I just got electric service back after being pounded by Sandy…couldn't even get out of the driveway due to fallen trees, which prevented me from escaping to a Kinko's to at least post Monday's blog…
But the citizens of Jersey and Manhattan got hit even worse than I did… I have nothing but sympathy and high hopes for those folks who got slammed far worse than they deserved. I was out of power for 2 days…it may be weeks before some of those residents in New York and New Jersey will be restored to normalcy. And that does not even count the tragic losses of life and property that have already occurred.
At some level, the Eagles' current lapse into mediocrity seems trivial compared to the human discomfort and suffering caused by Hurricane Sandy.
But I hope the Eagles organization will take a page from the disaster relief and recovery efforts…and maybe even take some inspiration from the courageous nature of the response teams and survivors who are currently working hard to turn around a very bad situation.
It's not just on the coaching staff, either…every player on the roster needs to self-scout this week, and decide to improve their individual approaches to the game plan and the season.
All is not lost at 3-4 going into New Orleans. But without individual accountability, this Eagles season could be on the verge of slip-sliding away.
Our own GateKeeper Emeritus Brizer said it well— to paraphrase, when you look objectively at that disastrous loss to the Falcons last Sunday, it really hinged on on only 5 or 6 blown assignments…and maybe 1 or 2 questionable calls that went against us.
Imagine…5 or 6 mistakes…Not that many in the greater scheme of things over the course of a 140-snap game.As a player making only one mistake on film in a game, I would be probably inclined to think I had a decent showing. But you multiply that one mistake by 5 or 6 other players, and now you've got a "chain" of mistakes that ultimately can result in losing a game you could have won.
You'll have to pardon me, I'm still a little shell-shocked from surving a hurricane that made a mistake itself, I guess, by failing to blow my roof off entirely…the forces of the winds were incredible, but they over-pursued me… and by sheer luck, my house stepped up into the pocket…
The Eagles' offices at the NovaCare Complex were closed Monday due to Hurricane Sandy. As the team returns, coach Andy Reid will have to deal with another storm.
After an embarrassing, 30-17 loss to Atlanta on Sunday, Michael Vick suggested that he might be benched in favor of rookie Nick Foles, perhaps as soon as next Monday's game at New Orleans.
"If (changing quarterbacks) is a decision that coach wants to make, then I support it," Vick said Sunday. "You know, obviously I think there are a lot of things I can do better. I'm trying to do everything I can to put the ball in the end zone and give my guys every opportunity (to score touchdowns). Despite it all, I still feel like I do a lot of positive things out there.
"The thing I know is that every time I step out there on the field, I give it everything that I have and I try not to leave any stones unturned and I think that is evident. That's all I can ask out of myself. That way I can sleep at night."
The Eagles have seldom been able to get through a season without a quarterback controversy. Two years ago, Reid decided to give Kevin Kolb his job back after he had suffered a concussion in the opener but then reversed field and stuck with Vick. Even last season, he picked Vince Young over Mike Kafka to lead the offense when Vick missed three games with a rib injury.
There wasn't supposed to be any tough decision about the quarterbacks this season. Vick was going to remain the starter while Foles, a third-round draft pick out of the University of Arizona, and veteran Trent Edwards would be the backups.
But that was before Vick started to cough up the football. He committed an NFC-high 13 turnovers in the first six games. But he delivered a clean performance against the Falcons, completing 21-of-35 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown and scrambling for 42 yards on seven carries. But the offense was held to less than 20 points for the fifth time in seven games.
"Right now what I'm concerned about is getting ourselves better for New Orleans," Reid said after the game. "That's as far as I'm going."
If Reid decides to go with Foles, he would become the sixth rookie quarterback to start an NFL game this season. Andrew Luck (Indianapolis), Robert Griffin III (Washington), Brandon Weeden (Cleveland) and Russell Wilson (Seattle) have been starters since the beginning of the season.
Of the seven quarterbacks drafted in the first seven rounds this year, Foles is the only one who has yet to appear in a regular-season game. Brock Osweiler (second round, Denver) has not attempted a pass but has taken two kneel-downs in relief of Peyton Manning.
Foles, 6-foot-6 and 243 pounds, has not played or taken a practice rep with the first-team offense since the preseason ended. He and Edwards operate the scout team offense during practice, running the plays of the Eagles' upcoming opponent against the first-team defense.
"It's cool to see those other (rookie quarterbacks) doing so well," Foles said last week. "I got to know them during the draft process and they're all good guys. It doesn't make me anxious to get out there, though. I always stay ready, always prepare, always keep my head in the game and make sure I understand the game plan. But I always have Mike's back."
The Eagles' offense isn't the only problem, however. The defense delivered an awful performance in its first game under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns. The Falcons scored three touchdowns and hit three field goals on their first six possessions. Matt Bosher's first punt came with 5 minutes, 35 seconds left in the game, drawing a sarcastic ovation from the few fans who hadn't already left Lincoln Financial Field.
"That was pretty bad, right from the get-go," Eagles defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said. "It's gut-check time for us."
Despite the Eagles' third straight loss, they aren't out of contention. At 3-4, they are tied with Dallas for second place in the NFC East behind the New York Giants (6-2), whom they have already beaten once this season. Green Bay and Minnesota lead the wild-card race with 5-3 records.
But the Eagles have to start playing better – and soon – to entertain any hopes of saving the season.
And Reid's job.
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