The world isn’t always kind, a lesson I learned Feb. 6, 2005. As just a 12-year-old, wide-eyed and innocent Eagles fan, I donned my Terrell Owens jersey and sat with anticipation of what a Super Bowl title would feel like. The world was bright to me before that day, but not when the game ended.

Is that an exaggeration?

The Eagles would lose 24-21 to the Patriots. That stung, but how the loss happened was just as painful.

With about nine minutes remaining, the Patriots took a 24-14 lead. Donovan McNabb then threw an interception and, after forcing a punt, had 5 minutes, 40 seconds left.

With less than six minutes remaining and down by 10, one would think the brilliance of Andy Reid would call a no-huddle offense, right?

Think again… 

The Eagles took off almost four minutes on a scoring drive, a touchdown pass from McNabb to Greg Lewis. The Eagles just dinked and dunked down the field for most of that drive. Where was the hurry-up? Where was the urgency? 

Ask Mr. Time’s Yours.

Ask Mr. Failed Clock Management 

Ask Mr. Reid.

Reid has a long and painful history of mishandling the clock, and there were even more instances in that game. At the end of the first half, the Eagles had a chance to score.

The Birds took over at their own 19-yard-line with 1:03 left. They had all three of their timeouts. On first down, Brian Westbrook had a loss and the clock kept ticking. 

The next two plays were passes, but the clock kept going until Reid fired finally called a timeout with 10 seconds left.

The Eagles ended the drive at Patriots’ 37 after a long run by Westbrook. With no time left (and if Reid called timeouts earlier, maybe the Eagles could have led 10-7 at the half), the Eagles went to the locker room with two, unused timeouts.

Even Joe Buck (who I dislike, by the way) addressed it during the broadcast, saying “How many Philadelphia fans are screaming at the TV, saying ‘Hurry up?’”

Classic Andy Reid.

And we all know it.

So do Chiefs fans.

Kansas City was eliminated by the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round in January 2016. The Chiefs trailed 27-13 with 6:29 left in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs scored, but only after a five-minute drive. 

Again— where was the urgency? Reid’s horrible clock mismanagement (again) destroyed any chance at a comeback for the Chiefs. Reid is not always bad with the clock, but the mismanagement of the game clock always comes at inopportune times.

Listen, Reid gave Eagles’ fans a lot of great memories. His teams were very good, and there is no doubting that. You cannot hate the guy. You can be annoyed, absolutely! But when all is said and done, he never pushed the Eagles over the hump.

A backup quarterback and a second-year head coach did, though. 

Nothing would bring me greater joy than to absolutely destroy Reid. I respect him and normally still root for him, and I love Patrick Mahomes. But not Feb. 12 in Arizona.  I hope the Eagles make Reid feel the same way I felt when I was 12.  

And the Eagles just scored 31 points on the best defense in the NFL. The Chiefs’ D is not nearly as good as the Niners. If the Eagles can hold a banged-up Mahomes to under 25 points, the Birds should win.

So… to our dearest Andy Reid… Time’s Yours,

With Love,  Philly.