a little strange.
article (http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/16055497.htm)
QuoteAshley Fox | Backup breakdown Reid's fault
By Ashley Fox
Inquirer Columnist
Before the debate begins about who should be the Eagles starting quarterback now that Donovan McNabb's season is over, how about a discussion on how badly the franchise erred in its handling of the backup quarterbacks.
Jeff Garcia and A.J. Feeley haven't taken a snap with the Eagles' first-team offense since training camp. Not one. Not to give McNabb a breather in practice. Not to make sure either qualified backup was prepared enough to get into a game. Not simply for a change of pace.
For whatever reason, Andy Reid's practice policy has been that the backup quarterbacks run the scout team, and McNabb runs the first team. It's been that way for years, to the point Feeley thought when he left Philadelphia for Miami a few seasons ago that every team ignored its backups.
In reality, not many teams operate that way. Yesterday, the Eagles' shortsighted philosophy crushed the team when the unthinkable happened and McNabb went down with a devastating knee injury.
Don't blame Garcia for the Eagles' 31-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans yesterday that dropped the Birds' record to a mediocre 5-5 with a game at Indianapolis next on the schedule. Reid didn't put Garcia in a position to win.
Garcia was mentally prepared. He'd run through plays in his head a million times. He had visualized how he would go through his progressions, and how he would execute each pass.
But Garcia hadn't actually run a play with his intended receivers - much less taken a snap from Jamaal Jackson - in more than three months.
Of course he was rusty. He hadn't practiced. He had no chemistry with Donté Stallworth or Reggie Brown or Brian Westbrook. How could he? Garcia was in shape, but he wasn't physically ready to play, and that is Reid's fault, not Garcia's.
"It had been a while since I'd been out there," Garcia conceded afterward, acknowledging that it "wasn't an easy situation."
Why not?
"I think in the past I've been in situations where the backup would maybe get 15 to 20 percent of the reps," Garcia said. "But obviously most situations your starter is going to get a majority of the reps, if not all of the reps, and it's all about how I think your starter feels. If it's a situation where he's very comfortable with what he's doing, and he's ready to take a break here and there and throw the backup a bone, then that can happen."
So by that logic, McNabb was uncomfortable with the offense? Or, at the very least, with his position as the Eagles' starter? Is that it?
Garcia certainly wasn't going to bite on that one, and it's a moot point now anyway. But it is mystifying that Reid hasn't given his backups any reps in practice. What, he never considered McNabb might get hurt?
Reid had already spoken and was not available after Garcia had said this. It will be the hot topic in today's news conference.
McNabb broke his ankle in 2002. He began the 2003 season with an injured hand, and the Eagles started 2-3, though McNabb didn't miss any games. He was fine in '04 and the Eagles made it to the Super Bowl. He had a sports hernia in '05 that ended his season after nine games.
And now the quarterback has blown out his knee.
For those of you scoring at home, that's four significant injuries in five seasons.
No reason, then, to keep a prepared backup quarterback in your pocket.
Today, the conversation inevitably will turn toward Reid and whom he will make the Eagles' starter. He wouldn't commit to either Garcia or Feeley last night, but said he would take a look at the film and decide.
It's hard to know whom that will benefit, but one thing is undeniable: Garcia clearly was rusty, and it took him several series to get his bearings. In all likelihood, Feeley would've had the same issues.
Garcia's first series, the Eagles went three and out. His second went for eight plays before David Akers kicked a field goal. After halftime, Garcia led three fruitless drives that prompted Feeley to work on the sideline with backup center Nick Cole.
It's likely Feeley would have come into the game had Garcia not put together a 12-play drive to the Titans' 18-yard line that ended with a bobbled snap on another Akers' field-goal attempt.
Garcia's next time out, he put together an 11-play touchdown drive. The next went for 10 plays, but ended on downs after Garcia misfired to receiver Hank Baskett.
Garcia was sustaining drives.
"I do believe that I did calm down in the second half a little bit," Garcia said. "When I went out there in the second quarter, the first half, it was all of a sudden a rush of excitement in the sense of, 'Now's your opportunity to step out on the field and do your thing.' I wish things could have went better today. It's unfortunate that we didn't do what we had to do as a team and an offense to give ourselves a better opportunity to win this football game."
Like letting the backups practice during the season. It couldn't hurt. The only thing we know now is this: Either Garcia or Feeley - or possibly both - will get a lot more reps in practice this week.
This whole team is run by a group of monkeys. farging fire them all.
Why am I not surprised by this? Oh yeah, it's because Reid is an arrogant asshat.
Another reason Reid needs to be shown the door.
It's amazing how removed from reality he seems to be. Jesus christ this coaching staff is a disgrace.
I'm not a huge fan of Ashley Fox's writing. In this case, it's because I'd like to know what the general standard is league-wide. Frankly, I don't think very many head coaches give any QB besides their starter reps with the 1st team. So while she makes it sound like the coaching staff was making a mistake, I'd venture to say no less than 75% of NFL teams do the exact same thing.
I just think there are much more important reasons to say goodbye to Reid.
and the hits just keep on coming....
this is another tidbit that will get overlooked but is something that when thought about for a minute becomes almost unbelievable
Jesus Christ. Talk about a dumb farging move. AR and Co. make me farging sick.
I did like this part though:
QuoteYesterday, the Eagles' shortsighted philosophy crushed the team when the unthinkable happened and McNabb went down with a devastating knee injury.
It sucks, but I definately wouldn't call it
unthinkable.
BTW, who would win in a three way cripple fight? Westbrook, C-Buck, or McNabb?
Quote from: FFatPatt on November 20, 2006, 01:42:08 PM
I'm not a huge fan of Ashley Fox's writing. In this case, it's because I'd like to know what the general standard is league-wide. Frankly, I don't think very many head coaches give any QB besides their starter reps with the 1st team. So while she makes it sound like the coaching staff was making a mistake, I'd venture to say no less than 75% of NFL teams do the exact same thing.
I just think there are much more important reasons to say goodbye to Reid.
FF, I think the point here is that you have a QB that has bits made from procelain, and his backups got ZERO time with the first team in months. I do however agree with you about seeing the league wide average.
Maybe this points to Garcia being able to do better in the next game than he did in relief yesterday.
Maybe.
Quote from: FFatPatt on November 20, 2006, 01:42:08 PM
I'm not a huge fan of Ashley Fox's writing. In this case, it's because I'd like to know what the general standard is league-wide. Frankly, I don't think very many head coaches give any QB besides their starter reps with the 1st team. So while she makes it sound like the coaching staff was making a mistake, I'd venture to say no less than 75% of NFL teams do the exact same thing.
I was thinking about that also, but then I read Garcia's comment about his previous backup experiences on other teams.
Quote from: Susquehanna Birder on November 20, 2006, 01:47:56 PM
Maybe this points to Garcia being able to do better in the next game than he did in relief yesterday.
Maybe.
I hope he sucks.
How many days until the draft?
Quote from: MURP on November 20, 2006, 01:48:39 PM
I was thinking about that also, but then I read Garcia's comment about his previous backup experiences on other teams.
Yeah, but how much of that is a 2nd stringer just making excuses for playing in mediocre fashion when called upon, and how much is relaying the experience when he was a backup behind a guy like Joey Harrington, and not Donovan?
when this season comes to an end mcnabb will have missed 20 of his last 80 games
and thats not including the games he misses at the start of next year
Your starting All-Pro quarterback has been hurt A TON during his career.
Obviously the best decision is to give zero reps to the backups. Obviously.
what happens when mcnabb is tired or has to use the bathroom or gets nicked up or even hurt...
does andy just send the first unit to the sidelines?
I think Garcia and Feeley will both get a chance to prove to us this year that reps with the first team don't change how much they each suck in their own right.
shtein. AR is a tool. In no way can we pin this one on Garcia. like you said rjs, starting qb has gone down in the pst few years (i'm not even including the NFCG against Carolina) and the backup gets no reps with the first unit.
Once again the eight ball says "All signs point to dipshtein".
Quote from: MURP on November 20, 2006, 01:48:39 PM
Quote from: FFatPatt on November 20, 2006, 01:42:08 PM
I'm not a huge fan of Ashley Fox's writing. In this case, it's because I'd like to know what the general standard is league-wide. Frankly, I don't think very many head coaches give any QB besides their starter reps with the 1st team. So while she makes it sound like the coaching staff was making a mistake, I'd venture to say no less than 75% of NFL teams do the exact same thing.
I was thinking about that also, but then I read Garcia's comment about his previous backup experiences on other teams.
That's what got me too. I don't pretend to know much about the behind the scenes stuff that goes on with NFL teams but it only seems like common sense that you give your back up qb(s) at least a few reps with the first team offense on a weekly basis.
And then when you've got a coach like Reid who is supposedly one of the best prepared coaches in the league,I find it even more disturbing that he doesn't give his back ups any time at all with the starters. For a guy who is supposed to be prepared for anything he certainly didn't seem to be prepared to play a game without his QB who's been injured 2 or the last 3 years (2003, 2005).
I think the only thing proven about Reid is that he takes a lot of time to prepare, not that he's actually any good at it.
Quote from: rjs246 on November 20, 2006, 01:53:11 PM
Your starting All-Pro quarterback has been hurt A TON during his career.
Obviously the best decision is to give zero reps to the backups. Obviously.
Don't forget you also drop him back 45+ times a game, instead of running the ball at all.
I hate to admit this, but I am seeping over to the "New Blood" camp for head coach. I don't pretend to know what happens behind closed dorrs, which I know is not the cool thing to do here, but if everything I have read is spot-on true, then Andy has lost touch. I think that's a big "if" by the way.
Quote from: Father Demon on November 20, 2006, 03:05:28 PM
I hate to admit this, but I am seeping over to the "New Blood" camp for head coach. I don't pretend to know what happens behind closed dorrs, which I know is not the cool thing to do here, but if everything I have read is spot-on true, then Andy has lost touch. I think that's a big "if" by the way.
I agree - Andy has lost control of this team. This team has the talent to win the division and probably contend for the NFC title, but Andy isn't getting them ready to play. There is a clear lack of discipline and commitment - that is 100% a coaching problem.
Lets just hope Lurie and Banner seep on over ASAP.
Just another example of Reid's lack of preparation. He's in fargin mormon land thinking false God knows what.
I'm not even shocked by this shtein anymore. I knew all I needed to know when Andy gave the team a week off after 3 straight losses.
Quote from: Hoe Cakes on November 20, 2006, 07:08:33 PM
I'm not even shocked by this shtein anymore. I knew all I needed to know when Andy gave the team a week off after 3 straight losses.
Oh man, I had blocked that out. Now that you've reminded me, I'm furious anew. farg Andy Reid.
let the hate flow...it makes you stronger
I would like to say that I am shocked by this, but I am not. Fire him immediately.
Quote from: Drunkmasterflex on November 20, 2006, 07:35:22 PM
I would like to say that I am shocked by this, but I am not. Fire him immediately.
Ditto.
And welcome to the Dark Side all you new comers.
...and we pray! :evil
Andy used to be a good coach, and if he left here and went somewhere else then I'd bet he'd turn that team around too.
Whether he is a great coach still remains to be seen, but right now he has worn out his welcome here. The players will never admit to it, but you can just see it. The Eagles of old would never have came out against a 2-7 team that meant their season and played with no fire. It had nothing to do with talent. For one, the Eagles are much more talented than the Titans, so that is moot, and the Eagles of old have beaten inferior teams with less talent than they have now.
There was no excuse for the Eagles to not have done anything but blow out the Titans. Andy's message is lost. He has been here for a long time and most head coaches don't stay in one place as long as Andy has been here. He can't motivate them anymore, it's over.
Quote from: SunMo on November 20, 2006, 07:26:38 PM
let the hate flow...it makes you stronger
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