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Eagles Show No Signs of Improvement in MNF Loss

The Eagles dropped their seventh straight game Monday night—at home, against a 2-8 Carolina Panthers team, and squandering a dynamic performance from rookie running back Bryce Brown.

After watching other bad teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars play in recent weeks, it is clear that they have less talent but much more fight than this Eagles roster does.

This team is an unabashed embarrasment. They are very likely the worst team in the NFL. It is is difficult to imagine them beating any team in the NFL right now.

One step forward, two steps back

Backup quarterback Nick Foles was efficient, but little else. His performance was not bad and not good. He survived some very bad decisions early and then settled down. He threw for a high completion percentage, but not for many yards. He had neither a TD nor an interception; it was that kind of night for Foles.

To add insult to injury, the Eagles finally did what the fans had been pleading for: they relied on their running game. They did so way later in the season than it could even have had an impact, and they did it with a backup running back.

Another curious decision amid the muddled mess the season has become.

Rookie Bryce Brown’s performance was microcosmic of the Eagles season: for every good thing he did, he seemed compelled to do two negative things, and his night was rendered a failure by his turnovers.

He rushed for a very impressive 178 yards and two touchdowns, but also coughed up two fumbles that were both recovered by the Panthers. Thus the Eagles lost the turnover battle 3 to 0—they lost another fumble on a kick return—and the game.

Defense even worse under Bowles

Three turnovers by the offense were bad enough, but the inability of the Eagles defense to force turnovers has reached an unbelievable level. Since Todd Bowles took over at defensive coordinator during the bye week, the Eagles defense has gotten precipitously worse. They are surrendering more than 30 points per game on average; they gave up fewer than 20 points a game under Juan Castillo.

Most troubling is the laughably poor tackling by the Eagles defense. Missed assignments and schematic breakdowns are bad enough, but when defensive players are in position and cannot make a tackle, it bespeaks a deeper problem. Effort, heart and professionalism are all in question when that happens.

Castillo is too good a soldier and too good a man to be laughing somewhere, but no one could blame him if he was. This Eagles defense is the most toothless, lifeless defense Philadelphia fans have had to endure in many, many years. The Panthers routinely marched down the field, scoring on their first two possessions. Cam Newton hit on touchdown passes to receivers so wide open there were no Eagles defenders in the same area code.

Reid goes—and then what?

Andy Reid’s fate has been sealed. Whether he is fired before the end of the season or after is merely academic. Many Eagles fans will rejoice when Reid is fired. It is unquestionably time for him to go.

However, those rejoicing will be in for a rude awakening when they realize the problem is not Reid as much as it is this heartless group of players. They need only to look to Juan Castillo’s situation. Castillo beame a scapegoat for the failures of his defense, and once he was fired, the unit got worse. The players are the deeper issue with this team, which means the Eagles have deeper problems to rectify.

The time has come to start thinking about who the next head coach will be. If the Eagles brass makes the right decision there, it will have cleared one hurdle. However, they then have the unenviable task of somehow trying to fix the dysfunctional chemistry on the this team.

Unfortunately, that will likely take more than a year or two. That is the situation with which Eagles fans are now faced. This is one of the worst chapters in the Eagles 79-year history; that is how bad this is.   

Phil McConkey

9:51 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

great job Mike!
Question for you. Who do you think are the top 3 players that must go to rebuild the chemistry? Or do you think a new coach fixes that? And I'm only saying should go if you get something decent in return. Not give aways.

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Porterincollingswood

10:21 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

My vote...

Michael Vick - pointless to roll with a vet when the team is rebuilding and has a young QB on the roster. Contract now entering ridiculous stage (http://www.eaglescap.com/Players/MichaelVick.html). Can be cut for $7.2M, saving $16.5M.

Jason Babin - one trick pony, can only play in a wide-9 system that won't be employed next season. Bad for PR. Expensive ($4.2M in 2013), but manageable cap implications if cut (http://www.eaglescap.com/Players/JasonBabin.html)

Nnamdi Asimugha - fraud. Due $15M in 2013, but can be cut for $4M. Buyout makes sense, money saved can go to re-sign DRC to a reasonable contract.

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Mike Diviney

8:15 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

If I knew that, I'd be a genius. Babin was a good start. Asomuagh should be next to show that a big rep and big money do not mean you're safe on this roster. Vick also has to go. He's a tough guy, but no longer a good player and his constant health issues are just a distraction. I don't think a new coach solves it, but will help if they hire the right guy.

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Phil McConkey

9:42 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

what about the O-Line guys? Atleast 2-3 of those guys should go and the line revamped?

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Porterincollingswood

2:10 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

2-3 offensive lineman should go? Maybe. But last time we cut loose 3 guys who "couldn't play" they all ended up starting for the Colts' OL. All three.

Last I checked, that team was doing well and Luck was standing tall in the pocket throwing TD's.

We have a coaching problem. Mudd can't coach. At all. He's a guy who benefited from Peyton Manning's quick release. He's failed to develop any players, and he has to go. Then we can find out what we have on the OL.

Bo

11:06 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Yes Mike good stuff I admire your ability to even write anything by this point, as I and I imagine others are finding it increasingly hard to even watch the game, and stay somewhat dialed in. This feels like a strange, but really sad ending of a 14 yr journey, so the pain of watching and supporting my favorite team has reached the most futile of moments for sure,

I could say I told you so per the secondary and offensive line issues, etc which I once noted here, but you know that's not what I hoped would actually occur. I find it funny that now everyone now is noticing how poorly the Eagles have drafted in recent years, that wasn't a conversation many were having until now, at the end of Andy's tenure. It is even funnier considering that this past draft may turn out good. Andy will shortly move on here, but if Roseman keeps his job, and the scouting department isn't clean out as well, that would be as foolish as it was keeping Andy all those years. I think the Chargers are about to clean house and fire HC Turner and GM Smith, and I suspect Dean Spanos will hire Andy to hire their next coach and GM. I'd be curious what people here thought about Gruden's comments and observations from last nights game and if such gave any clues, cause by the end of that game Gruden was quite critical of the play of this Eagles team and some of its players. It sounded like he wanted to implement his brand of attitude adjustment on members of this Eagles team, right then and there.

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Mike Diviney

8:19 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Gruden is half a fraud. He was very good in Oakland, but when he got to TB, he caught lightning in a bottle, then missed the playoffs 6 straight years. Don't want him. Can't with win him. I want Singletary as DC. Everyone speculated about their drafting issues, but they were winning 10 games a year. When that stopped, the criticism got louder, that's all- don't hurt yourself patting yourself on the back there Bo. I do think the 2012 draft was strong, but we'll see.

Jack Walden

1:59 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Great job Mike! Your insights are right on. What a mess this team is. It will take a long time to fix all theproblems.
I don't think Gruden will come to Philly. Some rumors have him going to UT.
I hope they come up with someone who is in his first coaching assignment.

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Mike Diviney

8:20 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

I don't want Gruden at all. I hope they make the right call. They did with Andy for the first decade. Hopefully, they can do that again, but a little better.

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Matt Skoufalos

9:51 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Bill Cowher! Get ol' stonejaw outta retirement and slap a clipboard in his hand! Boom, instant running game + work ethic.

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Mike Diviney

2:33 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Would probably go for him, but leary about the fact that NO coach EVER has won a Superbowl with 2 teams. But I'd take my chances

Reed Rothchild

11:05 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

"Effort, heart and professionalism are all in question" - That sums it all up right there. Well said Mike. The only positive is that we can't possibly be any worse. As you stated the Eagles are probably the worst team in the NFL right now, which is completely 100% unacceptable in Philadelphia.

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Mike Diviney

2:35 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

That's REALLY reaching for a positive but I hear you. With their luck, they might be the worst team, but won't have the best pick. And no Luck (pun intended) or RGIII in this draft, of course.

Bo

11:18 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Yay know I just had an idea, the Penn State people would hate it, but how bout Bill O'Brien as the next Birds coach. He has pro exp, and has dealt well with crazy situations involving coaching changes, and I think he's done well considering that was his 1st HC job.

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Mike Diviney

2:34 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

I do too, but leave him where he is. I'd prefer a defensive guy anyway

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Mike Diviney

2:39 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Porter, I don't like Mudd, but he has a strong rep, can't all be Peyton Manning. He was with 5 NFL teams before the Colts. He did develop Jason Kelce. No one could coach this garbage after all the injuries.

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Porterincollingswood

4:42 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

I get that, but this isn't like Joe Gibbs where you can say the game "passed him by". it's offensive line, so that excuse doesn't fly. He just can't get it done, and needs to re-retire.

Mike Diviney

2:45 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Porter, I know Justice and McGlynn are starters. That's bad enough, but who's the 3rd.
No excuses, but when the 4 injured starter return next year- hopefully, that'll help a lot.
Peters, Herremans, Kelce compared to Bell, Reynolds and Dunlap look a lot better.

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Porterincollingswood

4:48 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

AQ Shipley, since passed by Satele.

Peters and Herremans fix a lot of problems, but I don't trust Bell and Dunlap because their footwork is hideous and you just can't fix that. Move Todd back to LG. Draft a RT. Mathis and Kelce, with that protection, can be solid.

Larry O'Doyle

3:12 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Seems as if all the coaches who come here have a great "rep" according to the Philadelphia Eagles' Media Guide anyway. Remember the highly acclaimed special teams coach hired to replace the indistinguishable Rory Segrest? His name was Ted Daisher and he is currently coaching safeties at the University if Massachusetts. If Jim Washburn was so highly sought after why was he available? Is Dick Lebeau available? Of course not. Bobby April, another one of those "best in the business" guys, really blows. Unfortunately, the coaches who have left have the nest have proven to be much more valuable (Jim Johnson, Harbaugh, Grigson?). If the future of this franchise is entrusted to Roseman the recovery process will be much more painful than expected.

Mike- do you feel comfortable starting next year with Foles as your starter? Please advise.

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Reed Rothchild

3:52 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Larry, it's a transition year regardless next year so Foles should have his opportunity to "EARN" a chance to be the starter. Hopefully there is healthy competition at the QB and EVERY OTHER position so let the best man win.

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Matt Skoufalos

4:05 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

There's a youth movement in the NFL at the quarterback position: Tannehill, Weeden, Locker, Ponder, Gabbert, Luck, Wilson, Newton, Griffin III; not much farther along are Dalton, Freeman, Bradford. (Take your pick from among Smith/Kaepernick and Cassel/Quinn or Skelton/Kolb.)

The vets (Brees, Brady, Rodgers, Roethlisberger, Manning, Manning, Cutler, Palmer, Ryan, Romo, Rivers, Schaub) certainly have some separation from the pack (Cutler's having a good year, Palmer isn't).

But has Foles shown you definitively that he couldn't be at least on par with the guys in the first group? I think he's got a bigger upside. I'd like to see him finish out the season so we have a bigger sample size, and there's also the risk that he might not jive with whomever the next coach will be. But I definitely would feel better about giving him the keys to the car over many of the prospects in the top group.

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Mike Diviney

7:16 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Definitely not comfortable, but don't know yet. Those reps are not from the Philly media guide, they're league wide. Bobby April included. I don't like any of them, just saying. Just because a guy's is available doesn't mean anything- Bill Polian's available

Mike Diviney

7:18 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Yeah, I haven't seen anything yet that gives me "comfort" regarding Foles. He's big and smart, but has to show something in the final 5 games before we can render a legitimate decison.

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Larry O'Doyle

9:56 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

I agree Mr Rothchild, the best thing about the upcoming rebuilding process will be purging our nest of overpriced underachievers like Asomgha, Vick, Jenkins, etc. Competition makes everyone better but we need a sharp GM first and foremost. Bill Polian is at the tippy top of my wish list.

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Mike Diviney

10:36 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Agreed on Polian, even though he's available. I don't think they'll do it, but I'd back up the Brinks truck to have that guy run the Eagles if I was Jeff Lurie.

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Porterincollingswood

8:01 am on Thursday, November 29, 2012

I like those names at GM but agree with Mike about Gruden. I want a guy who has a track record of building a team. That Tampa squad got worse every year he was there, the drafts were hideous.

He's not what we need. Plus, U o Tennessee is offering him ownership of The Grand Ole Opry and 20 Flying J truck stops. What would you take?

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Mike Diviney

2:55 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

Gruden will work well in college. Good luck at U of T, just don't come here. Polian could fix this MESS in 2 fell swoop. One move then sit back and let him run the organization. The fanbase would turn right around from this 1 move.

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Phil McConkey

4:11 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

I think Zimmer is the next coach of the Eagles. Then they'll stink for 2 years an he'll be fired

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Mike Diviney

5:07 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

Who? Mike Zimmer? What are you thinking?

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