TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Philly Toasts Reid, McNabb

ADVERTISEMENT

A Tribune wire report

Published: January 16, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - Andy Reid was a fool, a coach who kept making the same mistakes and was too stubborn to change his ways. Donovan McNabb was a bum, a quarterback past his prime who couldn't win the big game.

The Philadelphia Eagles were 5-5-1 and headed nowhere. That didn't sit well with folks in this tough-minded city. Many people - fans, columnists, radio hosts - wanted Reid fired. Some wanted McNabb benched, traded or released.

Get rid of one? Send 'em both packing? That was the hot topic of conversation in newspapers, on talk shows, around the water cooler.

Seems like ancient history now.

The Eagles (11-6-1) will play the Arizona Cardinals (11-7) in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. Somehow they went from being a last-place team on the verge of rebuilding to one that's two wins away from hoisting that elusive Vince Lombardi Trophy.

"I don't think Philadelphia is any different than any other city in the country," team owner Jeffrey Lurie said. "When you're struggling, the coach and the quarterback are always the targets in the NFL. There's no secret there."

Reid and McNabb have compiled impressive resumes in their 10 years together in Philadelphia. Seven playoff berths. Five division championships. Five trips to the NFC title game. One Super Bowl appearance.

All that's left to punctuate their credentials and possibly punch their ticket to Canton is winning that ring. First, the Eagles have to beat Arizona to get another Super Bowl shot.

"You just focus on the game," McNabb said. "Anytime that you begin to lose focus of what's at hand, then you begin to second-guess things that you're doing. You just have to go out there and play mistake-free football focusing on the present time. Anytime you go into, 'Well this could be it,' or 'I don't know how much longer' and all of that, then other things will get in the way on you. So, I've just tried to have a clear mind of just going out, having a great time and playing well."

Though Reid is second guessed, he has won more games than any coach in team history, and ranks second behind New England's Bill Belichick among active coaches on the all-time winning percentage list (minimum 100 games).

"My players and my assistant coaches, they've all done a great job," Reid said.

The man who signs his paychecks gives Reid respect. "He's such a good leader," Lurie said. "He's so resilient. He's been terrific for a long time."

Fitzgerald, James Key For Cards

TEMPE, Ariz. - One's career is on the rise, the other on the wane.

Larry Fitzgerald and Edgerrin James both fill crucial roles in the Arizona Cardinals' plans to beat Philadelphia on Sunday and advance, believe it or not, to the Super Bowl.

Fitzgerald's spectacular catches are the poster plays for this upstart team. James' return to the lineup and the corresponding resuscitation of Arizona's dormant running game are big reasons for the Cardinals' improbable postseason success.

Fitzgerald's incredible skills are new to much of the nation, but not to the Cardinals. Coach Ken Whisenhunt calls him the best receiver in the NFL.

"In my eyes he's been there for a while now," Whisenhunt said after the team's Thursday practice. "We see him do things on the practice field every day. Those catches that he's been making the last few weeks, we've seen those a number of times."

James, though, could be playing his last game for the Cardinals on Sunday. The 30-year-old running back, in his 10th NFL season, said two weeks ago he believes he and the team will part by mutual agreement.

James was benched halfway through the season, but came back in the regular-season finale and has been solid, if not spectacular since.

"I have a great deal of respect for James and what he has done for our team, especially in the latter part after going through a hard time," Whisenhunt said.

The Associated Press

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT