January 11, 1999 was the day Andy Reid was hired. September 7, 2008 will mark his 10th straight year as coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and the biggest season of his career.

That is a feat not many men have accomplished, especially in Philadelphia, where we chew up coaches and spit them out.

For 10 years, we've watched Andy turn around this franchise from the laughing stock Rich Kotite and Ray Rhodes left us with.

Very few coaches have ever had the kind of success he has. Four straight division championships, along with four straight conference championships, is nothing to brush off. Not to mention he has the third-highest winning percentage of active coaches behind Dungy and our friend in New England.

But, when you haven't won a championship in any sport in 25 years or 100 seasons, those numbers just don't mean anything. The Eagles haven't won a championship since 1960! That's 17,363 days for those who are counting.

This season is a make or break year for Reid and the front office. The team is finally filled with his personnel moves, and this is officially his team from top to bottom. Brian Dawkins is the only holdover from the defense Ray Rhodes built that carried Reid through his first six or seven years.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not insinuating Rhodes is a better coach than Reid, but that 2000 turnaround happened so fast because of Ray Rhodes' defensive players. Is it coincidence that the team went downhill when most of those players left?

If you understand football, you'll know that the defense was responsible for the 2000-2004 team success. And who built that defense? Not Andy!

Hugh Douglas, Troy Vincent, Jeremiah Trotter, Ike Reese, and Brian Dawkins would soon be replaced by names such as Mark Simoneau, Darren Howard, Jevon Kearse, Matt McCoy, Barry Gardner, and Levon Kirkland.

Still don't know why the team has gone from the class of the NFC to hoping for a playoff berth in '08? Let's look back at the drafts Reid has had.

In 1999, he hit a home run with Donovan McNabb. But people forget the Barry Gardner selection in round two, along with the rest of the garbage, none of which is even on the roster.

In 2000, Corey Simon was another home run, but Todd Pinkston and Bobby Williams were the next two picks, and not one player from any of the selections is on the roster now. Only one is even still playing in the NFL.

In 2001, he found a gem in Derrick Burgess. Know who he bricked on? Freddie Mitchell and Quintin Caver. Only A.J. Feeley and Buckhalter remain from that draft.

In 2002, he must have eaten his Lucky Charms because he hit on five out of his eight picks. Lito, Sheldon, B-West, Michael Lewis, and Raheem Brock all were great picks. I have no complaint whatsoever, except they let Brock walk.

In 2003, six picks, and only L.J. Smith was successful. The other five (including McDougle, who he traded up to get) will not be on the roster come opening day.

2004 saw another home run in Shawn Andrews. It also saw players like Matt Ware, Trey Darilek, Thomas Tapeh, and Dexter Wynn. Only Andrews and JR Reid remain.

This exercise could go on and on (and next year will include the 2005 busts, as they're not officially "busts" yet), but missing that much in the draft takes a 13-3 Super Bowl team and easily turns it into a 8-8 or 6-10 team.

Now not everyone hits on their draft picks, and they've probably been around the league average, but let's also not forget who he actually kept on the roster and had the audacity to feed us that they were legitimate starters.

Grab your barf bags as I'm about to rattle off the all-turd team: Todd Pinskton, James Thrash, Charles Johnson, Torrance Small, Matt Schoebel, Keith Adams, Mike McMahon, Dhani Jones, Blaine Bishop, Darwin Walker, Greg Lewis, Hank Fraley, Reno Mahe, Nate Wayne, Koy Detmer, N.D. Kalu, Brandon Whiting, Sam Rayburn, Josh Parry, and Dexter Wynn.

Feel sick yet? That list of crap makes me have to hurl.

The truth is this: Reid's super questionable talent evaluation, inability to make adjustments during a game, and flat out stubbornness that his system trumps talent is the real reason most of us Eagle fans are left scratching our head about 2008.

Is this a playoff team, and if so, is it one of the two best in the conference to give us a shot to play for the title?

Andy, anything short of an NFC Championship is unacceptable this season. This team consists of all your own players running your beloved system. Don't get it done this year, and this fan base will be calling for your head.

So I am sitting there watching Sports Center and what is the first commercial I see? Yet another commercial for Reggie Bush (an Adidas ad).

What has the man done to deserve all of this hype? Bush has less than 1,200 yards rushing in two years! His play is making the Texans look brilliant for selecting Mario Williams with the number one pick.

As Bush continues to lock up the endorsement deals, I have to ask, where is the national coverage for Brian Westbrook?

Outside of LT in San Diego, there is not a more complete running back in the NFL. In addition to the individual success, Westbrook has also been a big part of the Eagles' team success.

Besides missing out of the endorsement deals, his salary is an embarrassment to his talent. In 2008 Westbrook will be the 13th highest paid running back in the NFL. DeShaun Foster, Thomas Jones, and Ahman Green are making more money than Westbrook.

And then there was the whole debacle last year with the Eagles withholding his paychecks for reimbursement of a signing bonus error. What his 2007 performance wasn't worthy of a second bonus!

Enough of Reggie Bush already. It is time to spotlight a star that delivers on the field. Brian, time to find an agent who can get you paid!

[CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF WESTBROOK]

Both Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis are solid fits in head coach Andy Reid's West Coast attack but neither is a No. 1 receiver. Brown is a good athlete with balance and body control and has good quickness, cutting ability and hands. Curtis is a reliable player who runs good routes and has the toughness to go over the middle and make difficult catches in a crowd. Rookie second-round pick DeSean Jackson has explosive speed and home run ability and could contribute right away in the Eagles three- and four-wide packages. Jason Avant, Greg Lewis and Hank Baskett provide good alternate options and depth.

Sporting News rankes the Eagles OL as #2. Shawn Andrews is also ranked as the #3 Guard/Center in the league.

USA Today continued their columns of comparing today's best versus the best of the Super Bowl Era and Brian Dawkins was ranked #5 in today's ranking of safeties. The ranking seems a bit low for Dawkins' many accomplishments as an Eagle. Ranking above Dawkins on the list are: 1 - Ed Reed 2 - Bob Sanders 3 - Troy Polamalu 4 - Darren Sharper One can understand Reed being ranked higher, as Reed has achieved individual and team success. But Sanders and Polamalu have not yet built the career resume that accompanies Dawkins. Though the stats for Sharper are outstanding, his defensive units have not acheived the level that Dawkins has carried the Eagles to. Here's to Dawkins proving them wrong in 2008.

slow news brings posts like this...

Who will play a bigger part in the Eagles success this year? I think the key is a healthy, dominant McNabb. Quarterback is the key.

Could the Eagles survive better if Westbrook or McNabb went down with injury? I would have to say we could deal with an injury to Westbrook better, as I think we have some depth in the backfield. I don't have much faith yet in Kolb and Feeley throws to many picks. Just a curious thought.

A nice collection of DeSean Jackson videos. Makes you wish we had jackson in 2007. I am sure Jackson could have gotten us the 9th win and a trip to the playoffs in 2007. Reid and his devotion to Mahe. But Mahe is gone, just need to show Greg Lewis the exit next! Who do you think will handle Kick Off return duties...Demps, Booker, maybe Jackson here too?

Is anyone else getting nervous or annoyed that the Sixers seem to keep missing on the top free agents on their list. Philly.com is already reporting that less big names guys are already lined up for visits. Billy King could have done this crap!

Just thinking if McNabb went down for an extended period of time this year with any injury, do you think Reid would hand the offense over to Kolb or go back with the veteran Feeley and hope he can avoid the interception bug and lead the offense like he did against the Pats last year. I just think Kolb needs one more year on the sideline for him to have an success with the Eagles. Hopefully this question doesn't need to be raised and McNabb makes it through 16 games as the starter. With McNabb as the starter, there is NO WAY we don't win at least 10-11 games. Last game of the year the Eagles beat the Cowboys to win the NFC East with McNabb outshining Romo.

The rumor was just a rumor...The Eagles #1 pick next year is still looking good...

The Sporting News ranks the NFC Teams based on Quarterbacks. The Eagles Pull in a #4 ranking. Complete Rankings: 1 - Cowboys 2 - Saints 3 - Seahawks 4 - Eagles 5 - Giants 6 - Cardinals 7 - Buccaneers 8 - Rams 9 - Panthers 10 - Redskins 11 - Lions 12 - Packers 13 - 49ers 14 - Vikings 15 - Bears 16 - Falcons

Ranking the top 4 at QB, RB, WR, OL in the NFC East. McNabb 1, Westbrook 1, Curtis 4, OL is 2. Looks about right...Curtis could go 3 or 4, but Moss has the Pro Bowl appearances

Rich Eisen and Jamie Dukes provide a nice outlook for the 2008 season. They label DeSean Jackson has Devon Hester like...NICE!!!!! Wonder will the stupid cowboys finished?

A Nice Article - The only bad years under Reid was when Doug Pederson, Mike McMahon, or AJ Feeley was Quarterback. Big year ahead for the Eagles and Reid in 2008. I had forgotten about that scrub Pederson.