3 yards and you win.
3 yards with 4 attempts and the biggest offensive line in the NFL and you win.

Andy Reid has had to answer a lot of questions in the last 24 hours, as the Philadelphia Eagles could not win a game that was practically handed to them on a silver platter. The Chicago Bears had a complete melt down in the 2nd half, and the Eagles for the life of them couldn’t seem to find the end zone despite several attempts. Eagles fans are the hardest to please, as they can always find something to bitch about, but after browsing message boards and blogs it seems there is a consensus feeling as to what went wrong….the play calling. Head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg seem to be using a playbook from the early 90′s, as nothing seems creative or original in any way.

The Eagles run the West Coast Offense, which is a popular scheme, but it can have its flaws. Bill Walsh was the mastermind behind the “West Coast” style that attacks defenses with quick slants and screens. It is also known for never focusing on one target, instead getting the ball in everyones hands, thus keeping defenses guessing. Many teams are currently running the West Coast system, including Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Washington. However, there are different versions of this style of football; it’s like telling a funny story or joke, over time you add your own quirks or twists to it. Unfortunately, it seems like Andy Reid has forgotten how to deliver the punch line. Andy Reid has built his team to move the ball with speed rather than size. Their top receivers D. Jackson, R. Brown, and K. Curtis are all small speedy guys who are great between the 20′s, but are not fit for the red zone. Improving the red zone scoring percentage was number one on the “things to do list” for Andy Reid and M. Mornhinweg last offseason, but with no pass catching TE’s or additions to the play calling such as motion or unique formations, Eagles fans are in for another frustrating season. If I could make a suggestion, it would be getting McNabb to practice the fade route (which he hates) to Hank Baskett, or to use a bunch receiver formation off to one side, keeping the defense split as the pass has to be expected. I have never seen the slant pattern into the dirt work for Philadelphia, yet they try it at least once a game. I wonder if they call that play the Quick Dirt?