Where Do The Eagles Go From Here?

How many of us thought that heading into week #13 our Eagles would be sitting at 4-7? It has been a difficult fall here in the Philadelphia area this year.

We all have been looking for something to latch onto and help us along heading into the winter. The Phillies signed Jonathan Papelbon and that has been it so far. The Sixers will finally be back in action soon so there could be some hope there for a young and upcoming team in a shortened season to make some noise. The Flyers have been playing well in spurts and are gearing up for the Winter Classic January 2nd. Penn State, well, no need to re-hash that.

So that leave the Eagles, and well ...

Forget the record for a moment. I know it is hard. So much promise and hope. So much talent and ability. So much history to be written by a team that has been close but no cigar time and time again. Was it addition by subtraction or perhaps even more accurate with this team's subtraction by addition. Too many new faces in key places? Who knows at this point, and to be honest that is not the problem with this team right now.

Look at charisma surrounding this team now. Players starting to answer questions about their coaches. Coaches spatting with other coaches. Media fighting media and so on. Winning does indeed cure everything, and well, we are not winning so that is where we are.

To me, I will be there watching and rooting them on every game, it is in my blood. It is how I grew up. Remember all those TV blackouts? We as fans have been through this before and we will all be there again when this is over and revive those Super Bowl aspirations next season. This season has been more about how they have been playing more so than the actual loss.

The short arm attempts at catching the ball. The gut wrenching stupid penalties always killing any momentum they attempt to get. The lack of tackling. The mostly mind-numbing defensive play calling. The interceptions. The inability to get the football in the hands of your most feared offensive weapon (that would be Shady). The bizarre attempts the Eagles utilize to try and gain a yard, and never seem able to do so. Get what I mean?

That leaves the last point, and that is the coaching. Personal feelings about Andy Reid aside, it is time for him to go. The team needs a new identity. A new face. A new leader. His track record in terms of wins and losses is very impressive. He gave us fans many years of great games, hope and heartache. He has gotten so much out of some of his players, but never quite enough. The aura surrounding him and this team now has gone.

They have tried adding as many players as they can in their quest for a Super Bowl as they could, and yet here we are. So, while the roster will still largely be in tact for next season, it is his turn to be the goat. Along with Andy, defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, needs to go too. This team needs an edge. They have a player in quarterback Michael Vick that could win games all by himself. Yes, injuries are always and will always be his downfall, they just don't seem to be a feared opponent any longer, especially losing nine of their last 10 home games.

There are reasons aplenty to dismantle this team and start over. But I don't think that is required. It just needs an injection of testosterone. A new direction. A new identity. There are still other contract and personnel decisions that will need to be made. Lots of players will need to take a look in the mirror. But the talent is there, I do not think anyone can mistake that. So, it is Andy's turn to be the fall guy, forget the reason, it just is.

Oh and by the way, you do realize they can still conceivably make the playoffs? Through all this, they can still win the division after all.

They are 3-1 in their division and only three games back of the Cowboys for the division lead. A very winnable game Thursday night against the 4-7 Seahawks.

Another winnable game at the Dolphins the following week, and at home against the Jets and then at Dallas Christmas Eve.

And finally finishing at home against the Red Skins. Could you imagine? They come back and win the division, and all of the sudden this season becomes Andy Reid's best coaching season ever and he gets a lifetime contract from the Eagles.

Oh boy! Regardless, I will still be watching, it is how I was raised.

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