Reid, Birds back in familiar place

January 16, 2009|by Chuck Bausman

EAGLES FANS are way too impatient to put things in perspective year by year. The tendency is to make series-by-series snap judgments ... and sometimes there is overreaction to every play.

In such a short-sighted view, it was a little surprising when this big picture emerged: This will be Andy Reid's fifth NFC Championship Game in 8 years. It's a remarkable record for any coach, especially this one, a candidate for the highway just 2 months ago in some critics' minds.

Here is a look at Reid's four other trips to the NFL title game:

Jan. 27, 2002
Eagles at St. Louis Rams
Rams 29, Eagles 24

The setup: The Rams were the Greatest Show on Turf and the Eagles were happy to be there after beating Tampa Bay and Chicago.

The reality: The Eagles were much better than advertised and had a chance for a huge upset. Correll Buckhalter, their featured back, sprained an ankle in the second quarter. Troy Vincent had an injured groin coming in and was burned by Kurt Warner. Marshall Faulk ran wild for the Rams.

What we wrote (Daily News sports columnist John Smallwood): You think about their valiant effort ... and feel this is more like a beginning than an ending.

You see the consistent growth of third-year coach Andy Reid, the emerging brilliance of quarterback Donovan McNabb, the fearsome defense that ranks among the NFL's best.

Jan. 19, 2003
Tampa Bay at Eagles
Bucs 27, Eagles 10

The setup: It was the final game at the Vet and the Eagles were ready to win after coming so close last year.

The reality: Duce Staley scored on a 20-yard run two plays after Brian Mitchell returned the opening kickoff 70 yards. But, Bucs receiver Joe Jurevicius caught a short pass over the middle and went 71 yards to set up the go-ahead touchdown. Ronde Barber's 92-yard interception for a TD finished off the Eagles.

What we said (Daily News columnist Bill Conlin): The Eagles were supposed to mail this one in against a Tampa Bay Bucs team perceived by many as their concubine, a sniveling bunch of offensively punchless, warm-weather wimps who turned into abominable throw-men in gelid Veterans Stadium. Well, this mortal lock of a mail-in job was returned to sender, addressee unknown.