The Philadelphia Eagles and owner Jeffrey Lurie stood by while Andy Reid was bashed all season. But at last, when the Eagles fired Reid on Dec. 31, Lurie was the last to attack him for the “scattered” way the team did business, according to USA TODAY. However, the owner excused general manager Howie Roseman -- who is still staying with Philadelphia -- a lot more than his former coach.
Lurie admitted what everyone else already figured out, in that Reid’s decision-making over the last few seasons had “not been as consistent” as his glory years. In fact, he likened Philadelphia’s experimentation to “indigestion” that eventually yielded “diminishing returns.” However, while Lurie expressed frustration with the team’s methods, he made more excuses for the work of general manager Roseman.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Lurie only held Roseman accountable for the 2012 draft instead of the previous two, although the 2012 draft results won’t be clear for a few more years. In addition, he didn’t comment on his part in the Eagles’ free agency moves, although the signings of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in 2011 have clearly set the team back.
Lurie already signed Roseman to a five-year extension in June 2012, so he has no choice but to stay loyal to him. Yet with Roseman ready to take a major role in hiring Reid’s replacement, will Lurie regret putting too much faith in him, just like he put too much faith in Reid in these final years?
After this 4-12 season and the last few disappointing campaigns, nothing less than a total and complete overhaul would satisfy many Eagles fans. This is why Lurie had no choice but to finally let Reid go and throw him under the bus in yesterday’s press conference. Will he ultimately have to do the same with Roseman, if it turns out that keeping him around instead of Reid was a mistake?
Lurie gambled on Reid too long and clearly laid out the consequences for it on Dec. 31. But recognizing Philadelphia’s errors isn’t enough without a plan to change course. If Lurie is aware of how “scattered” the Eagles have been, he and Roseman should also know how to make them focused again -- at least in theory.
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