Eagles Wake-Up Call: How Decision-Makers View the Birds


If NFL personnel people were starting a franchise and had their pick of any coach in America, who would they choose?

That was one of the questions Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (a former scout for the Eagles) posed to 20 personnel people, and none of them chose Andy Reid.

Bill Belichick got five votes; Jim Harbaugh and Tom Coughlin got four each; Mike McCarthy got three; John Harbaugh two; and Tony Dungy and Greg Schiano one each.

If and when Reid leaves Philadelphia, he’ll definitely get a job quickly. But the survey suggests that there are a handful of coaches around the league that are more highly regarded right now.

Jeremiah actually asked a series of 20 questions to the 20 personnel people. His full article is certainly worth a read, but here are some other highlights:

* No one picked the Eagles to win the NFC this year. The Packers got nine votes, followed by the Giants (four) and the 49ers (three). The Lions, Falcons, Cowboys and Bears each got one.

* LeSean McCoy got four votes for most explosive offensive player, behind only Calvin Johnson. DeSean Jackson got a pair of votes too.

* The Eagles got two votes for most explosive offense, behind only the Packers (12) and the Saints (three).

* One personnel person picked Michael Vick for MVP. Aaron Rodgers got nine votes; Tom Brady three; and Eli Manning two.

* Fletcher Cox and Mychal Kendricks each got one vote for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

* Reid got one vote for Coach of the Year in 2012.

* Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie got a vote for the league’s biggest underachiever.

* The Eagles got one vote for the team that will make the biggest jump in 2012.

WHAT YOU MISSED

After a wild journey, safety David Sims is glad he’s landed in Philadelphia with the Eagles.

Jason Babin says he’s playing on Sunday against the Browns.

Running back Trent Richardson returned to practice for the Browns.

Donovan McNabb is headed to NFL Network to begin his second career as a broadcaster.

Joselio Hanson signed with the Raiders.

The Eagles’ final practice-squad spot went to Matt Reynolds, the younger brother of Dallas Reynolds, who is on the 53-man roster. Matt Reynolds (6-6, 305) started 52 games for BYU at offensive tackle.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

With a bunch of predictions coming out, I did a lengthy national media roundup Monday. Check it out here.

Meanwhile, Michael Lombardi of NFL.com predicts that the Eagles will be better than last year:

Owner Jeffrey Lurie has already said another 8-8 campaign will not be acceptable. Based on the preseason, the Eagles look to be a better team this year — if, and only if, Michael Vick stays healthy all season. Nick Foles looks good as Vick’s backup, but it would be hard for a rookie third-round draft pick to carry this team to the playoffs.

Herm Edwards of ESPN picks the Eagles to beat the Texans in the Super Bowl:

Andy Reid has already been to one Super Bowl, but I think he gets back to another this season — and finally gets his ring. I expect that the players will rally around tragedy and play inspired football in the wake of his son’s death. This team reloaded on defense through the draft with Fletcher Cox, Mychael Kendricks, Vinny Curry and Brandon Boykin, and the coaching staff had an offseason to work with the additions from last offseason, such as Nnamdi Asomugha. The defense should be much improved. If Michael Vick can make better decisions with his body — sliding, getting out of bounds and throwing the ball away instead of taking sacks — this team has the talent to be the most explosive offense in the NFL.

Kevin Kolb is disappointed that he’s not starting, but it’s not a totally unfamiliar situation for him. Per the Associated Press:

“It’s disappointing, that’s obvious,” Kolb said after practice. “But if there’s one thing I learned in this league is it’s full of surprises, so you just keep pressing forward. If you take time to sulk or feel sorry for yourself, you’re going to get left behind and then your opportunity’s going to pass you by.”

COMING UP

The Eagles are off today before resuming Week 1 preparation at the Novacare Complex on Wednesday. But we’ll have plenty of content for you throughout the day on Birds 24/7.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.