I consider myself lucky have been an Eagles fan throughout
the entire Andy Reid Era.
From 1950 to 1977, a span of 28 football seasons, the
Philadelphia Eagles made the playoffs only once, winning one of their three NFL
Championships in 1960.
After four straight years of making the playoffs, the Eagles
missed the postseason from 1982 to 1987.
In the 12 years that followed, the Eagles had limited
success, making the playoffs in six of those seasons, but never advancing past
the divisional round.
But then, an unknown coaching hire changed the face of the
franchise forever.
Andy Reid, who became the coach during the final year of
that 12-year span, posted a 5-11 record during his first season in 1999 — but
that 5-11 season ended on a high note as rookie quarterback led the Eagles to a
pair of wins in Weeks 16 and 17, including a huge win over the soon-to-be Super
Bowl champion St. Louis Rams.
The playoffs would have to wait a year, but the end of 1999
was the start of something great.
The Eagles made the playoffs in nine of the next 11 seasons
under Reid, who ran the most successful era of Eagles football in franchise
history.
Yes, there were no Super Bowl trophies hoisted in the air
and paraded down Broad Street, but for a decade the Eagles were relevant in
December and January.
I grew up watching the Eagles fall short of the playoffs
often, with their hopes dashed long before the Christmas lights were glowing bright in my neighborhood.
That is why it is a bittersweet feeling to know that Sunday
marked — what is being reported as — the end of the Andy Reid Era.
I’ve been a staunch supporter of Reid over the last 14
years, but it was after the losing streak reached six straight games that I
began to change my mind. This team is broken and it needs to be fixed — and
it starts with a new regime.
So I understand why Reid is expected to be fired by Monday.
Eagles fans, especially the ones who have been chanting
“Fire Reid” for years, understand, too.
But no matter how long they’ve been on the “Fire Andy Reid”
train, Eagles fans cannot forget the last 14 years.
They can be upset about this season, but they cannot let the
anger of 2012 block out the great memories created over the last 14 years.
From the Super Bowl run to the four straight NFC
Championship games to the 2008 surprise run to the NFC Championship against the
Cardinals, it’s been a great run.
This season marked only the second time since 2000 that the
Eagles were not playing for a playoff spot in the final two weeks of the
season.
Not many fans of other franchises can say that.
And that is why I will miss Andy Reid.
I will miss his poor time management.
I will miss his unbalanced offense.
But most of all, I will miss the wins.
That’s right.
Eagles fans have complained a lot over the last 14 years,
but they’ve also left the stadium or walked away from the TV having watched a
win 129 times.
And that is why I thank Coach Reid for all that he has done and I cannot wait to cheer for him when he is inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame.
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