Reid’s Play-Calling Is Criticized

Andy Reid had five months to prepare a game plan for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The way the Philadelphia Eagles played, it seemed more like five hours.

Reid, who calls the plays instead of offensive coordinator Brad Childress, came under heavy scrutiny Tuesday, a day after a 17-0 loss to the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers in the season opener.

“I need to do a better job of preparing this football team,” the fifth-year coach said. “It starts with me.”

Reid’s most questionable call was a fake field goal on fourth and goal from Tampa Bay’s one-yard line less than five minutes into the game. Holder Koy Detmer’s pass to rookie tight end L.J. Smith was dropped, and it seemed the Eagles never regained momentum in the first regular-season game at Lincoln Financial Field.

After a pass interference penalty on John Lynch put the ball at the Tampa Bay one, Reid called a pass on first down, a run up the middle by Duce Staley on second down, and another pass on third down. None of the plays gained an inch.

Reid’s decision to abandon the running game also raised some questions. Teams that have been successful against the Buccaneers in recent seasons ran the ball.

With Pro Bowl middle linebacker Shelton Quarles out because of an arm injury, it seemed the Eagles would try to take advantage by running the ball. But the Eagles rushed only 16 times.

*

Coach Jon Gruden wants the Buccaneers to remember how they became Super Bowl champions.

But Gruden doesn’t want the Buccaneers to get ahead of themselves.

“We have one win,” Gruden said. “It’s going to take a lot more victories to even qualify for the playoffs, and we respect that. We’re going to remain humble and work hard on the practice field to continue to improve our play.

“There were too many media reports, too many preseason guides. I turn on the TV and there were 19 guys sitting in the studio who have all the answers to everybody’s problems, and I say hogwash. We’re 1-0. We have a team coming in here [Sunday] that is 1-0, and if we’re not ready to play, I promise you Carolina will knock your block off.”

*

Tight end Billy Miller has reached a verbal agreement with the Houston Texans on a four-year contract, agent Carl Poston told a Houston television station.

Poston wouldn’t disclose the value of the contract, KRIV said. Attempts by Associated Press to reach Poston by telephone were unsuccessful.

The station quoted league sources as saying the contract was worth $4 million, with a $1-million signing bonus.

Miller, who played at USC, led the Texans in receptions last year, and caught three passes for 20 yards in the team’s season-opening win over Miami.

Houston General Manager Charley Casserly declined to comment and Miller was not immediately available.

*

Two weeks after being shot in the right thigh, Pittsburgh Steeler linebacker Joey Porter might play Sunday.

Coach Bill Cowher said he has listed Porter as doubtful for the game at Kansas City, which means Porter has a 25% chance of playing.

Porter was on the sidelines for Pittsburgh’s 34-15 victory over Baltimore on Sunday.

Porter and Raven linebacker Ray Lewis engaged in a pre-game argument, and then Porter was pointed out to the TV audience for running ahead of teammate Kendrell Bell along the Steeler bench area during Bell’s 42-yard interception return in the first quarter.

After the game, Porter took his pre-game problem with Lewis to the media and criticized Lewis’ performance.

“He had one tackle today, maybe two,” Porter said, “and he was jumping around like he had 30.”

Porter was among six people shot while leaving a Denver night club several hours after the Colorado State-Colorado game Aug. 30. One person was killed.

Police believe Porter was an innocent bystander.

*

Minnesota signed fullback Charles Stackhouse, a starter for the New York Giants as a rookie last season.

Stackhouse drew the ire of Giants’ Coach Jim Fassel during a practice in August for throwing an errant punch at a teammate.