Andy Reid looked in the mirror and didnt like what he saw.
He saw a coach whose team went 8-8 last year and didnt make the playoffs. He saw a coach who hasnt won a playoff game since 2008 and has won just three in the last seven years. He saw a coach whos 0 for 13 trying to win a Super Bowl. He saw a coach whose owner admitted he considered firing him.
So for the past month, Reid has evaluated every facet of his football teamthe players, the coaches, the schemes, yes. Most of all, himself.
He asked himself a question thats been asked constantly since the season ended: Is he the best guy to try and lead the Eagles to their first championship in more than half a century?
The primary thing was I could do my job to the best of my ability, was I doing my job to the best of my ability? Reid said. And what can I improve on? Why did we end up being 8-8, and why did we start off 1-4? Why did that take place? What can I do different during the new rules of training camp? (I examined) all those things. ...
I wanted to make sure I stepped back and looked at it. I wanted to make sure I can still do the things that are the responsibility of the head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles to win a championship, the Super Bowl. So, thats what you do. You step back and you analyze those things.
The conclusion? Reid is still head coach of the Eagles.
NFL
But he did acknowledge Tuesday in his long-awaited year-end meeting with the media that owner Jeff Lurie was correct when he described the 2011 season as completely unacceptable and he also acknowledged that another disappointing season could cost him his job.
I understand this is a business, Reid said. I completely understand that. I always appreciate the support Jeffrey has given me, along with (team president) Joe Banner. Theyve given me every opportunity to win football games and been a positive influence. I appreciate that.
I do know, though, that 8-8 is not good enough. What (Lurie) said, I agree with. Theres no different feeling on this end. As coaches and players, were sitting here watching, and we dont like to watch. Its that simple. Even though we finished strong and hot and that stuff, that wasnt good enough. Every season in the National Football League is different, but it wasnt good enough for the coaches and players we have here.
Reid singled out several areas that fell short in 2011. Turnovers are the main onethe Eagles ranked 30th in the NFL last year with 38 turnovers, many of them at crucial times in games.
But he also listed the 1-4 start, the return game, third-down defense, the five blown fourth-quarter leads and red-zone offense as areas that must improve.
You take the first five games and you better analyze those babies right there, Reid told reporters who gathered at the NovaCare Complex auditorium.
That was not a good picture. What happened there? You try to be real. You start with yourself, your presentation, your training camp presentation to the players. Were you trying to do too much offensively, defensivelyyou go through and analyze it and try to come up with an answer.
When Lurie met with the media, he indicated that he considered firing Reid after a 2011 season that began with astronomical expectations and ended with the Eagles needing four straight wins at the end of the season just to salvage a .500 record.
Four weeks earlier to the day, Lurie essentially said 2012 will be a make-or-break season for Reid, whose teams have reached the playoffs in nine of the last 12 years but advanced to just one Super Bowl, losing to the Patriots seven years ago.
Im going to tell you Im not a very patient person when it comes to winning, Reid said. Thats why were in this business. We want to win every game. Theres no more pressure than there has been. Thats why we do this. We do it to bring a championship to the city of Philadelphia, to get the ring. Thats why players play and coaches coach.
So I understand where hes coming from. Im right with him on that. He didnt say anything in there that ruffled my feathers and everything else I completely agree with. I know thats how the fans feel. I understand that. I completely understand that. Theres a frustration. I understand that. And so my point is, were going to bust our tails to get it right. Thats where Im at. ...
I think every season you come out, as a coach and as a player, its a make-or-break season. Thats how you look at it. And if you dont, youre wrong. Youre taking the wrong approach. And that better drive your tail through the off-season, where you bust it every minute that you have an opportunity to bust it.
Reid, for the first time since Lurie introduced Reid as Ray Rhodes successor at the downtown Marriott on Jan. 11, 1999, on Tuesday spoke about the prospect of getting fired.
Luries Coach for Fire said he understands the expectations and understands that if theyre not met, hes gone.
I think in this business you understand that its a business, Reid said. As close as Jeffrey and I are, as close as Joe and I are, I understand that the bottom line is to win football games. Thats why I m here, to win games and ... win a Super bowl. Im real about that. Im not afraid to stand up and look that in the face. I understood his disappointment. He understood my disappointment.
I think he sees that going forward we have an opportunity to do some good things. And so Im speaking for him here, but thats why I think Im sitting here at this time.
Am I happy about the 8-8? No, Im not happy about it. But Im not going to sit here and cry about it either. Im going to attack that issue and get better.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com