In the Eagles' case, for now at least, injuries do not excuse the so far disappointing 2009 season. The best place to begin this discussion is where most football matters begin: on the offensive line.
The Eagles have been juggling linemen all season. Shawn Andrews never played a down at right tackle. Jason Peters has missed time at left tackle. Todd Herremans was hurt early and has played both at left guard and left tackle. Max Jean-Gilles and Stacy Andrews have rotated at right guard - at least partly, we are led to believe, because Andrews is not all the way back from his reconstructive knee surgery.
"I want continuity among the offensive line," Eagles coach Andy Reid said yesterday. "I'm fortunate enough to guys who have played here and have experience in this league, but on the other hand, I'd like them to play together a little bit more than what's gone on. I don't expect that to be an excuse, by any measure."
And it isn't an excuse, because the root problem is the decision-making that led the Eagles to this point. Faced with moving on from bookend tackles Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan, Reid and his advisers put all their chips on the Andrews brothers and their friend, Peters. It goes without saying that this has proven to be a bad and expensive strategy.
Shawn Andrews is out with the same injury he had last year. Stacy Andrews is struggling with an injury everyone knew he had. And Peters has shown exactly how invaluable the reliable Thomas and Runyan really were.
