What They’re Saying About the Eagles

Here’s the weekly roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles, including a call for Andy Reid to return and praise for Nick Foles.

SI.com’s Don Banks sizes up the Eagles’ regular-season home finale:

So I suppose that’s the way it had to end in front of the home crowd for Andy Reid, after this lost season in Philadelphia. With rookie quarterback Nick Foles being called for what amounts to an intentional grounding with one second remaining, the Eagles at the Washington 5-yard line, and the Redskins holding a precarious 27-20 lead. Because Foles’ pass attempt didn’t get back to the line of scrimmage, there was an automatic 10-second clock run-off required — which was nine seconds more than the Eagles had in their possession.

Running out of time in the most painful ways possible was kind of the story of Reid’s final year in Philadelphia.

Elliot Harrison of NFL.com has the Eagles 28th in his power rankings:

The Philadelphia Eagles fought back against one of pro football’s hottest teams in the Washington Redskins. But, as has often been the case in 2012, Philly fell short. Nick Foles contributed to the loss — particularly with a big first-half fumble caused by Ryan Kerrigan — but he also competed his tail off, completing 32 of 48 passes for 345 yards and a touchdown. Is Foles the answer in 2013? Maybe. You can’t doubt that some of the traits he brings are superior to those of Michael Vick, starting with accuracy. Unfortunately, Foles has played his last game of the season, as a broken hand will keep him out of the finale.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Eagles 29th:

Now it’s back to Mike Vick for one last game. Andy Reid and Mike Vick, together on the train out of town.

Pat Kirwan of NFL.com thinks the Eagles should keep Andy Reid and let him develop the team’s young talent:

The Philadelphia Eagles may be a game away from making a coaching change after 14 years of quality work by Andy Reid. I think it’s a big risk to take for a franchise that has a proven winner in Reid. So the Eagles have had a few poor seasons. But did you watch the game this weekend against the Redskins? There is a lot of promise on that roster right now as Reid and his staff develop a young group of new players.

Rookie QB Nick Foles threw for 345 yards. Run his numbers from his six games out for a whole season and he would be projected for 4,500 yards, 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. There’s something to develop in Foles.

Also, Riley Cooper, Colt Anderson, Brandon Graham, Dennis Kelly, Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks, Brandon Boykin and Bryce Brown are a very interesting group of young men who could be the core to rebuild this franchise. It’s going to be a shame if someone else gets the opportunity instead of Reid.

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com likes what he sees out of Nick Foles:

Eagles quarterback Nick Foles keeps showing something every week. There is enough to work with at least for this offseason, and it will be very interesting to see what the next coach in Philadelphia thinks of him. You could do a whole lot worse, seems to me, and I am not sure you are going to be able to do much better in what looks like a watered-down draft class and given the limited options in free agency. Get that offensive line improved (maybe Jason Peters is back at left tackle), stick with a more balanced offensive approach and give the kid a full 2013 to show what more he can do.

Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports offers his take on the Eagles’ loss to the Redskins:

Sad to see Andy Reid go out on such a low note as he coached what was likely his final home game with the Philadelphia Eagles after 14 seasons. After taking an early 7-0 lead, the Eagles were once again relatively uncompetitive and lost for the 10th time in 11 games. Seven of those losses have been by a touchdown or more. The Eagles are one loss from finishing with the worst record in Reid’s career (he led them to a 5-11 record in 1999, his first season).

Football Outsiders ranked Foles’ Week 16 performance 19th among quarterbacks:

Red-zone passing: 3-of-9 for 27 yards, two first downs, no touchdowns, and two sacks. Keep in mind the Eagles lost this game by seven points.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the Eagles 29th in his power rankings:

The good news?  Mike Vick has another chance to improve his free-agency stock.  The bad news?  Mike Vick has another chance to hurt his free-agency stock.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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