What They’re Saying About the Eagles
Here’s a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles this week.
The Eagles stayed at No. 13 in ESPN.com’s power rankings. Writes Dan Graziano:
Eagles stay right where they are after their bye week, which is fair. It was, after all, only the second week this year in which they didn’t commit a turnover. We are waiting to see which way to go with the Eagles as they welcome the poll’s No. 1 team to their home Sunday. Another loss could push them into the bottom half. A big win could give folks their anticipated reason to believe the Eagles are capable of big things. I have them 11th, which is down one spot from last week because I decided to make a correction on the Vikings and jump them up a bunch of spots. I’m waiting to see whether I’m wrong about how good the Eagles can be. Not sure yet.
Graziano also takes issue with Danny Watkins’ decision to stop talking to the media:
This always bugs me. Watkins had no problem with the media as long as they were chronicling his super-fun progression from Canadian firefighter on skates to first-round NFL draft pick. But once those same people start pointing out that he needs to play better, he’s got no more use for them. Be a grown-up, dude. You don’t get paid all that money to play football — you get paid all that money because you play football in public. There are plenty of places you could go where nobody would ever write a word about you, but your car wouldn’t be as nice.
Elliot Harrison of NFL.com has the Eagles 14th:
The Philadelphia Eagles are your 14th-best team in football, firmly positioned behind an Arizona team that manhandled them 27-6 a few weeks ago. New defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has his work cut out for him with the high-powered offenses of the Falcons and Saints next on the docket. New Orleans is are third in scoring, Atlanta sixth. Andy Reid’s high-powered attack? 30th. Good thing Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was let go. Now that offense will really explode.
Brian Billick of FoxSports.com has the Eagles 17th:
For as bad as it’s been in Philadelphia, the Eagles still maintain a .500 record and are have only one more loss than the first-place Giants in the NFC East.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Eagles 13th:
New coordinator on defense is just a sign that Andy Reid is trying to save his own ass. Mike Vick could be the next to go.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the Eagles 16th:
Middle of the pack is just good enough for Reid to pack it in.
Pro Football Weekly publishes a list of anonymous nuggets from coaches, scouts and front-office people each week. Sounds like someone has an axe to grind with Howie Roseman:
“The front-office situation in Philadelphia is not a good one. Scouts are not allowed to talk to coaches during training camp. You’re talking about some scouts who have known the coaches for years. Coaches coach, scouts scout and that’s the way it is. It’s not a happy environment. It’s a divisive, paranoid place, and it’s hard to grow and jell as a team in that type of setting. That’s the result of hiring a very insecure GM who does not know football.”
Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com looks at what could be next for Andy Reid if he’s let go after the season:
Reid would be a coveted coaching free agent should his tenure end in Philadelphia, and it may be worth noting in light of the Chargers’ struggles that Reid lives in the San Diego area. There has been speculation linking Reid to the Browns should he part ways with the Eagles after the season, with the hiring of ex-Eagles president Joe Banner in Cleveland last week fueling that speculation, but sources said it would be an extreme long shot to see Reid and Banner working together again.
Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.