Ashley Fox was a longtime (and underrated) writer at the Philadelphia Inquirer before getting a gig as NFL columnist for ESPN.com.
That’s why I read her interesting take on Andy Reid this week a lot more seriously than if it came from, say, some talking head who was debating Skip Bayless.
“Andy Reid is not going to lose his job. Not during this season, or afterward, no matter what happens Sunday against Arizona or later this month against the Giants or in December against the Jets,” Fox writes.
That’s pretty definitive. The reasoning for Fox’s take -- which has to have a lot of reporting buried behind it -- is fairly clear. Eagles owner Jeff Lurie doesn’t want to be swayed by the passion of his fans. Reid’s contract runs through 2013. And after evaluating Reid, the owner will determine the team is better off with Reid than without him.
Logic says that the next eight games make a difference. Imagine if the Eagles finished 3-13 or even 5-11. Imagine if this season gets worse before it gets better. That wouldn’t factor heavily into Lurie’s decision?
If Reid and the Eagles finish respectably -- even if they miss the playoffs -- Fox strongly believes Lurie’s default will be to keep Reid around. Whether Eagles fans like or not, that makes a lot of sense.