Reid: I’m Not Thinking About 8-8

With every Eagles loss, it’s impossible not to look ahead and think about Jeffrey Lurie’s comments about 8-8 not being good enough for Andy Reid to stay in 2013.

But the head coach insists his future isn’t weighing on his mind.

“You focus in on the job at hand,” Reid said. “You don’t get past that, so going past and thinking about records and futures and all those things, I know those are questions you guys have to ask. I understand that. But when you’re in this thing, you’re in it to practice everyday and every play to get yourself better. There’s no time to think about those things. I don’t think anybody’s worried about that. Guys are worried about getting themselves better to win football games, number one – coaches and players – and that’s what I see.”

Then again, what else is Reid supposed to say? He’s a professional, but of course he’s thought about what his future holds.

The task at hand right now appears to be working towards a miracle finish and salvaging a season that has gotten away from him. The Eagles have lost four in a row and have a -50 point differential, the worst mark in the NFC.

“Absolutely,” Reid said, when asked if he’s confident the Eagles can still turn their season around. “I like these players. I like what they represent. The coaches have to put it together and play as one.”

Is he worried about losing the locker room and players tuning him out if things continue to go badly?

“I think the way this football team’s wired, I don’t think that’ll happen,” Reid said. “They’re a close bunch and have good character so they’ll fight. They battled through last year – again it was too late – but they battled through last year and ended up winning some games. I’d expect they’d continue to battle through, and then good things will happen.”

As for injuries, the most notable one last night was to Todd Herremans, who suffered an ankle tendon strain. Herremans had an MRI, but Reid said he did not have the results yet. Demetress Bell filled in for Herremans and played poorly. If Danny Watkins returns (ankle), Dennis Kelly(who also played poorly) could get a shot at right tackle for Herremans.

Akeem Jordan has a slight groin strain. Nate Allen has a hamstring strain. And Mardy Gilyard has a hamstring strain. Jordan is the only one out of that group who played against the Saints.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
Become a fan of Birds 24/7 on Facebook.