Word on the street is Andy Reid and the Eagles are talking contract extension. Details are limited and talks are still in the preliminary stages, but Sal Paolantonio's report describes the new deal as "long-term."
As we pointed out this offseason, the head coach and top personnel man has just this year and next remaining on his contract, and it's unusual for somebody at that level to enter a season as a lame duck. We speculated one side was making a decision, either the club possibly opting to go in a new direction, or Reid considering taking time away from football, but it appears those decisions have been reached.
Since I've been a regular reader and contributor at the Level, I've mostly criticized Reid, at times calling for his job, which admittedly was over the top. In all honesty though, prior to his (mis)handling of Donovan McNabb coming back from an ACL injury in 2007 and other subsequent poor gameday coaching decisions the past two seasons, I had mostly defended his ways. Today, I say if he's up for another decade coaching the Philadelphia Eagles, so am I. Not that he really needs my endorsement...
The number one criticism of Reid stated simply: the team hasn't won the Super Bowl. We get a little tired of hearing that. It's weak. One team wins it all every year. It's understated how much luck and timing come into play in a single elimination playoff format. That's not to say all their post-season misfortunes have been on the count of bad bounces, but if your biggest problem is no championship, there aren't many coaches out there who are going to meet that standard.
Of course the gameday (mis)managements are also maddening. That fact of the matter is though, as long as Reid has been here, the Eagles have been one of the top organizations in the NFL, both on and off the field. They're a perennial playoff contender, and they've done it largely on the backs of players who aren't making scandalous headlines. There aren't too many that have done it better and managed to stay consistent. New England and Pittsburgh. That's about all.
We're sure plenty of fans will still take issue with his re-signing, and it's true as long as he doesn't deliver a championship, there's a portion who will be on Reid's side. He's still here though, and will be for a long time it seems.
Original Story:
http://www.the700level.com/2009/10/ge...
|
October 11, 2009
