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In Philadelphia, people find a way to complain about everything – there's something in the water. And nothing, or nobody, in Philadelphia gets people in the media more cantankerous than Andy Reid.
Reid's relationship with the media is about as strained as any public relationship can be. Despite the successes on the field, including a lackluster 2008 regular season that ended in a visit to the NFC title game, Reid has remained a giant, green, media punching bag. Chalk part of the icy relationship up to the hard-nosed attitude of Philly writers and talk radio hosts, coupled with the fact that Reid somehow manages to give less information out than Bill Belichick, which people in New England only put up with because Belichick has an entire hand full of rings. Reid, on the other hand, has none, at least as a head coach. Sure he boasts a .607 winning percentage and went to five NFC title games and one Super Bowl, but he hasn't won anything yet. Until he does, or until he's booted out of town – neither look likely any time soon – the media will continue to take their shots whenever they can.
None of those shots have been more creative than Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Bob Ford's missive today, suggesting that the Eagles sign Allen Iverson to play quarterback. His column, cleverly titled, "Answer for the Eagles? They could try Iverson," was a direct shot at Reid's decision to turn the town upside-down with the Michael Vick signing, who he has failed to properly use. Why not, Ford suggests, bring in AI as well?
Now that their first experiment with rehabilitating the image and playing career of a former quarterback has been so wildly successful, it's obviously time for the Eagles to reach out again and build on that strategy.Ford's point is actually pretty valid. With how little Vick has contributed on the field for the Eagles – 2-for-7 passing for six yards and 12 rushes for 27 yards in seven games – Iverson could be a better option for the Eagles than Vick. Remember, Iverson was a state-champion quarterback in Virginia.There is nothing, after all, that Andy Reid and the front office likes better than being smarter than everyone else ... These guys don't just think outside the box at One NovaCare Way. They don't even recognize the box. The box says boring things like, "You should really run the ball against the Oakland Raiders." Anybody with a whistle and a mail-order coaching certificate can do that. Where's the thrill?
And you do have to hand it to them. This Vick thing has been everything they promised - with the possible exception of, well, everything.
And, as Ford jokingly suggests, so is Iverson.
[I]t is time for the Allen Iverson Era. If there ever was a man for the Wildcat offense, this is the guy. As we know from his time with the 76ers, this is one wild cat. And now he needs a job and a little image rehabilitation.So, get in here, Allen Iverson. This one is really outside the box. And the only thing the Eagles appear to work harder at than being outside the box is being outside the playoffs.
(H/T The700Level.com)
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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"Reid, on the other hand, has none, at least as a head coach. Sure he
boasts a .607 winning percentage and went to five NFC title games and
one Super Bowl, but he hasn’t won anything yet"
So by your definition, anything is Super Bowl? This is the problem with fans and media. Winning an NFC championship is winning something. Do you know what it is winning? .. Wait for it.. It is winning an NFC championship!!!
Now, you can say he has not wont he Super Bowl, as a HC, but to say he has not won anything is baseless and a microcsom of the problems with media and sport!!
by AW78 on Nov 18, 2009 11:51 AM EST reply actions
Bad blog about apparently, another bad article. Great source Dan – the Philadelphia Inquirer, WTF is wrong with people these days. This was a crappy blog about a very missed attempt at being witty by a hack writing for a sad sack of a rag.
GARBAGE!!
by AW78 on Nov 18, 2009 11:54 AM EST reply actions
AW78-your off base,actually the inquirer is a respectable newspaper.And yes,to truly be a winner in this league you need to win the big game.Where are you from,cleveland?
Everyone gets on philly fans for not being huge fans of McNabb or Reid.I always hear sports analyst from other cities saying we should appreciate Mcnabb,and be thankful to be graced by his presence.
I don’t agree with our fans that booed Mcnabb at the draft,that showed no class.But the fact remains that McNabb is wildly inacurrate,often injured,and is not a clutch player.He cannot lead his team on game winning drives at the end of games,and thats been evident throughout his career.
It’s not that we dislike Mcnabb,he’s the best QB the eagles have had but he is not accurate and that’s a killer in a west coast system that doesn’t run at all.When guys get paid millions per year to throw a football you should be able to complete a 5 yard pass without one-hopping it to your reciever.
Critics like this writer say philly fans complain too much,no were just educated fans(for the most part).Everyone gets on Romo in Dallas because he hasn’t won a playoff game,and
by pete alessi on Nov 18, 2009 3:39 PM EST reply actions
NFC Championships are great at first. It shows your team has the personel and will to succeed. But eventually you have to get to the next level. Conference championships are a great achievement, but you can’t sit on that and expect praise. Besides, he only has 1 in 5 tries.
I can’t wait to watch Kolb throw bombs to Maclin and Jackson on their way to Super Bowls.
by LaSteevLa on Nov 18, 2009 3:59 PM EST reply actions
(continuation of last post)- Peyton was being called a choke before his Superbowl in Indy.Every fan is entitled to his opinion,and every fanbase complains about their team,so save it Levy.
Personally I like Andy Reid,he is a good offensive mind just doesn’t run enough and makes bad decisions during critical times in big games.But I would like to see him stick around.I like Mcnabb,but he is hot and cold and is accurate enough for a west coast system.
Those eagle teams that made a run were built on defense,and everyone that bashes philly fans should know how much we didn’t like the move to trade Brian Dawkins.He was the heart of the D and Philly loved the fact he laid it all on the line for us week in and week out!
by pete alessi on Nov 18, 2009 4:01 PM EST reply actions
chuck "the rifleman" Conners beat Allen and L. James to the punch years ago. back in the day, Chuck played baseball with the B.Dodgers and basketball with Boston. I think he even played footbnall, but unsure bout if he did and with whom he played for. and don’t forget "Bo" played football and baseball. MJ was great at basketball, but terriable at baseball. there’s been other two sport players. so it’s no big deal, really.
by chattanooga colts on Nov 18, 2009 7:01 PM EST reply actions
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