"Andy, it's time to Reid between the lines"

Author: Mary Lane

Although ¸ber-excited with Navy's 46-44, triple-overtime victory over Notre Dame, it's time to turn my attention to my pro team, the Philadelphia Eagles, who haven't been quite up to snuff lately. Head Coach Andy Reid has been experiencing major problems both on and off the field. The Eagles have experienced a disappointing 3-5 season and have only an outside shot at getting the wild card. Although he probably should, Reid won't be stepping down or getting fired any time soon.

In his personal life, Reid is dealing with two of his five children, sons Garrett 24, and Britt, 22, and their constant run-ins with the law. Both boys have been in trouble for drugs since high school, which escalated into two separate arrests on Jan. 30 of this year. Reid missed his first practice in nine seasons to attend their sentencings on Nov. 1.

Britt was sentenced to eight to 23 months for drug possession and brandishing a gun at another driver during a road-rage incident. Garrett was sentenced to two to 23 months in jail for running a red light and crashing into another vehicle while high on heroin. Heroin and testosterone-filled syringes were found in his SUV, and he has consistently missed and failed drug tests this year. More charges are being pressed against him since he was later caught smuggling pills into his jail cell. Both boys still live at home, where their bedrooms played host to a bevy of needles, syringes, and pills. "It sounds more or less like a drug emporium," said Montgomery County judge Steven O'Neill during sentencing.

At a press conference Friday, Nov. 2, Reid was visibly distraught. He looked devastated and sounded as if he were about to break down and cry. "This has been a battle we have dealt with here for a few years, and I'm sure we'll continue to address the situation," he said. Reid says he will continue serving as head coach and he means it. Regardless of talent or focus on his job, he's not going to step back and address his family life unless someone forces him to do so.

Reid did take five weeks off in the off-season to spend time with his wife and five children, but such a short amount of time clearly was not adequate to mend the scars his absence as a father has helped to create.

Despite the anger of the fans, and their clamor for Reid to leave Philly, owner Jeff Lurie is staunchly standing by his coach. "We came within a whisker of the NFL Championship Game for the fifth time in six years. That sort of says it all to me," he said in a recent press conference.
That says it all to me, too. Whether due to lack of talent or lack of focus, Reid has shown a consistent inability to win the Super Bowl. Philly wants a championship, and Reid is not giving us one.

This year the Eagles have scored only 139 points - 56 of which came in a win against the Detroit Lions. While their defense is good this year and the offense has been driving the field, the team keeps falling apart 20 yards short of the end zone.
Such inconsistency demonstrates Reid's persistent inability to follow through and score the points. McNabb was supposed to be carrying this team, but the kicker, David Akers is instead.

For some reason unknown to all of us ¨- and Reid is great at never explaining anything he does to anyone - wide receiver Hank Baskett is never utilized in a position which is currently lacking in power and stability. With the loss of Donte Stallworth to the New England Patriots, Philly lacks a vertical threat with whom we can stretch the field, as well as a reliable red-zone target and at 6'4" 220 lbs, Baskett is a fantastic jump-ball receiver. Reid hasn't given Baskett much of a chance though.

Even I vacillate as to whether I want Reid to stay or go. With 82 wins, he has been the winningest coach in Eagles history, and he has garnered the respect of his team. What's certain, though, is that the Eagles are a stagnant team right now, and Reid's personal problems are destroying both his life and his team.