Everyone who knows me knows I'm a football fan. I love the NFL, I love the Eagles, and I love Andy Reid. I've stuck by him, through thick and through thin, for better or for worse, since 1999. Right or wrong, I've defended him religiously, supported him unconditionally, for more than a decade. And like a wife exposed publicly in the face of her husband's infidelity, I await the inquisition, knowing full well I'll continue to stand by him proudly, to say the right things, to remain loyal, unwavering, even in the face of undaunting adversity.
So, let's start by saying that no matter how difficult the admission may be, it's clear to me that Andy's day has come. Fair enough. I agree. It's time to make a change in Philly. Time to shake things up, time to get a fresh start, time to try something new. I agree we've been down the same road, over and over again. I agree - that the road we're on is NOT the road to VIC-TOR-Y, as our fight song suggests. I'm tired of the countless disappointments and the empty trophy case. I'm tired of the blown timeouts and the botched play calling. Yes - I'm tired. I admit it.
And it's not wrong to decide that it's time for a change. It's not wrong to question Jeffrey Lurie, to doubt the organization, to dismiss Andy Reid. It's not wrong to get frustrated, to get angry, to change course. But what I can't take is the way we go about it. What I can't take is the ridicule, the hatred, the fat jokes, the relentless berating and belittling of a coach who frankly - should be embraced by the "City of Brotherly Love." This is a coach who's taken us to 5 Championship Games and a Super Bowl. This is the longest tenured coach in the NFL. This is a man who - right or wrong - stands by his players and coaching staff through any kind of weather. A man who accepts responsibility, plain and simple, for everything that happens on any given Sunday.
In short, let's stop crucifying Andy Reid. Let's acknowledge that even the best coaches have shortcomings, and Andy's have been pronounced more than others because of his tenure and his tenacity. He's confident, he's stubborn, and he's resilient. Andy stays the course - his course - and he doesn't care what anyone says. If this meant rings in Philly, he'd be the Pope. Unfortunately for Andy, it's meant coming up short, year after year. It's meant criticism and interrogation, week after week, season after season. It's meant booing and jeering and "Fire Andy" chants. It's meant do or die. And this year, it probably means good-bye.
Fine. I get it. Andy needs to go. Something's gotta' give. But seriously - can we show the man a little respect? It's all I'm asking. Just a little respect. How we shy away from granting a man of this calibre a little leniency and empathy is beyond me. Andy is loyal to a fault. And yet, we question him at every turn. He fires Castillo - a long time coach and friend - and people claim Andy sold him out. Seriously? Andy gave Castillo a chance he probably didn't deserve, and quite possibly couldn't have earned, and he stuck by him - despite the criticism. Sure - Reid put him in a bad situation. Sure - Reid gave him full reign, when he wasn't up to snuff. But he believed in Castillo. He took a chance. He stood by it. He lost. Big deal.
Firing Castillo was bound to happen, but happening mid-season was ridiculous. And for the folks that claim Andy threw Juan to the wolves - take a hike. If you think anyone feels worse about letting Juan go than Andy, you're crazy. Andy loves Juan - loves all of his coaches and players like family. Andy takes personal responsibility for letting Castillo go, the same as he takes personal responsibility for backing his calls, his coaches and his players. If Andy hadn't put Juan in an awkward situation, Juan would still have a job. We know it. Juan knows it. And you can bet, Andy knows it too.Truth be told, Andy Reid has a huge heart. He's loyal to a fault, and when he takes a guy under his wing, he sticks by him. We saw it with McNabb, with Castillo, with Vick. He fields questions and comments and doesn't dodge any bullets. His famous line - "I need to do a better job of that" speaks volumes. He says, "I," not "Them," not "We." He does this on the field, and he does this at home. He's supported his players, and he's supported his children - including two sons struggling with addictions. Andy doesn't waiver.
So when I hear cruel jokes, the harsh criticism, the complete disrespect for a man who undoubtedly bears the brunt of the responsibility for these failures both on and off the field - I'm sickened. If you think Andy didn't beat himself up over losing those Championship Games, over choking in the Superbowl, over firing Castillo, or finding his oldest son dead in his dorm room - if you think he doesn't put himself on the line day after day after day, waiting for Michael Vick to show he's worthy of this organization's investment - you don't know Andy Reid. And if you see all of this heart, this character, this commitment, and you choose to look the other way - or worse - to cast stones, to spit in his face - it just goes to show that Philly fans really are all they're cracked up to be. And I think we're better than that. 
There comes a time when change is needed - when the vows to "do a better job of that" start falling on deaf ears. For Andy, that time may well have come and gone. But it's not his fault he's still here. Obviously Jeffrey Lurie believes in Andy. And until the axe falls, no one's going to convince Andy to stop trying. And no one's going to try harder than he will. His way. With his heart. So, if we say good-bye to Coach Reid come January, I can only ask that we do it with recognition of the man that he is, of the commitment he's shown us, of the blood, sweat and tears he's poured into his work and his family every day. All I ask is that we show this man some well earned respect. After all, he would do it for us.- L.
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