This missive is approximately the 77th time I've tried to sit down and come up with something intelligent to say about the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately, I've gone through enough fits and starts at the keyboard to make Lewis Black seem like George Will. So, here goes...
The loss yesterday to the Redskins was maddening and in all liklihood brought an end to meaningful football in Philadelphia until next September. In the three-game win-streak that preceded the contest with the Redskins, it appeared as if head coach Andy Reid had become a born-again believer in the run game, having devised a game plan that called more run plays than pass plays. The balanced approach kept the opponents off-balance and the offense really moved the ball.
But yesterday was the same old same old. An abandoned running game, a consistently good defense albeit incapable of creating a turnover, indifferent time management and 46 pass plays drawn randomly out of a hat to receivers seemingly acquired the same way.
But wait, that's not it. Today was the same old same old as well at the Andy Reid presser.
"We should have worked in a few more run plays."
"That one is on me."
As insulting as those answers have become over the years, you have to ask the question, if nothing has changed, then why are the Eagles hovering around .500 rather than going deep into the playoffs?
Because Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook have more wear on them than the tires on your first car.
There was a time when their collective four legs could carry the offense. Westbrook could catch a ball in the flat, juke a defender or two, and pick up ten easy. McNabb could get flushed out of the pocket, run around and either gain five with his feet or buy enough time to make a throw.
But those days are gone. Too many injuries to both players have left them inconsistent. When they are on, they are on. But when they're not, there just aren't enough other weapons on the team to pick up the slack.
If you like to bet smart, the safer bet is that both McNabb, Westbrook and Reid will all be back in green next year -- anything else is wishful thinking by talk-show hosts and their callers. So the next question is, will anyone newer and better be in green with them?
