Philadelphia Eagles Need To Make Changes
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There’s only one word to sum up the 2014 Philadelphia Eagles, disappointing. With the offseason now here, the Eagles need to make some major changes to turn their fortunes around. This team crumbled and fell apart at the wrong time. Some players and even coaches have to wonder if they will around next season.
The honeymoon phase with Head Coach Chip Kelly and his staff is over. No more giving passes to this team. The collapse falls squarely on Chips shoulders. Yes, this team faced immense adversity this season, but the fact is that the Eagles were on pace to be a number one seed in the playoffs. That almost seems like a century ago, now we will all be watching the postseason on television. The Philadelphia Eagles lacked the mental toughness towards the end of the season to win ugly games, and would eventually lay down in critical moments. No way a good coach lets that happen, Chip didn’t do enough.
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To point the blame more specifically, I point the finger at defensive coordinator Billy Davis. Yes Chip Kelly deserves blame, but Billy Davis might be the reason this team isn’t resting their players and preparing for a first round bye. Davis refused to bench corner Bradley Fletcher, who has been absolutely torched this season. It’s also head scratching as to why Davis would leave Fletcher on a island by himself against the opposing teams best wide out. Anyone with two eyes watching the games knew Fletcher was hot garbage. It seemed the only person who didn’t know that was Davis. It took till week 16 in the fourth quarter to finally make the move.
At this point it wont be that far of a stretch to think Billy Davis might be gone next year. His overall coaching performance certainly warrants such a move. You can bet your bottom dollar some sort of coaching change will happen within the defensive coaching staff. One thing is for certain in Philadelphia, the team needs a drastic makeover in the secondary. This group was the Achilles heel of the team, and lost the Eagles some games based off their horrible performance.
Corners Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher might be the worst corner duo in the entire league. From idiotic penalties, bad technique, poor tackling, and lackadaisical overall play, these players will almost surely be gone in 2015. The Philadelphia Eagles need to address their secondary via draft and free agency, next season pretty much depends on it.
Another elephant in the room among Philadelphia Eagles faithful is the quarterback position. At this point some fans and media are willing to take a flyer on almost anyone right now. QBs Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez both had their ups and downs, mostly downs for Sanchez who also deserves blame for the late season meltdown. This has led people to speculate on whether the team should trade its entire draft and future for Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, or trade for interception machine Jay Cutler.
Will the Eagles do it? NO. Fans and media need to settle down with the QB talk. Nick Foles will be the guy next season, and I’m happy with that. Nick has proven to lead and step up in big moments, and is a pro bowl caliber QB that doesn’t cost the team very much. I will say this, the team needs to invest in a backup QB because the Sanchize wont be in Philly next year. The Eagles will need to test the QB market this coming summer.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, it’s time to make the necessary moves to launch the Eagles into a Super Bowl caliber team. Whether it’s a coaching change, an extreme makeover in the secondary, or a risky shakeup at the quarterback position, the 2014 Philadelphia Eagles will need to make changes. If not, the 2015 Philadelphia Eagles will deliver more of the same, disappointment. No more passes from all the fans, the Eagles need to be held accountable for its poor play. It’s time for the organization to start showing real results, if not Chip Kelly won’t be so loved in Philly anymore. Offseason here we come!