A Life Long Philadelphia Fan's Perspective On Andy Reid
Jim McIsaac. Getty Images.I've always said you can tell a lot about somebody based on their chosen "Niche" category on The Dozen. And rightfully so. It's a high pressure question with all eyes to see if you're truly an expert in the subject of your choosing. Kirk is naturally a big time golf guy whose admiration for Freddie Couples is totally normal. Eddie and Clem are big boys who know and enjoy their snacks. White Sox Dave chooses whatever category his hooves are able to Google the quickest.
Me? My Dozen "Niche" (besides the Phillies and one-off Jaws question so difficult that Speilberg himself wouldn't have been able to answer) is the Philadelphia Eagles. Specifically, the 2000-2010 squads AKA almost the entire Andy Reid era in Philly (1999-2012). Most of my maturing years were engrossed with early 2000's football and the Eagles surging in those years shaped by development more than I'd care to admit. I may have an issue remembering my anniversary or even to feed myself on occasion, but if you ask me who the Long Snapper was for the Eagles in 2001 I'm instantly taken back to memories of #88 Mike Bartrum never missing a snap while getting put in the RZ as the 3rd string TE to poach every TD possible. I also have extreme issues with time management. Is Andy Reid to blame for that? Probably not. But maybe.
Myself and many in and around Philly have been through a lot with Big Red. A LOT. From him forcing George Hegiman to push a sled a full 100 yards in 90 degree heat in his first training camp, to 5 NFC championship games (1-4 record), to the almost majestic 2004 Super Bowl season, to so many other memories on and off the football field, Big Red will always remain apart of Philly. Face it, Andy Reid is incredibly one victory from being the all-time leader in wins in Kansas City Chiefs history, but he is already the most winning Philadelphia Eagles coach of All-Time. And possibly will be forever. That's a fact. I, along with countless others across the Delaware Valley, thank Big Red for his service to the area and have zero hate in our heart towards the man.
Now prepare yourselves because over the next two weeks the uneducated and trolls will commence to revise history. Just as nobody forced Nick Foles to leave (FA to the Jags for big, well deserved money), Philly didn't run Andy Reid out of town. Not at all in the slightest. In 2012, after 14 years and 0 Super Bowls, it was simply time to move on.
People seem to forget the Eagles were 4-12 in Reid's final season, 8-8 in the 2011 "Dream Team" year, and Andy was making such moves as letting go (now competent Buffalo Bills heach coach) Sean McDerrmott for…nobody…and then after awhile when no adequate replacement appeared he gave the defensive coordinator job to…OFFENSIVE LINE COACH JUAN CASTILLO?!?!?! People forget not only how absurd it was, but how everyone accepted that outrageous personell decision. Juan Castillo was a GREAL OL coach, as well as a person, but putting him at DC to basically replace the legendary Jim Johnson because he played LB in college and "Had his OL pick up blitz schemes well" was simply preposterous. Even so, "Juanita", as Old Hickory Asswipe Jim Washburn called him, wasn't THAT despicable at DC, but it was clear Andy Reid's decision making was becoming questionable, if not inept. Every gameplan seemed to become stale and even predictable. Andy Reid's shelf life for calling shovel passes at the goal line EVERY time in the Red Zone had officially expired. His coaching tenure had run its course in Philadelphia, and his departure was as amicable as it could be.
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Nevertheless, there should be zero hard feelings for Andy Reid from a Philadelphian's standpoint. Just like Dick Vermeil, he had his chance and success here (as did Terry Francona, minus the success part) and went on to find greatness somewhere else. Larry Brown and Craig Berube, as well. To each their own. Long live Big Red, except for the 4 hours or so that surround this upcoming Championship contest. That's how I truly feel about Andy Reid and I wish him nothing but the best after the Eagles put up a 50 burger during Super Bowl LVII
Time's yours.
PS - Keep in mind the mostly fond outlook on Big Red only exists because the Eagles won a Super Bowl in 2018 before Reid in 2020. Can you imagine the Eagles suffering through 14 seasons of that clock management, passing the ball on every single down - specifically vs. teams historically awful against the rush, and millions upon millions of "I have to do a better job" excuses only to have him leave and build a dynasty somewhere else while we're left with our dicks in our hands? Exactly.
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