Where from here?

By Matt Mattare

So the Eagles have once again resurrected a season from the brink of extinction, this time going into the Meadowlands and dominating what many believe is the best team in football. As I listen to Mac and Mayes and the callers on 950ESPN I sense there is a bit of confusion as to whether people are happy about this victory. Many fans call for change and another late season push that comes up this short might be enough to keep the current regime intact for another year. Does this victory mean the Reid-McNabb era has pulled yet another Lazarus after rock bottom in Baltimore? Should Eagles fans be what Bill Simmons calls “fan-tanking” (hoping the team loses for the good of the franchise) for the remainder of the season? I don’t believe that is the case.

Like I outlined earlier in the year, this isn’t a team that needs to necessarily be totally scrapped—as we’ve witnessed over the past two weeks they are quite capable of not only beating but thoroughly dominating some of the best teams in the league. Andy Reid’s performances over the past few weeks also may have won him a stay of execution, but changes need to be made. Obviously he has (miraculously) tweaked his philosophy a bit and has committed more to running the ball. Philadelphia had 41 rushing attempts yesterday, more than the Cincinnati and Baltimore games COMBINED. Whether or not he sticks with it remains to be seen, but the mere fact that he adjusted at all is something that should give Birds fans hope. After all, if Tom Coughlin can adjust his philosophy and win a Super Bowl Andy Reid can too…right?

I think this is still a very dangerous team that is capable of being the best team in the league on any given day. Will that be enough to get them in the playoffs? Maybe if they would have won that game in Cincinnati, but too many things need to break Philly’s way at this point. Those that want Andy Reid gone should start the fan-tanking but everyone else should still be pulling for the improbable run to the playoffs. If I’m an Eagles fan personally I’m hoping that McNabb lights the world on fire down the stretch—boost that trade value before his time in Philly is up.

After seeing the adjustments and reflecting a bit my stance of canning Big Red has wavered—I don’t think it’d necessarily be a bad move to keep him. However my position on Donovan remains the same and if he plays better and better down the stretch it will only help in the reshaping of this team. After watching the Cincy-Baltimore stretch did anyone think they could fetch more than a fourth rounder for him? Now suddenly he’s back into 1st-2nd round territory. Once McNabb has been traded to Minnesota (this has to happen), the Andy Reid era will hinge 100% on how well and how quickly he is able to develop Kevin Kolb. If THAT is the discussion in July then we’ll know the Birds are at least headed in the right direction.