that left many fans wondering the usual “what if.” What if rookie kicker Alex Henery doesn’t miss two makeable field goals and the Eagles don’t blow a 23-3 second half lead against the San Francisco 49ers?

What if Michael Vick divulges his rib injury to the coaching staff early enough in the Arizona game that they could have made the adjustments necessary to win a game they had no business losing?

What if they don’t blow five fourth quarter leads early in the season? What if, what if, what if? Of course none of this means anything now, and the Eagles have no one to blame but themselves. Sure, they turned the season around, and by winning their last four games prevented what would have been only the third losing season during the Andy Reid era. But at the end of the day the result is nothing more than another trophy-less season in the city of Philadelphia.

Through all the disappointment, however, Andy Reid does deserve some credit. He somehow convinced his players to keep playing hard for him and they didn’t quit. They showed some grit these last four weeks and it is a testament to a coach who didn’t quit either.

He even seemed to somehow get through to Desean Jackson, as the mercurial wide receiver played harder and with more focus these final four games than he did at any point prior. I still think the time has come to move on and start fresh with a new coach and new philosophy, but that’s not going to happen.

Reid gave Jeffery Lurie enough reason to stick with him for at least another year. And with the way the defense played the last four games, there’s a good chance we see Juan Castillo cheerleading his way up and down the sidelines in 2012. No one knows for sure how it’s going to play out, but it would be a huge shock to see anyone but Big Red controlling this franchise anytime in the near future.

What drives me crazier than anything else is the way he had this team ready to play when everything in the world had to fall their way in order to just make the playoffs. They beat the Dolphins on the road when Miami was hot and the Eagles were coming off that debacle in Seattle. They followed that up with a dominating performance against a Jets team that (although fraudulent) was a Super Bowl contender themselves going into the season.  A few weeks ago, they went to Dallas and almost shut out the Cowboys and then they end the season with a blowout over the Redskins. So why wait until now to start playing like you mean it? Why wait until December to start playing good football?

If Reid had this team ready to play September and October the way he had them set to play the last four weeks, there’s a good chance they aren’t playing next week because they’d be on a bye. But instead of getting ready for the playoffs, the Eagles will be on a bye until training camp opens up in late July. And then another disappointing season can get under way.

If someone came up to me on September 11, 2011 and told me on New Year’s Day the Eagles offense would have gained more yards than any other in franchise history, that they would be the only team in the NFL with both an offense and defense ranked in the top ten, and that they would have a running back with 20 total touchdowns, I’d start trying to think of ways to score tickets for the NFC Championship game at the Linc.

Not once would the thought of not making the playoffs even seep into my mind. But somehow, this team pulled off the impossible. They took an absolute perfect storm of opportunity and turned it into a huge crapfest. This season will go down as probably the most disappointing in all my years as a fan. The talent was there. This should have been the year. Instead, I’ll be watching again in early February as some other team wins the one trophy that has never seen its way to the City of Brotherly Love.

John Bucci

Read Previous

Looking Back At LeSean McCoy’s Outstanding Season

Read Next

Sixers Came Back To Beat The Hornets, Now For The Home Opener

0 0 votes
Article Rating
63 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
January 5, 2012 4:32 pm

The best line out of this article

Andy Reid does deserve some credit. He somehow convinced his players to keep playing hard for him and they didn’t quit. They showed some grit these last four weeks and it is a testament to a coach who didn’t quit either.

Nope – it was only the fans that quit (but hey, they are smart, passianate and knowledgable – and they are making Lurie rich so that ensured they would never have abad season – Joe Banner said they were all in) – the coaches and players played hard – to the end – they showed guts and character – many of the fans (especially on here) gave up – and are planning to give up on next year as well – hey – I heard Green Bay will be really good next year – you guys can go check them out –

nev856
nev856
January 5, 2012 4:50 pm

it is very painful being an eagles fan , if this was a 5 game win streak we are in the hunt !! problem is where was the GRIT in seattle ?

schiller
schiller
January 5, 2012 4:54 pm

My father always taught me “sports is pain”. It’s the pain that makes victories so enjoyable. The Phillies World Series win wouldn’t have been so sweet if we’d won it the year before…

I bet that Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys fans are feeling a lot of pain now too. Sure they’ve had superbowl wins in their history, but I find it hard to believe that those ease the current pain.

pheags88
pheags88
January 5, 2012 5:08 pm

“Reid gave Jeffery Lurie enough reason to stick with him for at least another year.”

Is that a joke?…The predicament itself, way before this pathetic season even started, made Lurie’s decision, not Reid….Keeping him was based on 2 factors in my mind which had nothing to do with him getting his team to finally show up (only week 14 guys but hey atleast they showed up) to beat up on below average teams with terrible QBs. Remember, like Lurie said himself, that was just fools gold…5-11 to me would have given the same press conference from Lurie.

1: Vick…this guy is already up there in age and still has serious deficiencies…what are you just going to have a new coach come in so Vick can learn a whole new system? Hmmmm Nope.

2: Reid has two years left on contract…You really think the businessman Lurie is going to pay Reid millions for TWO years?…Hmmmm Nope.

If i had to bet on it…this will be the last season for Reid and Vick on the team.

Erock
Erock
January 5, 2012 6:11 pm

We’re some suffering sons of b!tchs aint we fellahs?Im ranking the NFCC we lost to the Bucs as a more dissapointing end to this year. We had a squad that woulda ran through that Raiders team in the bowl. I think that sets us up to win multiple titles in those years. Walrus screwed that up too.

This year was just one f up after another….you cant blow leads in this league and you can get your sh!T together in week 12. Thats on the players as much as the coach. Did Andy or Juan hold the ball like a loaf of bread after catchinga rocket screen against the Niners? Did they not make tackles in the Falcs game? Not make a f’n play against the Cards? Lets not forget Jarrett gets his hands on the post that Fitz ended up hauling in.Point being its on the whole org.. Yes, i can lay blame on Walrus for the Juan move.Starting Matthews? Did he single handidly lose a game for us? No. Defense is sposed to be a unit. Pick up the slack. Every defender was out of posiition multiple times in the Bills game.Giants game? Same deal.

Tough year,yet again.But im already moving on and eyeing the draft and FA. Get it right and lets win this sorry division. Even after the Giants finish im still looking at the Birds as the best in the division. A 5-1 record was impressive.Wasnt enough.Go phills.

Monolith
Monolith
January 5, 2012 6:31 pm

THe Pain of being an Eagle’s Fan? Wha uh?

Really, get real dude, there are 32 teams in the NFL, every last one has the same goal, each make the same fan promises. Based on last year alone I count 25 fan bases that had more pain than us freaking Eagles Fans. Get over your self entitled selves. Look I want a Superbowl also don’t get it twisted, don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy having a competitive team. Yeah we got bounced from the big games an they are worth talking about.

Rocko
Rocko
January 5, 2012 6:33 pm

Yeah What if Reid didn’t sit Desean, What if Reid ran the ball the first half of the season with the best back, what if Reid had gotten a real D Coordinator; yeah what if what if what if…you’re right, a complete “crapfest.”

Monolith
Monolith
January 5, 2012 6:42 pm

My complain I guess is people that come on here and act like they have nothing but torment since Reid has been here which is “BS”. Unless you are under 30 and can’t remember really bad seasons. Vermeil gave us a couple good seasons then got his arse handed to him by The Raiders in the Superbowl.

Are you saying that the Falcons fans have less pain than us, how about the lions Shiiiiii…. one good season and they are a better organization than ours! 7 years of top 5 draft picks hell its about dam time.

Not complaining about your views on Reid or FO’s decisions at times, I get that. What burns me up is guys come on here and act like they have the fans of a team that had 5 straight losing seasons.

Any team that guarantees a Superbowl is a damn fool, any fan base that believes said garantee is a damn fool. The best any team can do, the very best they can do is play the games, and hope that lady fortune is with you.

Fortune has not been with us, the organization has made mistakes but are we like the Colts who lose one key player and the defense and offense fall apart. Could the Patriots win without Brady Hell no. But we lose a #1 and #2 QB and keep rolling along. We lose Westbrook and find a way to win, to make us fans happy. No Reid has built teams that withstand drama, lose of players, injuries, and change, This season changes were to much, but it will workout next season.

We may never win a superbowl with any coach, that might be the cards that will be handed us (I don’t beleive that is true)

My point 1)Don’t throughout our past Success 2)Don’t act like losers 3)Don’t make negative excusses for our past successes.

Reid In or Out; FO good or sucks; player talent no talent;No Superbowls or Conferance Champs is not my issue. The acting like you have gotten nothing out of this partnershipas fans is my issue.

andrew p
andrew p
January 5, 2012 7:26 pm

navyeaglefan, they sure did show grit beating the likes of Matt Moore, Mark Sanchez, that 3rd string QB from Dallas, and your faviorite, Rex Grossman. 1-4 against teams with winning records and 30th in Red Zone D. Lets just hope they bring your boy Castillo back, we should give him credit though, he did improve our Red Zone D from 31st the year before to 30th.

paulman
paulman
January 5, 2012 7:59 pm

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda is for Losers, the Reality of this 2011 Season is that the entire Team from it’s Front Office/GM to Coach AR and his Staff right on down to the players underperformed and made too many poor jedgements, decisions and plays as a Team.. They finished 8-8, They are average and did not deserve or earn the right to make the Playoffs.. It happens, teams have bad seasons from time to time, Am I upset, no, not really because what Can I do about it besides say “I told you so”, This team was very dysfunctionable and undisciplined from Summer CAmp, thru Pre-Season thru the 1st half of the Season, and the fact they started out the Season 1-4, then climbed to 4-7 by the time the leaves changed colors, making the Post-Season was not a reality, why should I be pissed about 2 months later.. I am happy they finished the Season strong and played much better to finsh 4-0 and the fact that they finished 5-1 in the NFC East which gives them some positives to build on for next Season.. Every Team, every Season takes on a unique personality which is different from Season to Season.. Eagles need to week out the bad attitudes with players who don’t want to be here, (D-Jax/Samuel) they also need to rid themselves on 1 Year Rent A Players (VY,Steve Smith, R Brown) and start building a more cohesive roster who play hard, fast and for each other instead of worrying about individual Statistics.. Give me 53 “Brent Celeks” who may not be the msiot talented TE in the NFL but was out there busting his ass and playing each play to the whistle and hear he is 2-3 days after the Season end having a double surgery and not whining to the media, saying , these injuries slowed me down,etc,etc… Celek.s a true Football Player, a warriors of days gone by and I want to salute hom on a grat season and being a stand up player who takes repsonsibility when things go bad and works his butt off to improve his game.. I hope that some of the other players and “stars” on this team share that same passion and committment….

paulman
paulman
January 5, 2012 8:03 pm

One thing that does piss me off.. Who cares who you beat, you play the games on your schedule.. Does anyone in Atlanta, San Franciso, New England , NY Giants who are all playing this weekend sit around and say..”We’ll yes, one of our victories this Season was against the Eagles, so maybe were aren’t a Playoff team afterall” … You play to win the games and as many of them as you can…

schiller
schiller
January 5, 2012 8:03 pm

Andrew, and they were supposed to do what against those teams? Or were they supposed to boycott the games until the league gave them better competition at the end of the year? Classic case of a hater making excuses for wins. Nobody is saying that they beat good teams during the last few weeks. But they can only play the teams on their schedule.

paulman
paulman
January 5, 2012 8:29 pm

Other News arounf the NFL

San Diego Chargers fired DC Greg Manusky after 1 Season, Mausky was the Bronco’s DC under Josh McDanieils for 2 Seasons without much success there.. Look for Manusky to go back to being a DL or LB Position Coach somewhere.

Jeff Fisher to Interview with the Rams Friday after a supposed good interview with the Dolphins yesterday… My sense is if things go well in ST Louis, that he will become the next HC for the Rams.. I also expect the the Rams to talk to former Colt GM Bill Polian to see if he’s interested in joining the Rams Front Office.. Remember that the ST Cardinals won the World Series last Year and the Rams are going to want to make some noise and some big names to get this Franchise back on it’s feet again and competitive..

College notes
Oklahoma WB Landri Jones is going to remain at Oklahoma and return for his Senior Season as is Wisconsin’s RB Monte Ball which was surprising to many
WR A Jeffrery from South Carolina and DT J Worthy Michigan State are both leaving to enter the NFL Draft.. Both Jeffrey and WOrth project to be mid-late 1st Round Selections with good showings at Indy Combines next month..
OLB Ronnell Lewis from Oklahoma (6-2 245lbs) has decided to leave school and enter the NFL Draft.. He’s Projected to be a mid-late 2nd Rounder and could be on the Eagles Radar with one of their 2 2nd Round Picks.. Lewis is ranked as the 4th Best OLB by ESPN Scouts,Inc.. (he did have a minor Knee injury forcing him to miss the last month of the Season and was suspended for their Bowl game for missing too many Classes.. so he definitely has some risk and some off-the field issues.. (reports from Norman Ok that HC Bob Stoops was happy to see him go..)

jakedog
jakedog
January 5, 2012 9:44 pm

rocko and pheags pretty much nailed it with their posts, no way in hell was lurie scrapping Reid with 2 on the books, especially with at least one more year with Vick, after next year wholesale changes, new coach, new quarterback

pheags88
pheags88
January 5, 2012 10:24 pm

“Who cares who you beat, you play the games on your schedule.. Does anyone in Atlanta, San Franciso, New England , NY Giants who are all playing this weekend sit around and say”

Paulman I disagree big time here buddy, We care who we beat because we did not make the playoffs…which means in order for us to get better next year we need to look at who we beat to see where we stand in the NFL…are you going to learn about where your players/coaches stand in the fact that we almost shut out Stephen Mcgee(whoever the hell that 3rd string QB was) or in the fact that this defense and castillo were Brady’s bitch?

When you make the playoffs like the teams you mentioned then it doesn’t matter who you beat because you know you did enough and thats all that matters…Huge difference when you don’t make the playoffs. then it matters

drummerwinslow
January 5, 2012 10:52 pm

On the flip side, does it matter who beat us?

Does it matter that the Cards, Rams and Seahawks beat us?

Does it matter that back-up QBs beat us?

pheags88
pheags88
January 5, 2012 11:02 pm

Drummer, how does it not when you don’t make the playoffs because your team and coaching staff failed miserably? You obviously want to improve your team and see where they stand right? Again are you going to do that by seeing how your team played against JP Losman and Rex Grossman and his bum receivers (who had actually beat our superior coverages but had a QB who could not make an accurate throw)? Or are you going to figure out how to improve based on how the Pats could of scored 75 on us if they decided not to instill mercy on us?

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
January 5, 2012 11:32 pm

Andrew P – so what – who freakin cares – at the end of the day the game is one of three things happens at the end of every game – a win a lose or a draw – it is that simple – and – if at the end of the season you have enough wins – you go to the playoffs, where one of two things happen – you win – you play again – you lose you don’t

funny thing is 99% of you will sooo oversimplify the complicated things – and yet the most basic (win, lose or draw) you guys will try to over analyze

As far as who we beat and who we didn’t I just care at this point we didn;t win one more game – I could care less which 3rd stringer – which QB was playing with hemmorhoids – or who had a bad case of jocj itch – win one more – still playing – this isn;t high school – you don;t get bonus points for taking Ap classes – you win or you don’t

just to drive the point home – the year the giants won the super bowl – every team they beat in the playoffs beat them during the regular season – the cowboys beat them twice….

and you don;t look at the loses to figure out what went wrong – you look at EVERY game – becuase in every game things went right and in every game things went wrong.. again – this is like football 101….
now you guys want to fall over yourselves hyper anaylzing and classifying – do we get bonus points that two of our loses were with a back up QB?

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
January 5, 2012 11:35 pm

and Pheags – again big NFL here – what team (Kansas city maybe) wasn’t BRady’s bitch this year – maybe the reason he will be a HOF first ballot guy? maybe? ya think… you know BRees and the Saints have a good offense too

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
January 6, 2012 4:47 am

This day is all so familiar.

“GROUNDHOG DAY”

Did Andy see is shadow or will there be 13 more years in football hell?

btc24
btc24
January 6, 2012 9:44 am

Navy, the Chiefs were Brady’s bitch almost more than any other team this year. But the Patriots did lose to the Steelers, Bills, and Giants. Even the Cowboys were able to contain them and lost at the last second. The Dolphins lost by a field goal.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
January 6, 2012 9:59 am

BTC – yeah – Steelers did a good job, dallas and giants too – the Pats averaged 40 a game (31 and 49) againt the bills –

The birds played about 1qtr and then flopped – no other way to say it –

btc24
btc24
January 6, 2012 10:23 am

Agreed. Hell, even the Redskins were right there with em till the end.

paulman
paulman
January 6, 2012 10:25 am

TO Pheags,
Te Eagels did not deserve to be a playoff and are indeed not a playoff team.
I got over back 3 months ago when they started 1-4 and then were at 3-6,
after those back to back home losses to Bears & Cardinals did it for me. Even though they still had a mathematical chance since the NFC EAst was so shitty this year, they proved to me that they simply were not a playoff caliber team in 2011, so I am glad they did not make it for they did not deserve it and maybe it will make the entire Organization work harder and more importantly, work smarter this off-season… I bet if they snuck in at the last minute, this Team and entire Organization would not be as humbled and hungry in the off-season, thinking everything was ok when it clearly is not..
Eating a little crow every once in a while is not such a bad thing and this Organization from the Front Office,Coaching Staff, Players and yes, some even in the local media as well as some fans can use a little humility and step down off that pedestal which was unduly created and hyped up to begin with…

Stevo
Stevo
January 6, 2012 10:25 am

Suck it up- move on. Try being a fan for 32 years or longer like some of these guys.

paulman
paulman
January 6, 2012 12:04 pm

I am nowhere near as dissapointed than after that Super Bowl loss in 1980 to the Raiders beause the EAgles were probably the best Team in the NFL that season or even the NFC Championship losses to the TB Bucs, Panthers were more disappointing since the Eagles were favored, the more talented team but failed to perform and basically choked …
With this year’s team, I was one of the few who questioned some of the pick-ups they made they made and was not on the bandwagon that this team was Super Bowl Bound.. Some of us knew the DC Castillo would have his hands full and that adding so many new players, while changing schemes with a new Coaching Staff would going to take some time for everyone to get on the same page.. I also felt that if D-Jax Contact was extended or improved, that he would pout and be a distractions which he was.. I though Vick would down to earth and play more like his Carreer Stats would indicate but in no way did I think he would be as careless of the ball as he ended up being which really cost the Eagles the chance to start 3-3 which they really needed to do for a legitimate playoff run..
But it’s water under the bridge now. but the Eagles need to cut ties with the 1 Year Rental players in VY,R Brown,S Smith, and decide what they are going to do about D-Jax and CB Samuel, and they need to resolve what the plan is for these 2 players before the Draft Weekend in my opinion so they can plan on who to Draft accordingly..

timm00
timm00
January 6, 2012 1:02 pm

What we’re all seeing right now is how awesome andy reid is. He’s successfully gotten control of the entire football operation, purging (or outliving) everyone who in past years had a credible voice in what players come/leave, what schemes would be implemented, and the weekly game plan. They’re all gone. Johnson, Modrak, etc. He can’t even tolerate on-field leaders who can help.

Reid has total complete control of everything that directly leads to wins and losses.

Since Jim Johnson’s passing, the defense has been handed over to people who owe Reid fealty – guaranteeing a loyal sycophant to “yes sir!” anything Reid dictates. This sort of setup is a guaranteed disaster in almost any type of organization. It’s not a coincidence that the Eagles are moving backwards since Johnson died. It was inevitable given how thin-skinned and stubborn Reid is.

And because of that, you can bet the house, the car, and anything else you can put up as collateral, that the Eagles will not make the playoffs next year. Guaranteed. I don’t need to know names of who they will draft – just that Reid and his yes-man Roseman will be the ones picking – to know what the impact on 2012 will be.

schiller
schiller
January 6, 2012 1:26 pm

timm00 – uh, wtf are you talking about? Because an old GM was fired and one of his proteges was hired, the new one is just a puppet? You’re telling me that Bill Belicheat doesn’t have control of that football team? That McCarthy doesn’t control the Packers?

And seriously, Mudd, Washburn, Lynn, Caldwell…. all non Reid people brought in this last year. They brought in (I forget his name) but another former head coach/D coordinator guy as a personel scout for draft help a few years back.

The picture you’re painting of Reid demanding control of every specific aspect seems WAY exagerrated. You’re dilusional buddy.

schiller
schiller
January 6, 2012 1:31 pm

Timm – I’d love to show Bill Parcells, Bill Walsh or frankly any NFL coach your post and watch them laugh or groan…..

Danimal
Danimal
January 6, 2012 1:34 pm

Rocko – McCoy had 135 carries in the first seven games and 138 in the remaining eight in which he played. His carries vacillated a bit each week, but in general they slightly decreased over the season. They did not increase as you indicated.

timm00
timm00
January 6, 2012 2:25 pm

schiller, I guess you’ve been blessed in a way that has prevented you from having to deal with control freaks. I’m jealous.

Your problem is that you have the events EXACTLY backwards.

Reid hired every single one of the people you named. Read that sentence again. Reid decides who he would work with – not the other way around.

If Reid didn’t previously decide he wanted a wide-9 defense, he’d have never brought in Washburn. If you think that Reid’s could put his feverish arrogance in check long enough for Washburn to be hired as a regular line coach and then allow Washburn to convince him to go with a wide-9, then you are way beyond delusional.

In fact, Washburn’s own clear and outspoken disdain for elevating himself to any position higher than a line coach made him especially enticing to a megalomaniac like Reid. Sign Babbin or someone else that he likes and Washburn is happy as a pig in crap. Ironically, this defense is crap.

Everything about Reid screams control freak. From the first day he waddled into Philly and immediately demanded that all phone calls to his radio show had to be pre-screened – something never done with interview formats in this town previously – his persona exuded it.

Also, you named a bunch of Super Bowl winning coaches who had or demanded a lot of control. How many ACTUALLY had complete and total control of all player and personnel management? The only one I know of was Parcells. In fact, didn’t Parcells quit the Patriots because the owner wouldn’t give in to Parcells’ every demand? Do you think their ownership decided to do different for Belichick?!? Also, once Parcells got all the power he wanted in NYJ and Dallas, how did he do? Playoff record of 1-3.

paulman
paulman
January 6, 2012 2:46 pm

To Dan the Man

A couple of things about McCoys decrease in carries as the Season went along

#1) Deffenses starting the Season playing 2 SAfeties back to pretect against the Eagles deep speed of D=JAx/MAclin opening up the Run Game
#2) Eagles WR’s started Season poorly, Eagles RB MCCoy off to a good start so Eagles ran the ball more (as they should have)
#3) Switch to mid to late-Season– D-Jax slumping and in a funk, Vick Hurting, Maclin out, Teams Defenses start to load the box to stop RB McCoy
#4) End of Season- VIck back, D-Jax appears more focus and determined and McCoy was still opponents focus on stopping which did open up the passing game which the Eagles took advantage of versus the Jets/Redskins
#5) RB McCoy does not dress or play in the finish game meaning he would have probably had 15-18 More Carries to his Season Stats..

Rocko
Rocko
January 6, 2012 2:52 pm

Danimal – if you look at McCoys stats above this message of mine that Paulman so kindly listed, you’ll see the break down of McCoy this season. Also, that still doesn’t answer the what if questions concerning: why was castillo the D-Coord, and why was D-Jax benched?

Rocko
Rocko
January 6, 2012 2:57 pm

Rather, not why was D-Jax benched, but why during a critical stage during the season which could of been addressed after the season etc. Also, as to why would you give this playmaker defense to a coach who never coached defense before if you and the front office claim to be “all in” this season. Reid isn’t to quick on the thought process because he’d rather please and promote his buddy Castillo, rather than think of the needs of the loyal fans of our eagles. Just backwards kinda stuff man.

paulman
paulman
January 6, 2012 3:49 pm

A often overlooked scenario on why Castillo was chosen as the DC..
Remember the DL Washburn was already hired as the new DL coach before securing a DC.. Remember that not all potential candidates like to work with Washburn’s Wide 9 Style for philosophical reasons and probably turned off some potential experienced candidates which is why the few names that Coach AR did interview were all young and pretty much unproven DC’s who would have made a step to the the DC Position .. There is a reason the Wide 9 is only run by about 3 teams in the NFL, you have to have great LB’s to really make it work and strong Safety play and we all know that was a real weakness or ? going into the 2011 Season with all the young players in those postions
The Real question may have been, why not hire a real,experienced DC first and then let that Coordinator then go hire his staff… (DL/LB/Secondary)
This was another huge mis-calculation by Coach AR.. HE simply put 2-3 coaches together from different backgrounds,different schemes and strengths and weaknessned then asked Juan Castillo to put it all together.. I will probably sound stupid too many or sound like I am making excuses, but Castillo I believe did a pretty good job considering the circumstances,the changeover in players and coaches all in a very compressed time frame..

paulman
paulman
January 6, 2012 3:55 pm

In a nutshell, Coach AR may have not been able to get any other committments from anyone else he liked due to already having Washburn signed,sealed, and delivered for 2 Seasons.. Coach Castillo may have been one of the few options he had and at least AR trusts and knows how Castillo operatres Washburn has a very strong personality and is not every other Coaches cup of tea.. Some of the experienced DC’s that AR may have talked were not interested in working with from a personality side as well as not wanting to employ the Wide 9 Scheme..

schiller
schiller
January 6, 2012 4:35 pm

Tim – Yeah, I guess I have been blessed. But you have also been misled – you should understand that the definition of a head coach of an NFL team is having power and control. You know what, the president of the United States also gets to pick his cabinet. Similarly, a CEO can say who gets hired and fired. Take some time to digest that. Ask a friend for a lesson on how coaches, bosses, and the like have power. It might be enlightening for you.

HE’S A HEAD – let me say it again HEAD COACH.

There’s nothing differnet about Reid’s situation than any other team, other than the length of his tenure.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
January 6, 2012 4:41 pm

two excellent articels on Philly.com – the first is a discussion of Spags verse Castillo – the second is 50 numbers about the eagles – nice tidbits hidden in both

timm00
timm00
January 6, 2012 5:22 pm

No schiller, I’m not misled. You are simply incorrect.

Reid is not the Head Coach. He is “Head Coach Executive VP Of Football Operations”. It’s not a secret. It’s been that for a long time (http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/staff.html). His employees include the coaches, the GM, and anyone else that relates directly to guys putting on equipment and going onto the field.

Please don’t bother trying to enlighten me on this until you get some facts right first.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
January 6, 2012 8:21 pm

Eagles were 1-4 against playoff teams this year. I’ve read a lot of posts about HOW TERRIBLE this is.

Lets look at all the other playoff teams and see where the Eagles’ fit in….

Detroit: 1-4 against playoff teams
NYG: 1-3 vs playoff teams
ATL: 1-4 vs playoff teams
NE: 1-2 vs playoff teams (one win against Denver)
Cinci: 0-6 vs playoff teams
Pitt 3-4 vs playoff teams (and 2 of those are Cinci)

So…according to multiple posters, the Eagles’ suck because Reid can’t beat “good” teams. Seems like a lot of other playoff participants are in the same boat.

There are only 5 teams (out of 32) that had +.500 records vs playoff teams. (and remember, several of these wins are against “playoff” teams like CInci and Det).
Houston 3-2 vs playoff teams
Balt: 5-0 vs playoff teams
Sf: 4-0 vs playoff teams
New Orleans: 6-1 against playoff teams
GB: 5-0 vs playoff teams

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
January 6, 2012 8:50 pm

Vinnie – yet again – thanks – the um… knowledgable fans just need a little help –

schiller
schiller
January 6, 2012 8:56 pm

Vinnie, watch out there, you’re using brain cells… that’s dangerous business around these parts

paulman
paulman
January 6, 2012 9:08 pm

**Breaking Eagles News***
eagles sign WR/Returnman MArdy Gilyard (formerly of the SL Rams)
HE’s 5’11 195lbs and can fly.. He had 204 Career Receptions for over 3,000yards and 25 TD’s which playing 3 Seasons for the University of Cincinnati
He will comepte for a full time Returnman and probably a 5th WR
His biggest assest his is ppure Speed, he needs to work on his route-running and catchign the ball from NFL QB..
He was a 4th Round Pick for the Rams in 2010 and caught 6 Catches for 65 yeards in limited duty as a Rookie.. He was injured this past Summer Camp with the rams (Hanstring issues) and never got his Pre-Season off the ground and was one of the final cuts in the Rams Camp.. he has potential, is a hard working kids with a lot of upside, needs to get a little stronger and work on technique and route running at the NFL Level.. Right now he is pretty much a straight-ahead type of Deep Route pass Receiver (think of a younger Donte Stallworth)
are the Eagles getting their return duties taken care and maybe use an early Draft pick to get a Big WR (this Draft has wquite a few good,big WR’s which may mean that D-Jax has played his final game as an Eagle..

timm00
timm00
January 7, 2012 3:17 pm

Vinnie, you and your friends don’t like to think things all the way through.

The records you write out as proof that Reid is a great coach tend to leave one other important piece. What you’ve done very well is make an outstanding case that Houston (although their QB status may invalidate them), Baltimore, San Francisco, New Orleans, and GB (to a lesser degree, Pittsburgh) are FAR more likely to win the Super Bowl than the others with poor records against better teams.

That’s not what you’ve intended. But you’ve show that several teams (those with poor records against good teams) are very likely to end up out of the playoffs the same way that the Eagles have done over the last several tries.

paulman
paulman
January 7, 2012 5:16 pm

**Breaking Eagles News***
Eagles Terminate Def/Secondary Coach Johnny Lynne effective immediately
More changes to be coming …

paulman
paulman
January 7, 2012 9:02 pm

Colts are interviewing Eagles Director of Player Personnel Ryan Grigson for their Open GM Spot.. Whose going to help/assist GM Roseman if Grigson moves on…. Grigson has been employed 9 Years with the Eagles in various Scouting Positions and oversaw the College Scouting Dept for 4 Years befroe getting promoted in 2010 to the Director of PLayer Personnel which is 2nd in command under GM Roseman… Grigson formerly works for th Rams during the Vermiel Super Bowls Season and is originally from HIghland Indiana which is about 2 hours north of Indianapolis….
Lots of moving parts going on around the NFL to do impact the Eagles…

paulman
paulman
January 7, 2012 9:05 pm

Chances are, if Grigson moves on, the Eagles woudl most likely promote Lou Riddick from Director of Pro Personnel to the Director of Player Personnel which oversees the College Scouting , the Draft grading as well as other teams Pro Rosters, Free-Agents, etc,etc….. ( I am going to send to my Resume)

paulman
paulman
January 7, 2012 9:46 pm

Great game between the Lions and SAints 14-10 At halftime which is a lower score than I and probably many were expecting.. I am sure both teams will be in the 30’s by games end..
Lions QB Stafford having a great 1st Half.. Is this WR Calvin Johnson just an animal or what..Big Strong, not afraid of contact and in fact, is usually the one that iniates putting out punishment to the DB attempting to tackle him…
2 TO’s (Fumbles by Brees and Colston) have hut the Saints …
Lions LB S Tulloch leads the Lions with 6 Tackles so far

This one will come down to the final possession most likely…

Eagles have both these teams on the Schedule next Season.. Yikes..

Rocko
Rocko
January 7, 2012 9:51 pm

I believe Cowher will be our coach next year if Reid doesn’t bring us a superbowl; just wait and see I tell you.

paulman
paulman
January 7, 2012 9:58 pm

Other NFL News

-Reports are that Fisher will accept the Rams Offer and be named HC on Monday
-Dolphins set to Interview Packers Off/Coordiantor Joe Philbin
-Patriots re-hire Josh McDaniels as O/Coordinator to replace O”Brien who is accepted the Penn State HC position..McDaniels had a terrible season as OC with the Rams who did not have the talent to play his various formations and thick book of Offensive plays
– KC Chiefs to name interimHC Romeo Crennell as permanent HC

– Former TB BUC HC Raheem Morris specializes and got his Start as a Secondary Coach.. and may be talking to a few teams that have needs and openings like the Vikings & Eagles..