No matter how hard they try to make them disappear, the words of Vince Young will hang around the Eagles’ necks like an albatross all year.
“Dream Team.”
No sooner had the words escaped Young’s lips in a moment of glee at Eagles training camp at Lehigh, than everyone down at Nova Care Nation took part in a collective cringe. Then tried desperately to back away from them.
Now they spend every week hearing the opposing team talking about taking down the “Dream Team.”
After yesterday’s disheartening home opener loss to the Giants, the “dream” is officially a nightmare.
For starters, the Eagles inexplicably came out flat upon returning to their home turf after spending the first two weeks on the road.
They shut down the Giants on their first possession and then drove the ball down the field. It looked like they were on their way to an early score and setting the tempo. Didn’t work out that way. Vick got flushed out of the pocket (big surprise there.) He tossed a ball that clattered off the hands of Steve Smith (no exactly a great way to start the day against your former team) and right into the hands of the Giants.
From that point the Giants rolled down the field. And it didn’t take them long to find Casey Matthews, even after he was moved out of the middle to outside linebacker. Fans had images of Joe Jurevicius running down the sideline as Matthews chased Brandon Jacobs all the way into the end zone.
The Giants added another score to go up 14-0 as the Eagles continued their funk.
Then Andy Reid got involved. Not a good thing.
Reid’s play-calling was abysmal as the Birds appeared ready to cash in a touchdown from inside the 5-yard line. This team has never been a smash-mouth offense. It’s always gadget plays and finesse, Reid trying to show everyone he’s smarter than everyone else. That’s why they always struggle at the goal line. No different yesterday. The Eagles got stuffed and then were left to kick a field goal. They did the same just before halftime, another field goal when they should have been cashing 6.
But the real pivot of the game, and condemnation of Reid, came with the Eagles having regained the lead, 16-14, and driving with about 11 minutes left in the 4th quarter. The Eagles had failed (again a complete failure in a short-yardage situation) on third down. Everyone knows you punt the ball and pin the other team deep in their own territory. Everyone but Reid. In effect, Reid told you everything you need to know about his defense with that decision.
To add insult to injury, Michael Vick continued to take a horrific beating. He would suffer a broken hand on what appeared to be a borderline late hit while in the pocket. He went to the locker room, got an X-ray, returned to the game, and eventually was forced to retreat to the sideline when the hand swelled.
Mike Kafka came into the game and for some reason was armed by Andy Reid to throw a deep ball on his very first play. It never had a chance, and was intercepted by the Giants.
It appears Vick is likely to be out several weeks, meaning Vince Young better get well in a hurry.
The insults weren’t over, however. Vick made it clear after the game he was starting to feel insulted by the refs who fail to give him the same kind of protection other quarterbacks in the league routinely get.
And finally there was Reid, his smug, arrogant self on display after the game.
Why writers bother to attend these things and put up with Reid’s act is beyond me.
So is the feeling that this team might be a Super Bowl contender. I have a tendency to come to these decisions too quickly. It is not beyond possibility that the Eagles could still turn this thing around. The season is still very early.
But that will depend largely on Reid, the guy who decided to shuffle his offensive line the week of the regular season opener. The guy who does not believe linebackers are all that important, and that Casey Matthews is a NFL-caliber middle linebacker. The guy whose No. 1 draft pick is in civvies on the sideline, and who is not exactly getting a lot out of his drafts the last two years.
Time’s yours, Andy. I won’t hold my breath waiting for you to explain any of this. You’re above all that. Clearly you don’t feel the need to answer to reporters, let alone the fans.
I am certain of one other thing, too,
The “dream” is over.
“Dream Team.”
No sooner had the words escaped Young’s lips in a moment of glee at Eagles training camp at Lehigh, than everyone down at Nova Care Nation took part in a collective cringe. Then tried desperately to back away from them.
Now they spend every week hearing the opposing team talking about taking down the “Dream Team.”
After yesterday’s disheartening home opener loss to the Giants, the “dream” is officially a nightmare.
For starters, the Eagles inexplicably came out flat upon returning to their home turf after spending the first two weeks on the road.
They shut down the Giants on their first possession and then drove the ball down the field. It looked like they were on their way to an early score and setting the tempo. Didn’t work out that way. Vick got flushed out of the pocket (big surprise there.) He tossed a ball that clattered off the hands of Steve Smith (no exactly a great way to start the day against your former team) and right into the hands of the Giants.
From that point the Giants rolled down the field. And it didn’t take them long to find Casey Matthews, even after he was moved out of the middle to outside linebacker. Fans had images of Joe Jurevicius running down the sideline as Matthews chased Brandon Jacobs all the way into the end zone.
The Giants added another score to go up 14-0 as the Eagles continued their funk.
Then Andy Reid got involved. Not a good thing.
Reid’s play-calling was abysmal as the Birds appeared ready to cash in a touchdown from inside the 5-yard line. This team has never been a smash-mouth offense. It’s always gadget plays and finesse, Reid trying to show everyone he’s smarter than everyone else. That’s why they always struggle at the goal line. No different yesterday. The Eagles got stuffed and then were left to kick a field goal. They did the same just before halftime, another field goal when they should have been cashing 6.
But the real pivot of the game, and condemnation of Reid, came with the Eagles having regained the lead, 16-14, and driving with about 11 minutes left in the 4th quarter. The Eagles had failed (again a complete failure in a short-yardage situation) on third down. Everyone knows you punt the ball and pin the other team deep in their own territory. Everyone but Reid. In effect, Reid told you everything you need to know about his defense with that decision.
To add insult to injury, Michael Vick continued to take a horrific beating. He would suffer a broken hand on what appeared to be a borderline late hit while in the pocket. He went to the locker room, got an X-ray, returned to the game, and eventually was forced to retreat to the sideline when the hand swelled.
Mike Kafka came into the game and for some reason was armed by Andy Reid to throw a deep ball on his very first play. It never had a chance, and was intercepted by the Giants.
It appears Vick is likely to be out several weeks, meaning Vince Young better get well in a hurry.
The insults weren’t over, however. Vick made it clear after the game he was starting to feel insulted by the refs who fail to give him the same kind of protection other quarterbacks in the league routinely get.
And finally there was Reid, his smug, arrogant self on display after the game.
Why writers bother to attend these things and put up with Reid’s act is beyond me.
So is the feeling that this team might be a Super Bowl contender. I have a tendency to come to these decisions too quickly. It is not beyond possibility that the Eagles could still turn this thing around. The season is still very early.
But that will depend largely on Reid, the guy who decided to shuffle his offensive line the week of the regular season opener. The guy who does not believe linebackers are all that important, and that Casey Matthews is a NFL-caliber middle linebacker. The guy whose No. 1 draft pick is in civvies on the sideline, and who is not exactly getting a lot out of his drafts the last two years.
Time’s yours, Andy. I won’t hold my breath waiting for you to explain any of this. You’re above all that. Clearly you don’t feel the need to answer to reporters, let alone the fans.
I am certain of one other thing, too,
The “dream” is over.
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