Everyone is trying to put a finger on why the Eagles are off to a 1-4 start. Is it all on Andy Reid? Did Reid’s decision to hire former offensive line coach, Juan Castillo, to defensive coordinator do in the team? Is the wide nine style of defense the Eagles run it’s fatal weakness? All are fair questions. Let us take a deeper look at the most obvious reason: the shortened offseason.
The Eagles won the battle of free agency. It seemed like almost every day the Eagles added another talent to an already playoff ready roster. Names such as Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Ronnie Brown, Steve Smith and Vince Young excited Eagles fans everywhere. There was a catch…..the NFL lockout limited the time these players had to practice together.
It stands to make sense. I have been saying for quite some time that the players the Eagles brought in did not “get bad” overnight. Of course, Juan Castillo has alot of culpability, but there just has to be a bigger reason for their lack of success: Allen Iverson’s favorite thing……Practice.
No matter what level an athlete reaches, practice is paramount, especially in the ultimate team game, NFL football. The Eagles welcomed so many new faces that they are still meshing. Acclimation amongst players, along with learning a new scheme can cause glaring flaws.
The Eagles do not have much time left to turn the ship around. The playoffs seem like a distant stretch. Hopefully, the more time spent together, the stronger the defense will be. And hopefully, the players have not already mentally checked out.
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