A year ago, Andy Reid stepped to the podium and announced that he was sticking with Donovan McNabb as the team's starting quarterback. The decision came one day after McNabb was benched in a loss to the Ravens in Baltimore.
Reid reflected on the circumstances surrounding that game.
"I didn't think any of us were doing our best job," Reid said. "I think everybody needed to pick up our game. Unfortunately, it starts with the quarterback and works its way around. With that, everybody picked up their game -- not that I had any prophecy into that, but that's what ended up happening. I knew we were leading the league in drops, and Donovan wasn't catching the ball. We weren't protecting very well and he wasn't blocking. He wasn't calling the plays and so on."
On Monday, Reid said he believes his franchise quarterback belongs in the Hall of Fame.
"I think he's done some incredible things in this league," Reid said. "When it's all said and done, he will be worthy of that."
McNabb wasn't the only veteran to earn praise from the head coach following Sunday night's win.
Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, used sparingly in recent weeks, found himself in the middle of things Sunday night, especially with the game on the line.
"I wanted Trot in there from the experience standpoint," Reid said.
With the Eagles ahead, Trotter, who has struggled in pass coverage, wrapped up Matt Forte after the running back caught a short toss from Jay Cutler. The play - a second-and-12 from Chicago's 23 - netted 7 yards. Cutler threw incomplete on third down and the Bears were forced to punt.
"Trot, he's willing to do anything," Reid said. "You see him out there on special teams, he doesn't care. He just wants to play and help any way he can. I think the players respect that. They all know he's old, but they also know that he's built quite a resumé over his years in the league."
With Akeem Jordan working his way back from a knee injury, Reid said he is comfortable using Trotter and second-year man Joe Mays.
*-- Posted by Bob Kent, 9:25 a.m., November 24
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