Philadelphia's Struggles

[The Crock]

The Philadelphia Eagles, the so-called "Dream Team," are off to their worst start since 1999. At 1-4 and in a tough division, the Eagles aren't looking very good to make the playoffs, maybe even break .500. Who or what is to blame?

- Michael Vick: He has been explosive all year, certainly had his ups, but he has also been very inconsistent. Vick threw 4 interceptions (7 overall) today, a major factor in costing his team the game, but his dynamic play making ability also got his team closer in the end The question isn't if Vick can play, which he certainly can, it's more so if he's fit to lead a team with that many expectations. For the most part, Vick has been underwhelming this season, Vick will need to turn it around soon, but with Washington coming up, it looks unlikely that he will, because he'll be battered by the defensive line all night.

- The Run Defense: They have one of the worst run defenses in the league. Their 30th ranked run defense had their best performance in four games, yet still allowed Fred Jackson to run all over them. They cannot stop the run game to save their life and Washington's running game, while nothing amazing, looks to continue the trend against them next week, with Hightower, Helu, and Torain putting up big numbers.

- Andy Reid: To me, he's the problem. He appointed a long time offensive line coach to be his defensive coordinator and seems to have no control over in Philly. When a team comes into a season being labeled as the "Dream Team," they need coaching to back that up and take off some of the pressure, the Miami Heat struggled with it at times last season with coach Erik Spoelstra and the Eagles, seemingly, have the same issue. If anybody will lose their job over this, it'll be Reid.

So, what's the problem with the Eagles? Can they turn it around?

 

[Big Sexy]

The offensive line and the run defense are the two main reasons. Vick hasn't been as good as last year but he has still been very good and has done far more positive then negative for the Eagles. If he doesn't get injured in weeks 2 and 3 then they likely start 3-0, 2-1 at the least. He also has gotten no protection from his offensive line. When you're getting hit every other play and are being hurried constantly, it's hard not to throw a few interceptions.

The run defense has also been horrendous. They've given up over 100 yards every week. You can't be successful on defense if you can't stop the run. You can blame Andy Reid all you want and as the head coach it is warranted to an extend but the fact remains that Reid is a proven winner. In his 12 seasons as head coach the Eagles have gone to the playoffs 9 times and only twice have they had a losing record. He has gone to 4 NFC Title games and a Super Bowl as well. He obviously didn't forget how to coach, the team is just under performing.

With that said their division isn't very good and I still see them winning the division as long as Vick stays healthy.

 

[BooCocky]

Honestly, what do I blame? The entire team from top to bottom. The front office tried to build a so called dream team by investing in a high profile secondary and by secondary I just mean corners. Which is all fine and dandy but when you don't have the talent at other position all fails. Their linebacking core is pathetic, their safeties are just as bad, their run defense is pretty bad. Vick has played poorly, his inability to slide lost them practically two games.

The bad offensive line is no excuse, Big Ben has played with a bad o line since Faneca left. He's just got to two super bowls.

One person I don't blame is Andy Reid, he's a proven winner. Just look at the Eagles record since he took over.

The Eagles are a mess and I hope they fail badly. I despise self titled teams. I want them to suck because I think it's highly entertaining....

 

[Mick Overlast]

I've been hearing this over the past couple days and agree: it's really on Reid for being so adamant in appointing Castillo as the DC. I think Eagles brass will give him one more year IF he replaces the defensive staff. If he's stubborn about it, he'll be gone.

You also have to put blame on Vince Young for attracting all this attention to the Eagles. Even when they signed Asomugha, no one was really hyping the Eagles too much until VY had to talk about the "Dream Team."

When you become this hyped, your every loss/skid is magnified 10 times. Gotta be able to back it up -- the Heat learned that lesson in June.

 

[HoHo]

What's wrong with our favorite team the birds hmmm...I think the players they signed have been misued.Asomugha, he should be used more on man to man coverages he had success in Oakland, but the Eagles are playing zone coverages which is wrong.Cromartie, I barely hear his name, put him on Punt Returns or Kick Returns he has the speed to change the game.Steve Smith, where is he, he was great in NY, he has hands like Avant, but no where to be seen! Jenkins has been up and down so far, but these guys are in a new scheme, so Jenkins will get better.Babin has been the lone ranger who has stepped up what 7 sacks? I thought Cole and Babin were great together but Cole got injured.The safeties are ok, Allen is still young, Kurt is hit or miss.I think the speedy Linebackers are whats the problem.They a fast but small, so lines are pushing them around like babies, especially durings blitzes and running plays.Its what week 5, if you let Castillo go, theirs a new scheme for them to learn, which won't help them at all.Offense time...I think the offensive players are making mental mistakes at times, fumbling, missing catchable balls.Things that the Eagles didn't do last year, we are seeing now.This week is the final test, the exam.If they lose to the skins, season's over.Play Kafka because pride won't save jobs at the end of the season.I think if the Eagles just get a win this week, they breathe easier...After the bye, Reid's teams do well, but facing the Cowboys isn't easy.Right now, I'm not sure if this team will right the ship, but plenty of times, I was down on them, especially in 2003, but somewhere or another...they surprise me.