We are now left with this in this winter of our discontent as Eagles fans. How should fans react on Sunday in what will almost surely be Andy Reid’s final game in front of the Lincoln Financial Field faithful.
Reid is in the twilight of a 14-year reign as the Eagles boss. His achievements, including a long streak of double-digit wins, playoff appearances and one trip to the Super Bowl, cannot be denied.
But Reid ends his time in Philly on a decidedly down note, with crises both on and off the field, professional and personal.
More importantlly, his decisions, from hiring Jim Washburn and making Juan Castillo his defensive coordinator, to yesterday’s announcement that LeSean McCoy will start on Sunday as he recovers from a concussion, have increasingly come under scrutiny.
Sure, the rule has always been in the NFL that if you are healthy you play. But it’s alarming that the Eagles would put the health of the best player on the team - and perhaps the best running back in the league - in jeopardy in what amounts to a meaningless game. Even more alarming is that Eagles owner Jeff Lurie would allow this decision to be made by Reid, who likely will be making those decisions only for one more week.
Remember, it was Reid who had McCoy on the field in the final minutes of a blowout loss to the Redskins when he suffered the brutal hit that led to the concussion. Reid was severely second-guessed for that decision, not just for putting McCoy at risk, but for running the ball that late in a meaningless game when he has so often stubbornly refused to do so during his reign in Philly.
So the question will remain for Eagles fans how they will treat Reid in what may be his Philly farewell.
Cheer or jeer?
Part of me wants to cheer, if not for all the wins Reid has piled up, perhaps just thankful that it’s over and we can now move forward.
Time's yours? Not any more, Andy.
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