Revival or Collapse?

One of the things (among many) that is driving me crazy about all the articles now being written about whether Reid keeps his job or not is this (and this is a question the reporters should be asking themselves before they write the story as well as Lurie should ask himself): What is the purpose of firing Reid? Is it to "punish" him for a poor season that was the result of some of his pre-season moves? Or is it that there is a belief that another coach can make the team more of a success in 2012? And if it is the second, then the follow up question is who is that coach?

My own take is that we're the 2008 Saints (or the 2009-11 Packers - lost a playoff game one year (to those same 2008 Saints), then snuck in to the playoffs as a wildcard (what the Eagles almost did this year - sneaking in), and then dominating the league the following season).

There's too much talent on this team to "blow it up" and "rebuild," though as my brother has long noted there is no such thing as "rebuilding" in the 21st century NFL.

We lost a lot of close games, some on flukey plays (Ronnie Brown's goal line "pass" vs. the Niners, missed FGs, and others on turnovers).

On offense, you've got a franchise-caliber QB, an all-pro RB, a couple of skill position playmakers and a solid O-line.

The D improved steadily throughout the season as much as the Juan Castillo haters hate to admit it. And he did it with a bunch of lousy LBs, terrible safety play, and an at times non-existent DRC (and Nnamdi for that matter). Let's face it, Samuels was the best corner on the team this year, and they're probably unloading him this offseason. I've come around enough to believe Castillo deserves another year as coordinator. Related to the questions above re: Reid, who are they bringing in to replace him? I don't believe the Spags rumors.

I guess the larger answer to your question is that this team is on the verge of a revival. Now where they are next year depends entirely on Vick and whether Reid gets an heir apparent to groom between now and then.