Desperate Times in Eagleland

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The Andy Reid era in Philadelphia has suffered its share of turmoil. Three straight NFC Championship defeats, the T.O. debacle, a Super Bowl loss, injury-plagued campaigns in 2005 and 2006, last year’s disappointing 8-8 record, and what occurred on Sunday: The benching of Donovan McNabb. For the first time in his NFL career, McNabb was pulled due to ineffectiveness. A bold move for certain, but not surprising.

The signs have been evident for nearly a month; even before last week’s inexcusable tie with the Bengals and McNabb’s stunning revelation afterward. Something is wrong with the Eagles’ five-time Pro Bowl quarterback. Body language tells the tale: head hung low, shoulders shrugged, mouth agape. It’s clear that ten seasons in the spotlight and under the microscope have taken their toll on McNabb. His manner resembles that of a beaten man. It took eleven years for the previous Eagles’ superstar signal caller to acquire a similar guise. Randall Cunningham became a casualty of broken promises and failed attempts at glory. So to, has McNabb.

Donovan’s play on the field has been more telling. Seven turnovers in the last two games sealed his fate. Reid unleashed a verbal tirade earlier in the week and warned jobs were on the line. It’s one thing to replace linebacker Omar Gaither, it’s another thing entirely to sit the franchise quarterback. When a head coach resorts to such extremes he isn’t just trying to save a team or a season, he’s trying to save his job. Ultimately, Reid will be the one held accountable for the mistakes of 2008. He knows it, the team knows it, and the fans know it.

No Eagles coach has won more games than Andy Reid. No Eagles quarterback has won more starts than Donovan McNabb. Together, the coach and player have been responsible for an unprecedented period of stability and success not witnessed since the days of Dick Vermeil and Ron Jaworski. However, bountiful achievement brings with it increased expectations. In a town starving for a Super Bowl title, patience wears thin quickly. For all the accolades gained by Reid and McNabb, the fact remains that a pass-first offensive philosophy cannot thrive in a physical NFC East.

The Eagles dominated from 2001-2004 because the rest of the division was rebuilding. Quincy Carter in Dallas, Steve Spurrier in Washington, and no franchise quarterback in New York resulted in easy pickings for Philadelphia. Flash forward to the present: The Giants are 10-1 and the defending Super Bowl Champions; Dallas is loaded with talent coming off a Division title in 2007; the Redskins are led by a bright young coach and a rising star quarterback.

Meanwhile, the Eagles remain essentially the same team that left Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005, losers of Super Bowl XXXIX. Some of the names and faces are different with the exception of the two most recognizable: The head coach and the quarterback. If they aren’t to blame, then who is? Only one person can answer that question. Jeffrey Lurie. It’s been said that desperate times call for desperate measures. What measures and how desperate remains to be seen.

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