Run Andy, Run!

Allright, I have a few hours distance from the Eagles devastating loss to the Ravens, and here's where my head is at. Basically, the same place it's been for much of the Andy Reid era. In the NFL, if the defense knows you're going to pass every time, they will beat you. And when you do try to run every now and again in a pass-happy offense, it's impossible to develop any sort of rhythm, control the clock, and get the first downs you need. Not only will the defense tee off on you if they know you're going to pass every down, but when you're QB is struggling, the only way to get him out of his funk is to start running the ball.

Yes, we know Brian Westbrook is hurt, but the Eagles have at least one, and probably two, capable backups. One of them, Lorenzo Booker, didn't even dress today b/c Andy Reid dressed 6 WRs. The other, Correll Buckhalter, had 2 carries and left the game hurt, meaning Westbrook had to come in on his bad ankle and knee. Not good.

I know I'm not an NFL coach, but this stuff seems so obvious. A few years back when Jeff Garcia led the Eagles to the division and a playoff victory, they turned their season around by running the ball. I guess Andy Reid's memory is a short one though, because we've seen no willingness to run from him. On 2nd and inches, and 3rd and short, he repeatedly passes the ball. And the team repeatedly fails to convert. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, so I guess this means that Andy Reid is insane? Don't take that literally, but come on Andy. Get your friggin head on straight!

Take a look at the below rushing attempt stats from today's games. Yes, I know this is an imperfect analysis, because when teams get ahead, they can afford to run the ball. But even in this imperfect analysis, there's a common theme: winners control the clock by running the ball, and losers don't. Period.

Houston (beat CLE): 36 carries to 20
Dallas (beat SFO): 29 carries to 15
Tampa (beat DET): 32 carries to 22
Jets (beat TEN): 39 carries to 11
Buffalo (beat KC): 38 carries to 13
Bears (beat STL): 32 carries to 19
New England (beat MIA): 25 carries to 19
Minnesota (beat JAX): 35 carries to 14
Oakland (beat DEN): 41 carries to 28
Atlanta (beat CAR): 33 carries to 26
NY Giants (beat ARI): 27 carries to 15
Washington (beat SEA): 41 carries to 20

Baltimore destroyed the pass happy Eagles with 40 carries, while the Eagles mustered only 21. Sure, it's better than last week, but nowhere near enough to establish the run as an important part of your offense. And honestly, even if you don't have confidence in your running game, the worst that can happen is that you go 3 and out, just like you do with the passing game every single week!

So yes, I still believe this season is over for the Eagles, as well as the Donovan McNabb era. But if things are going to change, Andy Reid must reinvent himself, and train is offense to excel at the things necessary to help a QB succeed.

Tomorrow, some thoughts on our miserable crew of Wide Receivers.