For the past few weeks, we've been talking about football dynasties past and perhaps present. Of the two teams in this year's Super Bowl, the dynasty discussion has swirled about only one. Which is a little strange, if you ask me. Sure, we generally reserve dynasty status for those teams which win multiple championships. But for sustained excellence, what the Eagles have accomplished over Andy Reid's tenure is every bit the equal of the Patriots under Belichick.
The Eagles have the most victories in the league over the past five seasons, and over the past four are tied with the Patriots for most wins. The Eagles have made it to four consecutive NFC Championship games, while the Patriots actually managed to miss the playoffs in 2002. During this run the Eagles have flat out dominated their Division, despite the presence of coaching legends in Dallas and DC. Yet the Eagles are somehow still seen as lovable losers and Reid is never called a genius. (Jason Whitlock suggests, " Philly coach Andy Reid isn't getting his proper respect as a football 'genius' because he's overweight. ")
I love Andy Reid. He's fantastic. Think about it: Before this season he coached the Eagles to the NFC Championship game three straight seasons with no one at wide receiver. He helped Donovan McNabb develop into a great quarterback - without a wide receiver. He somehow manages an offense and puts points on the board with no wide receivers! It reminds me of no performance so much as that of the Patriots the past few seasons as they won and won and won without a running game. It is no surprise at all that, this season, when both teams filled their lack they dominated their Conferences.
In terms of player development, game planning, and motivation Andy Reid is one of the two best head coaches in the NFL. The one aspect of the game where the Eagles have been behind the Patriots - and this shows signs of changing - is scouting and acquiring players for depth. The Eagles won't win the Super Bowl this season, but they are close. And when they do, they will deserve to be considered among the very best teams - with no doubt at all about their coach.
. . .
Some well-deserved love for the coaching staffs.
Posted by Martial