Eagles Wake-Up Call: Lurie Doing Right By Reid?
Despite cries for answers, Jeffrey Lurie does not intend to speak this week, according to a team official.
There are no immediate plans to fire Andy Reid in-season, and the coach said on Monday that he will not step down before the year is out.
For the next six weeks, the fan base will likely be asked to grin and bear it. Relief will not come in the form of change or explanation. Not yet.
Lurie has demonstrated restraint in these situations before. He allowed Rich Kotite to complete the 1994 season, which ended in a seven-game slide, before letting him go. Ray Rhoades was permitted to finish out the 3-13 campaign in 1998 and was promptly fired one day after the regular-season finale.
It should be of no surprise that Lurie will also give Reid a chance to see things through. But is it the right decision for everyone involved?
Half of the remaining games are scheduled to be played in prime time in front of a national audience. That’s three more games for broadcasters to talk about the impending firing of the long-tenured head coach. Three more reasons for the players and management and the fan base to feel potentially shamed.
Three of the six games are at home. That is three times for the home crowd to voice its displeasure over the current state of affairs. Inevitably a lot of the venom will be shot in Reid’s direction.
It could be a regrettable scene. Once time has allowed for proper perspective, the majority of Eagles fans will be appreciative of the things that Reid accomplished in 14 years with the Eagles. Once the anger has subsided, there will be even more compassion for Reid the man given the family tragedy that he is fighting through.
Right now, the emotions are raw and the focus is on the embarrassing product being rolled out Sunday after Sunday.
Lurie is keeping Reid around out of respect and loyalty. But you wonder if it would be more merciful to let him go now.
WHAT YOU MISSED
Reid says that he will not step down this season, calling such a move a “cop-out.”
Sheil explores the Eagles’ failure in self-evaluation. And takes a look at Jake Scott and the O-line play from Sunday.
Reid defended his decision to run LeSean McCoy late and gave an update on Michael Vick.
Is the rest of the season meaningless? Not when it comes to protecting the youth on this team to slipping into a losing culture.
In the latest installment of Coaching Buzz, Peter King thinks Chip Kelly will be a candidate to replace Reid as head coach of the Eagles.
A look at the snap count numbers shows an increased role for Bryce Brown.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Vinny Curry will be activated for the first time and Danny Watkins will continue to sit out, according to Geoff Mosher at CSN Philly:
The first move is getting rookie defensive end Vinny Curry on the field. The second-round pick will be active for the first time this season on Monday night against Carolina, according to a team source.
Curry, a second-round pick out of Marshall, hasn’t been active for any of the first 10 games but has progressed in practice and will make his NFL debut against the Panthers at the Linc.
The source also said Andy Reid is leaning toward sticking with Jake Scott at right guard, even with Danny Watkins healthy enough to be active.
A couple former Eagle updates:
Juan Castillo apparently has a landing spot in mind.
Not listed earlier today, but I’m told that former Philadelphia Eagles DC Juan Castillo has interest in the UTEP job. bit.ly/TTUGK3
— Pete Roussel (@coachingsearch) November 19, 2012
UTEP head coach Mike Price announced Monday that he would be retiring at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Mike Kafka could land a job in Pittsburgh.
From what I can gather, sounds like Mike Kafka and Brian Hoyer the only 2 QBs being worked out by the Steelers Tues. They intend to sign one
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) November 20, 2012
COMING UP
A day off for the reeling Eagles. The team will practice on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week. A rare day off on Thanksgiving thanks to the Monday night game.