Twitter Mailbag: Does Reid Have An Out?

Every Thursday we select a few of your Twitter questions and provide the long-form answers they deserve. For a chance to have your question published on Birds 24/7, send it to @Tim_McManus.

From @Gaphillyfan: Do the mounting injuries give Reid a possible card to play at his ‘trial’?

We actually got Jeffrey Lurie on record regarding this issue back in August, when he made it known that another 8-8 season would not be enough to save Reid’s job. Lurie was asked if there were any qualifiers to that statement, particularly when it comes to injury.

“Yeah, I guess if two-thirds of the team is not playing [then] there are always exceptions,” is the way the Eagles owner responded.

The Jason Peters‘ injury had already occurred by that point, though clearly the offensive line has been completely decimated over the last several weeks. Evan Mathis is the last man standing from the original starting five.

“It’s a little weird. It’s like a Final Destination kind of thing. Hopefully I don’t get hit by a bus or anything,” Mathis joked.

Otherwise, this team has not had too many injuries to deal with. Michael Vick has played every snap and the defense has enjoyed relative good health. Jeremy Maclin and Nate Allen have missed some time, but nothing too serious. Offensive line is where they’ve been hit, and man have they been hit hard. But overall, Reid can’t make a case that Lurie will fall for. The owner knows he wouldn’t be able to sell it to the fans.

From @chiefmisnomer: what are the details of Nnamdi’s remaining contract? Will the Eagles be able to opt out after this season/for how much?

Asomugha  is due $15 million in 2013. My understanding is that only $4 million of that is guaranteed. So it looks like they can walk away from the remaining three years of the deal without too much damage. Is $4 million too much dead money to swallow if you’re the Eagles? Depends in part on the options to fill the void at right corner, I would imagine. Seeing as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is not under contract for next year currently, the Eagles have a couple big question marks at the position. It will be interesting to see how they handle it.

From @IrishTim74: does Danny Watkins act as a revolving door at any local hotels or is it just at Lincoln Financial Field?

See, that’s just not right.

From @chambersd12: Are we stuck w/ Howie as GM since his apparent contract extension? Do you actually trust him to make the coaching decision?

I thought Phil Sheridan did a nice job of putting Roseman’s contract extension in perspective.

Eating Roseman’s contract would make an imperceptible dent in Lurie’s fortune. It would cost less than some of the mistakes the franchise has made with player signing bonuses in the last few years.

And if you think Lurie would keep Roseman on just to avoid paying him for nothing, consider that Roseman is just 37 years old. He would want to continue his career in the NFL, which means he would vigorously pursue another job. If he lands one – and there is a guy in Cleveland who might be willing to take him on – Lurie is off the hook, anyway.

At the time of the extension, Lurie knew he was moving on from Joe Banner. Andy Reid’ future was up in the air. The intention was to move on with Roseman whether Reid survived the 2012 season or not. Otherwise, why give him a deal? It is possible that this season has changed Lurie’s view of Roseman or that a new head coaching hire could force the young GM out. But for right now, I’m operating under the assumption that Roseman is sticking around for the overhaul.

Will he do well in such a position of power? Impossible to know.

From @rock9449:  have the players stopped believing in Andy Reid?

Here’s how one player responded when I asked if the players still listen to Reid:

“Of course. Great coach. But when you are Commander in Chief you take the heat.”

I honestly have not heard anything contrary to that. If they have tuned him out, it’s subconsciously. Certain members of this team have not been shy about pointing the finger this year, but I have yet to see anyone point it at Reid.

Become a fan of Birds 24/7 on Facebook.