Whitlock: Loose ship might sink Eagles

tk13 · 02-03-2005, 02:44 AM

It's a football article, and I thought it was interesting.... so yeah...

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10801562.htm

Loose ship might sink Eagles' Reid

JASON WHITLOCK

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — So I'm all gassed up to write a glowing review of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid when I make the mistake of asking former NFL linebacker Bryan Cox about Terrell Owens.

“Bill Belichick wouldn't have that (stuff),” Cox barked, referring to the T.O. will-he-or-won't-he circus. Cox, who played on Belichick's first Super Bowl team, went on to explain how Owens' look-at-me actions are divisive to team chemistry.

I can't say for sure that Cox is right. But I can say for sure that if the Eagles get whipped in Super Bowl XXXIX, the experts are going to question Reid's handling of the Eagles in the days immediately after their NFC championship victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Unlike Belichick's New England Patriots, Reid's Eagles have stayed in the news. Receiver Freddie Mitchell kicked things off by going on ESPN and proclaiming that he didn't know the names of any of the New England defensive backs, except for safety Rodney Harrison, whom Mitchell promised a pregame gift.

Why was Mitchell shaking a stick at the angriest Patriot? No one knows. Why did he think it was appropriate or acceptable? No one knows that, either. It does, however, reflect poorly on Andy Reid.

The Eagles can't match the Patriots' Super Bowl experience. Reid appears to be running a loose ship. Owens proclaimed on media day that God healed his ankle and that it doesn't matter what the team doctors have to say about his injury. T.O. will suit up Sunday, it seems, solely because he wants to. He doesn't care what Reid or the Eagles have to say about his health.

Mitchell and Owens have pushed Reid out on a pretty shaky limb. He's coaching in the biggest game of his life, and one underachieving receiver and another attention-starved receiver are making things complicated and difficult. The Philly media and fan base won't be forgiving if things go terribly wrong on Sunday.

Reid's terrific accomplishments won't save him from major backlash. It's too bad because Reid is a fantastic football coach who can't get his proper due because we in the media arrived in Jacksonville determined to baptize Belichick in the name of Lombardi, Landry and Chuck Noll.

See ya, Bill Parcells and Jimmy Johnson, Belichick is the greatest football coach of the last 25 years.

The only thing standing between Belichick and immortality is big ol' Andy Reid, who is a pretty fair coach himself. Reid led the Eagles to four straight division titles and NFC championship games. He developed Donovan McNabb into a top-shelf quarterback. He's handled the dual responsibilities of being the Eagles' head coach and general manager.

And this year he navigated the Eagles through the NFC playoffs when the team could have easily folded without T.O. I mean, the Eagles spent a ton of money acquiring Owens just for the playoffs. When an injury sidelined him, it would have been easy for the Eagles to lose confidence.

It didn't happen. Philly played its best football of the season.

So why did Bryan Cox scare me? So why did Cox make me contemplate the idea of the Eagles getting spanked on Sunday?

It's because the Eagles are starting to strike me as a team that's just happy to be here. There was so much pressure on the Eagles to win the NFC championship that maybe they don't have the discipline or focus to go at this game properly.

The Pats have eyed this game all year. The Eagles eyed the NFC championship. That was their destination, their Super Bowl. It's so easy to get distracted Super Bowl week. Players get pushed and pulled in every direction. Do you think Freddie Mitchell didn't know that his comments on ESPN would stir controversy? Of course he knew. He wanted to put himself in the center of the Super Bowl story. It's no different than T.O. doing the “Monday Night Football” promo with the Desperate Housewife. T.O.'s attitude, good and bad, permeates the Philadelphia football team.

Reid's inability to control the negative aspects of T.O.'s attitude might just cost the Eagles on Sunday. That's too bad. Reid is an outstanding coach.

teedubya · 02-03-2005, 03:07 AM

yeah, it seems like Patriots are gonna win this in a blowout. I really dont like TO, but he has almost persuaded me to root for the Patriots, and I sure as **** dont want them to win.

I do have a Drew Bledsoe Jersey that was given to me while working on a Sprint promotional gig in 1998 in BOston... I also have a Randall Cunningham jersey... Im still not sure which one I will wear on Sunday.

Perhaps I will just wear my Priest Jersey and dream the unpossible.

Miles · 02-03-2005, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ali Chi3fs

yeah, it seems like Patriots are gonna win this in a blowout. I really dont like TO, but he has almost persuaded me to root for the Patriots, and I sure as **** dont want them to win.

Im not a fan of TO's dumbassery off the field but i really respect how hard he plays. He gives everything he has. He is one of the only players i can think of thats really like that too.

Fairplay · 02-03-2005, 03:27 AM

Reid and the Eagles management should have known what they were in for when they signed up TO. I don't feel sorry for them. I think that TO will have his way and have Reid put him in for some plays. And im sure TO told him he wants in on some plays with him in mind. Like a touchdown pass so he can make the highlight reel. That way TO will get the credit should the Eagles happen to win the SB.

Personally i hope TO, well i would sound mean. So i will put it mildley.
I hope he does'nt re-injure his leg, heh.

mikey23545 · 02-03-2005, 03:53 AM

This is nothing but public masturbation by Owens. I really don't think he gives a rat's ass one way or the other about how his playing in this game will affect the outcome. It's just about having his name in the papers, like usual.

And if he doesn't like people seeing it that way, he only has himself to blame.

Wallcrawler · 02-03-2005, 05:49 AM

I have a hard time with people questioning the ship that Andy Reid is running.

Its pretty apparrent to me, that the guy knows what he is doing. Four straight NFC championship appearances dont just fall in your lap.

He handled T.O. throughout the regular season, and the Eagles had a fantastic year, up until T.O.'s injury, but by that time, the Eagles had already sealed the deal for home field.

I have a hard time, a really hard time in believing this BS about Andy Reid not having this team ready to play in this game, after it took so damn long to get over that NFC title game hurdle.

The Eagles might lose to the Patriots, but the Patriots have been kicking everyone's asses here lately, theyre a damn good team.

So what happens if the Eagles win? Does Whitlock then say that Belicheck had become complacent, and just didnt want it as bad? Or that all the hype about him surpassing Lombardi's playoff record was too big of a distraction?

Feh.

The Eagles are excited to be there, and they have every right to be. Once it is time to get down to business, Reid will have the Eagles ready to roll.

The Patriots have been there 3 of the last four years now, so they are used to everything that goes on, and the experience isnt brand new like it is to the Eagles.

Eleazar · 02-03-2005, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles

Im not a fan of TO's dumbassery off the field but i really respect how hard he plays. He gives everything he has. He is one of the only players i can think of thats really like that too.

Yeah... he's loud and obnoxious but he's not randy moss.

DaWolf · 02-03-2005, 06:47 AM

I find this article ironic considering that it was Vermeil back the last time Philly was in the super Bowl and he was critisized for running too tight a ship while the Raiders did whatever. Now the roles are reversed.

I personally would not be surprised to see the Eagles win...

StcChief · 02-03-2005, 08:25 AM

TO wants attention for sure or $ incentive in contract?
Put him in , Patriots tackle the injured knee and end his career.
The Fool won't listen to the doctor get's what he deserves.

Never root for the overrated NFC.

Patriots by 2 touchdowns in blowout.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 02-03-2005, 08:31 AM

The Patriots were gonna kick their asses anyway... now I'm just looking forward to it more.

It's hilarious to me that some ego's are so big as to talk trash during Super-Bowl week when your opponent has won two of the last three championships and is probably even better this year.

I hope it's a New England route and T.O. has to walk off the field with his head and tail between his legs. Then we'll see who he blames.

**Mr. Kotter** · 02-03-2005, 08:35 AM

This game could be ugly....the Pats could really roll it up on the Eagles, except Billichek is too classy for that....damn, it.

**Rain Man** · 02-03-2005, 09:42 AM

Eh. The Eagles have made it to the Super Bowl with the style they have now. I don't think it's going to kill them in one more game. It's not like anyone should be surprised by Terrell Owens looking for attention.

Hoover · 02-03-2005, 09:53 AM

I'm just sick of Freddie Mitchell, would ESPN please stop talking to him?

Brock · 02-03-2005, 10:15 AM

It wouldn't matter if the Eagles behaved like choirboys. They're still going to get beat pretty handily.

**Rain Man** · 02-03-2005, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

I'm just sick of Freddie Mitchell, would ESPN please stop talking to him?

I was shocked to hear that he was a first-round pick. I'd never even heard of him. Maybe he should spend less time on his hair and more time practicing routes.

02-03-2005, 02:44 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $2022500	Whitlock: Loose ship might sink Eagles It's a football article, and I thought it was interesting.... so yeah... http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10801562.htm Loose ship might sink Eagles' Reid JASON WHITLOCK JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — So I'm all gassed up to write a glowing review of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid when I make the mistake of asking former NFL linebacker Bryan Cox about Terrell Owens. “Bill Belichick wouldn't have that (stuff),” Cox barked, referring to the T.O. will-he-or-won't-he circus. Cox, who played on Belichick's first Super Bowl team, went on to explain how Owens' look-at-me actions are divisive to team chemistry. I can't say for sure that Cox is right. But I can say for sure that if the Eagles get whipped in Super Bowl XXXIX, the experts are going to question Reid's handling of the Eagles in the days immediately after their NFC championship victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Unlike Belichick's New England Patriots, Reid's Eagles have stayed in the news. Receiver Freddie Mitchell kicked things off by going on ESPN and proclaiming that he didn't know the names of any of the New England defensive backs, except for safety Rodney Harrison, whom Mitchell promised a pregame gift. Why was Mitchell shaking a stick at the angriest Patriot? No one knows. Why did he think it was appropriate or acceptable? No one knows that, either. It does, however, reflect poorly on Andy Reid. The Eagles can't match the Patriots' Super Bowl experience. Reid appears to be running a loose ship. Owens proclaimed on media day that God healed his ankle and that it doesn't matter what the team doctors have to say about his injury. T.O. will suit up Sunday, it seems, solely because he wants to. He doesn't care what Reid or the Eagles have to say about his health. Mitchell and Owens have pushed Reid out on a pretty shaky limb. He's coaching in the biggest game of his life, and one underachieving receiver and another attention-starved receiver are making things complicated and difficult. The Philly media and fan base won't be forgiving if things go terribly wrong on Sunday. Reid's terrific accomplishments won't save him from major backlash. It's too bad because Reid is a fantastic football coach who can't get his proper due because we in the media arrived in Jacksonville determined to baptize Belichick in the name of Lombardi, Landry and Chuck Noll. See ya, Bill Parcells and Jimmy Johnson, Belichick is the greatest football coach of the last 25 years. The only thing standing between Belichick and immortality is big ol' Andy Reid, who is a pretty fair coach himself. Reid led the Eagles to four straight division titles and NFC championship games. He developed Donovan McNabb into a top-shelf quarterback. He's handled the dual responsibilities of being the Eagles' head coach and general manager. And this year he navigated the Eagles through the NFC playoffs when the team could have easily folded without T.O. I mean, the Eagles spent a ton of money acquiring Owens just for the playoffs. When an injury sidelined him, it would have been easy for the Eagles to lose confidence. It didn't happen. Philly played its best football of the season. So why did Bryan Cox scare me? So why did Cox make me contemplate the idea of the Eagles getting spanked on Sunday? It's because the Eagles are starting to strike me as a team that's just happy to be here. There was so much pressure on the Eagles to win the NFC championship that maybe they don't have the discipline or focus to go at this game properly. The Pats have eyed this game all year. The Eagles eyed the NFC championship. That was their destination, their Super Bowl. It's so easy to get distracted Super Bowl week. Players get pushed and pulled in every direction. Do you think Freddie Mitchell didn't know that his comments on ESPN would stir controversy? Of course he knew. He wanted to put himself in the center of the Super Bowl story. It's no different than T.O. doing the “Monday Night Football” promo with the Desperate Housewife. T.O.'s attitude, good and bad, permeates the Philadelphia football team. Reid's inability to control the negative aspects of T.O.'s attitude might just cost the Eagles on Sunday. That's too bad. Reid is an outstanding coach.
Posts: 54,917

02-03-2005, 03:07 AM	#2
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9490002	yeah, it seems like Patriots are gonna win this in a blowout. I really dont like TO, but he has almost persuaded me to root for the Patriots, and I sure as **** dont want them to win. I do have a Drew Bledsoe Jersey that was given to me while working on a Sprint promotional gig in 1998 in BOston... I also have a Randall Cunningham jersey... Im still not sure which one I will wear on Sunday. Perhaps I will just wear my Priest Jersey and dream the unpossible.
Posts: 36,649

02-03-2005, 03:27 AM	#4
Fairplay A certain set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: texas Casino cash: $10026683 VARSITY	Reid and the Eagles management should have known what they were in for when they signed up TO. I don't feel sorry for them. I think that TO will have his way and have Reid put him in for some plays. And im sure TO told him he wants in on some plays with him in mind. Like a touchdown pass so he can make the highlight reel. That way TO will get the credit should the Eagles happen to win the SB. Personally i hope TO, well i would sound mean. So i will put it mildley. I hope he does'nt re-injure his leg, heh.
Posts: 25,265

02-03-2005, 03:53 AM	#5
mikey23545 MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10015321	This is nothing but public masturbation by Owens. I really don't think he gives a rat's ass one way or the other about how his playing in this game will affect the outcome. It's just about having his name in the papers, like usual. And if he doesn't like people seeing it that way, he only has himself to blame.
Posts: 12,314

02-03-2005, 05:49 AM	#6
Wallcrawler How tall is this thing? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ground 0 for enema of US. Casino cash: $4272912	I have a hard time with people questioning the ship that Andy Reid is running. Its pretty apparrent to me, that the guy knows what he is doing. Four straight NFC championship appearances dont just fall in your lap. He handled T.O. throughout the regular season, and the Eagles had a fantastic year, up until T.O.'s injury, but by that time, the Eagles had already sealed the deal for home field. I have a hard time, a really hard time in believing this BS about Andy Reid not having this team ready to play in this game, after it took so damn long to get over that NFC title game hurdle. The Eagles might lose to the Patriots, but the Patriots have been kicking everyone's asses here lately, theyre a damn good team. So what happens if the Eagles win? Does Whitlock then say that Belicheck had become complacent, and just didnt want it as bad? Or that all the hype about him surpassing Lombardi's playoff record was too big of a distraction? Feh. The Eagles are excited to be there, and they have every right to be. Once it is time to get down to business, Reid will have the Eagles ready to roll. The Patriots have been there 3 of the last four years now, so they are used to everything that goes on, and the experience isnt brand new like it is to the Eagles. __________________ She did not open her eyes this morning. I don't know what else to say.
Posts: 6,928

02-03-2005, 06:47 AM	#8
DaWolf Cry havoc... Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10007725	I find this article ironic considering that it was Vermeil back the last time Philly was in the super Bowl and he was critisized for running too tight a ship while the Raiders did whatever. Now the roles are reversed. I personally would not be surprised to see the Eagles win...
Posts: 6,798

02-03-2005, 08:25 AM	#9
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	TO wants attention for sure or $ incentive in contract? Put him in , Patriots tackle the injured knee and end his career. The Fool won't listen to the doctor get's what he deserves. Never root for the overrated NFC. Patriots by 2 touchdowns in blowout. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

02-03-2005, 08:31 AM	#10
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	The Patriots were gonna kick their asses anyway... now I'm just looking forward to it more. It's hilarious to me that some ego's are so big as to talk trash during Super-Bowl week when your opponent has won two of the last three championships and is probably even better this year. I hope it's a New England route and T.O. has to walk off the field with his head and tail between his legs. Then we'll see who he blames. __________________ courtesy of BoneKrusher "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes a religion." Ernie Harwell Last edited by Dr. Johnny Fever; 02-03-2005 at 08:36 AM..
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02-03-2005, 08:35 AM	#11
Mr. Kotter The Dude Abides Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Dakota Country Casino cash: $5915285	This game could be ugly....the Pats could really roll it up on the Eagles, except Billichek is too classy for that....damn, it. __________________ "I've always said I worry about legacy and winning rings more than making money at this moment...We see what's going on around the league, but at the same time, I'll never do anything that's going to hurt us from keeping the great players around me.”
Posts: 46,349

02-03-2005, 09:42 AM	#12
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3358491 VARSITY	Eh. The Eagles have made it to the Super Bowl with the style they have now. I don't think it's going to kill them in one more game. It's not like anyone should be surprised by Terrell Owens looking for attention. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,249

02-03-2005, 09:53 AM	#13
Hoover Rufus Dawes Jr. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $1698179	I'm just sick of Freddie Mitchell, would ESPN please stop talking to him?
Posts: 17,342

02-03-2005, 10:15 AM	#14
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	It wouldn't matter if the Eagles behaved like choirboys. They're still going to get beat pretty handily.
Posts: 47,314