When the Eagles built a 3-1 record via a trio of close wins that could have easily gone the other way, Philly fans didn’t think their team was getting enough credit.
Five straight losses later, the Eagles were in hindsight getting too much credit.
But while the bulk of the blame will go to coach Andy Reid, it’s not yet a given that owner Jeffrey Lurie will fire the 14-year coach. If the Eagles fail to show improvement down the stretch, it will be. But if there’s an uptick, Lurie could decide to give Reid another chance.
Forgotten in the notorious “8-8 will get Reid fired” press conference from Lurie was the asterisk he applied for a rash of injuries. A rash of injuries on the offensive line has contributed to the poor performance of the team.
Also, keep in mind the notion that Lurie will want the team to be desirable to a new coach. With no franchise quarterback, a looming cap problem in 2013, a nucleus of players that is getting closer to (and above) 30, and a not-so-hot drafts in 2010 and 2011, a coach with options may opt not to come to Philly.
And so Lurie still may opt to keep Reid. The key could be coaxing the kind of performance from rookie quarterback Nick Foles to make Lurie believe that the team’s interests will be best served by keeping Reid around.
Again, the chances of that happening are shrinking every week. But while the fans and the media are presuming it’s a done deal, Reid’s still not done yet.