An Articulate Argument for the Dismissal of Andy Reid

Last week, I made an allusion to the fact that in order to ever win the Super Bowl, the Eagles must fire Andy Reid. I have voiced that opinion in several social situations since and each time been I have been disagreed with. In fact, I have yet to speak with anyone who agrees with me. I find this to be fascinating.

Before I continue, allow me to set the record straight on some parameters for this discussion. First, I am fully aware that the Eagles likely will not get rid of both Andy Reid in the same offseason, and if we are only to get rid of one of them, obviously Donovan has to be the first on voted off the island. Second, I understand that Andy Reid is, by the numbers, a very successful coach who wins a lot of games. Finally, the definition of true success in the NFL is winning the Super Bowl.

In order to more clearly explain my opinion I will refute the most common arguments I’ve heard regarding this topic one by one

1. It’s Donovan McNabb’s fault, we need a new QB.

While I fully agree that Donovan McNabb has choked in some big games, I would like to point out that when Donovan plays poorly, it’s the same shortcoming that causes the meltdown every time, inaccuracy. Simply put, Donovan McNabb is not an accurate quarterback. He is athletic and strong-armed. This isn’t an opinion, it is fact drawn from a decade of live action data. Having said that, why does Andy Reid continue to put McNabb in situations that require accuracy to be successful? I am of the belief, and judging from his press conferences Andy Reid is as well, that it is the coach’s responsibility to put his players in the best possible position to win. This means capitalizing on the strengths of each player and doing all you can to avoid putting players in positions that could allow for weaknesses to be exploited. Being the QB, Donovan will touch the ball every play, so it would seem paramount to game plan around his strengths and weaknesses, yet the Eagles continue to employ an offense that emphasizes the biggest weakness in Donovan McNabb’s game! How can you place all of the blame on the guy when all he is doing is using the tools available to him, his skills, to carry out a game plan dictated to him by his coach, whose prime responsibility is to design a game plan that gives his players the best chance to succeed? McNabb’s situation isn’t the only example of Reid’s inability to put the right player in the right position. Remember the disaster that was Reno Mahe as a punt returner? That decision cost the Eagles at least one game directly that season. Blaine Bishop at safety back in 2002 is another example, as is starting Levon Kirkland about 7 years after his prime. In each case, and countless others, Reid ignored glaring weaknesses in each player and expected them to do something that their skill set would simply not allow them to do. In each case, the question needs to be asked, why couldn’t the Eagles adjust their game plan accordingly? It is easiest to ask this question in the case of McNabb as it has been an ongoing issue for about a decade now. In my best estimation, the Eagles may have already won a Super Bowl had Andy Reid changed his offensive philosophy to emphasize McNabb’s strengths, like his mobility and arm strength. Only one person carries the influence to cause a sea change in philosophy like this and that person is Andy Reid, and he hasn't done it yet.

2. Look at how well he has done with such little talent.

This one is easy. Andy Reid is in control of most player personnel decisions. I haven’t checked recently so his exact title may have changed, but Reid is most definitely the most influential voice in these decisions. Any perceived lack of talent is completely his fault. Remember when he insisted that the Eagles didn’t need an explosive, cream of the crop type talent at receiver?? Well, Mr. Reid did all of the work proving himself wrong on that one. This year, his decision to go with an Andrews Brothers youth movement likely cost the Eagles at least a deeper run into the playoffs if not more.

3. He is the best coach the Eagles have ever had.

And Beast Light is the best beer made by Milwaukee’s Best brand. Point is it’s easy to be the best Eagles coach ever when we’ve pretty much always had crappy coaches. By the numbers, yes, Andy Reid is the most successful coach in Eagles history. He has won the most games, regular season and playoffs. Having said that, are we collectively forgetting how well Andy Reid manages the last two minutes of clock each and every half of each and every week? Good coaches rarely make decisions that leave points on the field at the end of halves, yet Reid does it week in and week out. Andy Reid's playcalling and decision making is anything but dynamic. The fact that anyone can tell what kind of game the Eagles are about to play, whether it be an explosive show of talent or a frustrating 3 ½ hour mess, within the first 5 minutes of action speaks volumes to his rigidity and stubbornness.

Obviously, this is a blog, not a book, so I won't continue to rehash extemporaneous details just to fill up space, but I feel my point has been made, and that is that Andy Reid is as much to blame as Donovan McNabb for the Eagles failure to win a championship despite 10+ years of generally continued success. I believe that even if the Eagles are to part with McNabb this offseason, the same problems that have plagued the Birds for years will continue and eventually we will realize that it was the coach all along. By then, the divorce from Coach Reid will be messy, and surely set this franchise back a few years. Why not save ourselves the let-downs, the trouble, and the time and start over now?