Both of these tasks are as enormous as they are essential - and there is another complication. After the game, Reid went out of his way to say that you couldn't just pin this mess on a key group of young players who didn't step up in a big spot. Minutes later, McNabb chose to place more of a focus on the kids.
"We showed our youth," the quarterback said. "We showed our youth in situations where everyone would begin to look around to see who was going to make the play instead of stepping up and making that play. That's something that comes with the territory when you have a young group. I think at this time, having discussed it with the guys, everybody understands it."
This is the exact opposite of what Reid spun.
"The important thing is we learn from our mistakes," the coach said. "Not only the young guys, but the coaches and the players - learn from our mistakes and do better the next time. That's the important thing. I don't think it was just the young guys. I think it was all of us. We've all got to do a better job there."
They all had a lousy day, and Reid was right there among them. First off, he and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg stopped running as soon as they got behind, after the Eagles' first series of the game. It was too quick, especially given the challenge the Cowboys' pass rushers present, and extra-especially given the reconfigured realities on the Eagles' offensive line in the absence of injured center Jamaal Jackson.
I don't usually sing this song, but a reasonable amount of balance has meant a lot to this season's team, especially lately. And, well, these numbers from the second quarter - 14 passes, three runs - don't approach the kind of balance they need.
