How about some accountability?
There is a problem with the Eagles, and it’s something much bigger than calling for a pass instead of a run near the goal line.
Early in the fourth quarter, with the Eagles having just fallen into a nine-point hole, the Redskins kicked off. As returner Quintin Demps was quickly tackled, three flags flew -- one from the North, South and West. All were directed at Jason Avant for an illegal block above the waist.
Avant disagreed, flared his arms in disgust and shouted some not-so-kind words at the officials. Regardless, it was an obvious penalty, a foolish penalty, pinning the Eagles inside their own 20 to start their comeback attempt.
Avant jogged off the field and meandered right past coach Andy Reid. Not a word, a scowl or a nasty glare from the coach. Nothing.
Reid didn’t say a single word to the guilty wide receiver. There was no shaking of the head, Bill Parcells or Bill Cowher explosion, bitter beer face or sign of disappointment in his players’ mistake. It was like nothing negative had happened. Reid just buried his nose in the trusty chart that has become his gameday trademark.
And that is the problem. There appears to be no accountability with this Eagles team. Nobody is scared to make a mistake. Nobody is worried about the repercussions that stem from costly miscues.
Maybe Avant received an earful at Monday’s film session. Ditto tight end L.J. Smith for lining up on the wrong side for a key third-and-1 from the Redskins’ two in the fourth quarter. But those types of reprimands haven’t stopped the Eagles from making the same mistakes and experiencing the same problems for what is now the last year and a half.
Will Avant or Smith see diminished playing time due to their gaffes? Doubtful. Was Matt Schobel’s roster spot in jeopardy after basically falling asleep at the line of scrimmage on fourth down against the Bears? Not quite. The paychecks keep coming and the bank accounts keep growing with an increased sense of security, no matter how bad the performance or egregious the error.
When Reid was asked Monday whether he was confident what he was saying was resonating throughout the locker room, he responded, “yeah, I think so.” Think so? He has to know so.
But striking fear into his players is not the Andy Reid way anymore. Maybe early in his tenure Reid might have you pushing the sled in front of the media. Now, at most, a guilty player might get an earful while lounging in the comfortable NovaCare Complex confines with an energy drink in one hand and a plate of ribs in the other. Somebody please reprimand me!
Reid’s transformed into a players coach. He’s well liked and protects his players. Maybe they don’t go clubbing together, but never will anyone be singled out in a press conference. Never will blame ever be placed publicly on any one players’ shoulders.
If you’ve been around Reid at all the last 10 years, you know he “has to be a better job. It all starts with me. It’s my responsibility.”
Well, this time Reid’s right. It does start with him. He needs to be more demanding. He needs to change. What worked at the beginning of his tenure has become stale and ineffective. The same mistakes and miscues are happening over and over again. Sunday’s loss to the Redskins was last year’s loss to the Giants. Same game, same result, same problems.
This current group of Eagles is unable to rally when the momentum is working against them. Something is definitely missing, and that something is accountability.
