Andy Reid: "Terrible" Coaching Job to Blame for Embarrassing Loss in Arizona

By: Kim O'Hara | Posted: September 24, 2012

Count Andy Reid among the Philadelphia faithful blaming him for Sunday’s woeful 27-6 defeat. The Eagles head coach addressed his team’s shortcomings against a well-prepared Arizona Cardinals squad in a press conference that likely echoed sentiments expressed in Philadelphia bars and living rooms alike: 

“I didn’t have my football team ready to play. They did, and my hat’s off to them. Field position, turnovers, you can’t play a good football team like that and have the turnovers that we had and not have field position. You’ve got to do a better job than that, and that again absolutely is on me. I’ve got to get my football team ready to play. I did a terrible job this week.” 

Reid makes one excellent point after another. Quarterback Michael Vick’s ball security continues to be an issue (Philadelphia has committed twelve turnovers in as many quarters of football), but the offensive line offered him so little protection it looked like he was scrambling on every play. Safety Kerry Rhodes executed Arizona’s statement play at the conclusion of the first half, bursting untouched through the porous offensive line and forcing a Vick fumble, which was returned for a 93 yard touchdown by James Sanders.

It’s refreshing to hear a coach take accountability for his team’s performance, especially since Reid is on a very public, very hot seat this season. The Eagles were fortunate to scrape by with a pair of one-point wins after committing a combined nine turnovers to open the season. It was a matter of time before they were unable to overcome certain inadequacies, particularly quarterback protection and offensive play-calling. Reid now has one week to work on these inadequacies before the New York Giants come to Philadelphia in a primetime divisional matchup. 

And improve he must: if the same Giants team that batted around Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers takes the field next Sunday, and no adjustments have been made to an Eagles squad that was thoroughly outplayed and embarrassed in Phoenix, it will be a long night at the Linc. And possibly the start of an even longer season for Reid. 

Kim O'Hara is the Associate Editor of TheFootballGirl.com. She is an avid fan of sports in general, but the NFL in particular. She has also been a contributor to ESPN the Magazine. Follow her on Twitter: @arahomik    

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