Is Andy Reid Losing His Locker Room?

Picture courtesy of pro32.ap.org

Hurricane Sandy couldn't of painted a better picture for yesterday's debacle in Philadelphia.  In embarrassing fashion, the Philadelphia Eagles were handed their third loss in a row, slipping to the Atlanta Falcons 30-17.  This has also been the first loss coming out of a bye during the Andy Reid era.

Prior to yesterday, when Reid had two weeks to prepare for a game, he was 13-0.  However, this year was a different story.  

Plain and simple, Reid seems to have lost his locker room, and here are my reasons: 

• Coming off an inexcusable loss to the Detroit Lions two weeks ago, the Eagles' coaching staff supposedly "challenged" their players to look at themselves in the mirror and see if they could turn the season around from average to above average.  That "challenge" didn't seem to have any affect as the Eagles came out flat yet again against the Falcons, especially the defense; they were scrutinized a week ago for giving up a 10-point lead with four minutes left in regulation against the Lions, which resulted in the firing of defensive coordinator Juan Castillo.  

• Players like Michael Vick are questioning their job security.  Vick, who dearly respects Reid - since he is the one who gave him another shot in the NFL - seems to have a bit of a change of heart for his coach, who announced that "he'll evaluate the quarterback position."  Maybe he just wants to tell Reid to come out with a balanced play-calling approach, so he can feel protected and more confident in the pocket.  Maybe Vick is tired of hearing Reid saying the same things, cough cough "we got to do a better job."  Or maybe Vick is just not good enough.  Ultimately, it has been all talk, but no change from Reid.

• In the Atlanta game, the Eagles' defense allowed points on every possession until late in the fourth quarter; the Falcons almost went the entire game without punting!  Costly penalties, bad tackling and the wrong in-game decisions all played a role in their pathetic performance.  LeSean McCoy summarized it best after the game, when he explained that he didn't see any heart from his team.  In times of need, Reid's players didn't seem to respond. 

A change is needed.  I think Reid will change the game plan if he puts in rookie quarterback Nick Foles.  Why not do the same for Vick, you might ask?  Well, we, as Eagles fans, will just never know and that sense of doubt fuels us up even more to dethrone the man in charge.