& in with the old
a coach because of what he has gone through off the field.
“I think he will always have our support,” Lurie said. “Everybody in this community, Andy will always have our sympathy and support, but this is a business. You are there to win and win big and you have to separate the two. All of the analysis will be on Andy Reid the coach.”
Things are deteriorating with the Eagles, even though they are 3-3, as is half the NFL. Last week, Reid fired defensive coordinator Juan Castillo after the Eagles blew their seventh fourth-quarter lead in the 22 games since Reid promoted Castillo last year from offensive line coach, which is a strange career change, by the way. The problem with the Eagles is not the defense. It’s Mi
chael Vick’s inability to protect the football. Philly has scored only 103 points — 17 per game — which is 75 fewer than the Giants. The Eagles’ three victories have come by a total of four points — one-point victories over the Browns and Ravens and a two-point win over the Giants. Vick has thrown eight interceptions and fumbled nine times, losing five.
The next step for Reid is to take over the play-calling from offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. After that, all that’s left is to bench Vick. Although rookie Nick
Foles, a third-round pick, had an impressive preseason, Reid will be conceding defeat on the season if he benches Vick. But he might view it as a way of buying himself some benefit of the doubt with Lurie if Foles plays well and gives some hope for the future.
TRADE-BOW?
Why would the Jets bring in Kevin O’Connell, their one-time third-string quarterback, for a tryout last week when Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and Greg McElroy are healthy? Here’s the theory: Could they be looking to move Tebow by the Nov. 6 trade deadline? Tebow has been used sparingly this season and it’s clear, other than fake punts, he doesn’t have a role on the team. The Jets gave up a fourth-round pick for Tebow and would be fortunate if they recoup their investment. One former NFL general manager doubted anyone would trade for Tebow in two weeks. “Why do I want to bring the circus into my locker room?” he said.
LONDON CALLING
Now that the NFL is putting two games in London in 2013 (Steelers-Vikings on Sept. 29 and 49ers-Jaguars on Oct. 27), here’s my question: Will there be a team in London before there is a team in Los Angeles?... Mike Holmgren is 64 years old and he’s out as the Browns president after the season. I would be surprised if he gets back into coaching. He last coached Seattle in 2008. He has two years left at $8 million a year on his Browns contract. But if Jerry Jones thinks Holmgren’s history with Brett Favre can finally get
Tony Romo to the next level, then Holmgren’s ego is big enough that he could accept that challenge. Or maybe the Chargers think he can get Philip Rivers to the Super Bowl. More likely, he goes back to his gorgeous home in Seattle and becomes a consultant. If he does anything, maybe he returns to run the Seahawks, which he nearly did before taking the job in Cleveland near the end of the 2009 season...If
Norv Turner gets booted after the season, then Reid to the Chargers is worth watching.
RAY OF HOPE
The Ravens placed Ray Lewis, who is out after tearing his triceps last week, on the eight-week injured reserve list, holding out hope that he can return this season. If Lewis doesn’t make it back this season, I don’t see him retiring. Not like this. There had been speculation this was going to be his last season because he wants to see his son’s football games at the University of Miami. Ray Lewis III has committed to play there in 2013. But his father is too proud to walk away off an injury. Remember, Lawrence Taylor had planned to retire after the 1992 season but after suffering a season-ending torn Achilles in the seventh game, LT came back for one more season…The Eagles are 3-3 and could be 0-6. The Patriots are 3-3 and could be 6-0. Philly’s three victories are by a total of four points. New England’s three losses are by a total of four points… Peyton Manning may not have his fastball anymore, but he doesn’t need it. He was nearly perfect in Denver’s second half comeback last week in San Diego, completing 13 of 14 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns. It was Manning at his best: Calling the plays at the line of scrimmage, getting everybody lined up, confusing the defense. Great stuff. Great to have him back.