I know that everyone here is frustrated, as am I.  The way I look at our current situation is that we’re an 8-8 team with 12-4 talent.  There’s no other way to look at this team at this point.  I know we can point fingers at certain players, and in some instances, rightfully so, but the more and more I think about it, almost every single shortcoming that this team has right now goes back to coaching.  And it’s not just play calling; it’s everything.  I didn’t think I would ever say this, but one of two things need to happen; either Reid needs to go or the offensive play calling duties need to be handed over to the OC (ya know, the guy that we’re paying to coordinate the offense). 

Offensively and defensively, this season has been a tale of two teams.  I’m going to talk about the offensive side of the ball first.  Almost every game this season (and really the past few seasons) has seen us start quickly, and rack up an early lead, only to turn into a team that looks like we’re playing not to loose rather than playing to win.  We have a huge and complex offensive playbook, but once we’re up (or half way through the second quarter, whichever comes first), it seems that our playbook gets scaled back to “safe” plays out of a select few sets and we’re willing to play for field position and hope the defense can keep us ahead.  Part of this is due to the fact that we start playing safe, but part of this is due to the fact that Reid is just not good at adjusting to what the defense is doing to us during the game.  Childress and Gruden were extremely good at this, but since they have left and Andy has taken over the play calling duties, how many games have we seen slip away after early leads because our offense suddenly can’t move the ball?  Coaching.  Importatnly, there’s nothing wrong with this.  Reid is good at developing the players he needs for his schemes.  That’s where his offensive duties should stop.  That’s why we hire an OC; so he can concentrate on game time adjustments.  That’s his damn job.

Second, the player packages have got to be scaled back a bit.  I realize the package concept is important in a West Coast offense, but we’ve gone overboard.  As some of you have stated, we need to keep our best players (right now Brown, Jackson, and Westbrook) on the field more than what we are doing.  How can your best players get the ball from the bench?  I have no problem using other packages to keep the defense guessing, but it’s out of control.  This is also a coaching decision. 

Finally, the play calling as a whole is disgusting.  I can tell by down and distance what we are likely to do, and if I can do it, the other teams can as well, and that’s a bad thing Big Red.  You have a playbook as thick as a phone book; use it.  Additionally, what the hell happened to the deep ball to Jackson the past two games?  Chicago’s secondary is suspect at best and the Skins were without Springs.  If you want the defense to respect the short and mid range passes, you have to put a few over the top.  I don’t even care if McNabb overthrows Jackson by 15 yards if he’s doubled.  At least show them we’re willing to take the shot.  Double moves don’t work so well if the CB knows you’re not going long.

The defense; I’ve only really got two issues with right now.  Why the hell are we not blitzing more?  We seem to come out of the chute playing with our hair on fire, disrupting passes and knocking the QB down, then all of the sudden against Dallas, Chicago and now Washington, we sat back and let Romo, Orton (fucking Orton!?!?), and Campbell pick us apart.  I’m convinced our run defense would have been fine last night if we kept the pressure on Campbell.  Once he was able to sit in the pocket and pick us apart, we had to pull the linebackers back into more coverage and then we got mashed by the run.  Jesus, at this point, just blitz every down until we get burnt.  Make them prove they can deal with the blitz before we just stop doing it.  Coaching.  Secondly, can we stop a TE please?  Pretty please?  After 5 weeks, I think there’s a pattern here.  JJ, figure something the hell out already.  Coaching…

Special teams as a whole, I’m neither here nor there.  Some stupid penalties, some poor coverage, but we’ve also shown some great return ability this year.  So I’m happy about that.  Unfortunately, David Akers, please pack your belongings; there’s a cab outside waiting for you.  The Eagles have always been good at evaluating aging players and parting ways when their production decreased.  Why is this different now?  Once again, this is a coaching decision.

Andy, hand it over to Marty or step aside and let’s hire someone that will.  JJ, stop playing not too loose and play to win…  Also cover a TE huh?  And Rory (or Andy) get Akers a nice “Thank You” card and a cake and kindly show him the fucking door…