The Audacity of Green Hope

First and foremost, let's get the formalities out of the way. Andy Reid needs to resign. Clearly, the team is far too good to be just 7-5-1.

Now, having said that... here's the really scary part of the last two weeks.

Donovan McNabb (shh!) hasn't really played all that well. What has happened instead is that Brian Westbrook has gotten healthy, and the play calling has (finally?) gotten sane. Instead of trying to force big plays to DeSean Jackson, they've gone with much easier throws in the flat. Hell, against the Giants, there was even a positive game for LJ Smith. McNabb made some nice plays on third down, especially with his feet, but it's not like they were exposing him to 25 yard crossing routes.

This is, of course, all for the best. When your most physical receiver is either Jason Avant or Hank Baskett, relying on timing routes down the middle of the field is a good way to get your INT-averse QB to lose his way. The fools' gold that is big play drives (and an erratic offense, and a bad time of possession, which really isn't helpful for a small speed defense).

Finally, one last point about the offense. Nick Cole came in for this game to replace the injured Max Jean-Gilles. I don't mean to speak ill of the departed, and it's an odd thing to think that being on your third guard of the year might be a positive. But the simple fact is that they are getting push now, and they weren't before... and it's not as if they are suffering in pass protection. Heck, maybe it's even a plus because with Cole in, they are just more interested in calling running plays. I'll take it, however we get there.

Now, as to the defense... note that Omar Geither was shown the bench for the Cardinals game for Akeem Jordan, and that Joselio Hanson and Quentin Demps were getting some serious playing time against the Giants, rather than Lito Sheppard. In both cases, the team has gone for production over a name and/or pedigree.

Now, we can wonder why this didn't happen weeks and/or months ago. We can even chastise the regime for its stultifying sense of loyalty, and point out that if either of these changes had been made, maybe they add a game or more to their win total.

Or you can look at the changes as being a real and tangible reason for better play, and keys to a sudden and shocking resurgence into a Top 5 NFL team.

Very good time to go out on top, Fat Man.