Giants open the door, Eagles don't walk through

Another close game, another tough loss: 36-31 was the tally. So what now for the Eagles? Let's first analyze the game.

It appears that Reid is up to his old tricks--tricks that aren't really tricky at all, and rarely are they successful. Neglecting the rest of the game, it comes down to two minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Eagles are making progress down the field. So here we are, third and two, and immediately I think we will give it to McNabb and either have him bootleg or do a short screen or underneath route and pass the ball off. Instead, we run the ball. Strong side. Gain of a yard at the most. Are you serious? How many times can they fail at a power-running game before Reid realizes he can't do it?

Well the answer is clearly more than the Eagles have done so far. So fourth and one, generally speaking a very make-able situation, especially considering they just scored a touchdown on a fourth down their last drive. The Eagles can't possibly run again...can they? Not when it has failed so many times.

Oh, but you'd be wrong to think that. Run off tackle. No gain, and as quickly as the Eagles had gained hope, they lost it. If this is not a wake-up call for a change in the play calling, I don't know what is. I also don't know what goes through Reid's head when he makes some of the decisions he does. You can't blame him for every mistake, but some of these are just plain egregious. All you have to do is anything else other than try to run for short yardage. If you try a pass play and fail, well at least we know we couldn't have run it anyway.

Reid is also one of the worst when it comes to challenging plays. Unfortunately he rarely ever gets one right. From now on, it is better if he relinquishes the right to throw the red flag and hand those over to Marty or Jimmy. On the topic of handing things over, he also ought to hand the play calling over to Marty again. I mean, what else is he supposed to do anyway? I find it very hard to trust Reid's judgment anymore in tight situations.

The big story, though, was the fact that the Eagles run defense, giving up a paltry 89 yards a game before this night, allowed over 200 yards from a dynamic Giants run team. I don't so much as blame the Eagles defense as I commend the Giants offense. Their offensive line is very good, and their backfield has three very different looks, which works wonders for them. The Giants are built to run, and built to run well. If only we could say the same for the Eagles, but the fact is the Eagles haven't been truly built to run in the last decade, mainly because of Reid's "pass first" mentality. That's fine so long as it works for you, and maybe it did work for the Eagles in past seasons, but now it doesn't fly anymore.

All three NFC East opponents have strong running backs (Jacobs, Barber, Portis) as opposed to just one fragile little guy (Westbrook). Don't get me wrong, Westbrook is a great player--but he's no power back, and needs holes and lanes in order to be real successful. I long thought that the team needed a compliment to him, even Duce was a decent enough change of pace, but the team parted ways with him and have not yet replaced that power side. Buckhalter is much like Westbrook. Booker is just another one, only worse. Tony Hunt was bigger, but we see how well that worked. Where is Dorsey Levens when you need him?

Anyway, the reality of the game is it should not have been so close. The Giants controlled it for the most part, and a few mistakes they made allowed Philly to stay close and even lead at times.

As much as I respect Reid for what he has done, I doubt the Eagles could even win a Superbowl with him at the helm. With two years left on his contract, it might be time now to start looking for his replacement. He has done a lot for the team, and it was a nice change from Ray Rhodes, but I think his tenure here has just about run its course. I'm not even so sure the Eagles could win a Superbowl with McNabb, although I think chances are better with him. Still, he is getting on in age and is showing fatigue among other things. He doesn't have the legs that made him such a threat before, and McNabb has never been a true pocket passer. He has a gun but is far too inconsistent.

So what now for the Eagles? Well, aside from needing changes off-the-field, player changes will also undoubtedly be on the horizon. Need new receivers? Definitely, despite any allegiances the coaches may have to the current squad. The Eagles made it to the Superbowl the same year they had a one Terrell Owens. Coincidence? Even you Owens haters (myself included), I don't think so. A fullback? Check. A power running back? Most definitely. The offensive linemen also need help, try finding guys that are known for their run blocking. The defense, for the most part, is okay. Maybe a few details, but really the offense is in need of overhaul.

While I personally believe it is time to move on from the Reid era, only time will tell if Banner and/or Lurie agree with me. One thing is true, though--no longer is the organization or the team on the field the "gold standard."