The 2011 season was the Philadelphia Eagles' 79th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 13th under head coach Andy Reid. The Eagles had high hopes of competing for a Super Bowl after key offseason acquisitions, with backup quarterback Vince Young calling the roster a "dream team" – but they failed to improve on their 10–6 record from 2010 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007. However, they did win their last four games, in an attempt to pull out a miracle playoff berth, finishing 8–8, only one game behind the divisional winners and eventual Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants. They also swept the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins for the first time since 2006 and 2009, respectively. The Eagles played all their home games at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Until 2024, this would be the last season that the Eagles swept the Dallas Cowboys.
Offseason
Personnel changes On January 15, defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was fired. Defensive line coach Rory Segrest was fired on January 16. Former Tennessee Titans' defensive line coach Jim Washburn was hired to the same position by the Eagles' on January 19. Special teams quality control coach Jeff Nixon was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their running backs coach on January 20. Defensive backs coach and senior assistant Dick Jauron was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their new defensive coordinator on January 21. On January 25, linebackers coach Bill Shuey, who served on the Eagles' coaching staff for the past ten seasons, was let go after his contract was not renewed. On February 2, Juan Castillo, who served as the team's offensive line coach since 1998, was named the new defensive coordinator. That same day, Howard Mudd was hired as the new offensive line coach. Quarterback Coach James Urban left to take a job as the Wide Receiver Coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Roster changes The Eagles made several high-profile additions in the offseason, including Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Nnamdi Asomugha, Vince Young, Ronnie Brown, Evan Mathis, Steve Smith from the rival New York Giants, and Jason Babin. With the numerous signings in addition to the previous years' players, Young later enthusiastically commented during a training camp interview, calling the 2011 Eagles a "dream team".
Free agents Position Player 2011 Team Notes and references K David Akers UFA San Francisco 49ers Given transitional tag prior to the lockout, but Akers did not sign it. The tag was rescinded after the lockout, due to new CBA rules. LB Stewart Bradley UFA Arizona Cardinals RB Eldra Buckley ERFA Detroit Lions Re-signed by the Eagles, released during final cuts. C/G Nick Cole UFA None LB Omar Gaither UFA Carolina Panthers S Antoine Harris UFA None RB Jerome Harrison UFA Detroit Lions CB Ellis Hobbs UFA N/A Retired G Max Jean-Gilles UFA None Signed with Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers, but did not play for either team. LB Akeem Jordan UFA Philadelphia Eagles DE Bobby McCray UFA None S Quintin Mikell UFA St. Louis Rams CB Dimitri Patterson UFA Cleveland Browns P Sav Rocca UFA Washington Redskins LB Ernie Sims UFA Indianapolis Colts QB Michael Vick UFA Philadelphia Eagles signed franchise tender March 2 G Reggie Wells UFA Carolina Panthers Re-signed with Eagles, but released during final cuts. Player re-signed by the Eagles
Signings Position Player 2010 Team Date signed Notes and references DE/LB Phillip Hunt UFA Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) February 11 on active roster LB Rashad Jeanty UFA None February 20 released CB Isaiah Trufant WVR New York Jets February 8 released CB Nnamdi Asomugha UFA Oakland Raiders July 28 released DE Jason Babin UFA Tennessee Titans July 30 on active roster RB Ronnie Brown UFA Miami Dolphins August 2 T Ryan Harris UFA Denver Broncos August 2 released DT Cullen Jenkins UFA Green Bay Packers July 30 on active roster TE Donald Lee UFA Green Bay Packers July 30 released G Evan Mathis UFA Cincinnati Bengals July 31 on active roster S Jarrad Page UFA New England Patriots August 2 released QB Vince Young UFA Tennessee Titans July 28 on active roster
2011 draft
Player selections
RdPickPlayerPosSchoolSignedNotes 1 23 Danny Watkins Guard Baylor – 2 54 Jaiquawn Jarrett Safety Temple – 3 90 Curtis Marsh Cornerback Utah State – 4 116 Casey Matthews Linebacker Oregon – 120 Alex Henery Kicker Nebraska – 5 149 Dion Lewis Running back Pittsburgh – 161 Julian Vandervelde Guard Iowa – 6 191 Jason Kelce Center Cincinnati – 193 Brian Rolle Linebacker Ohio State – 7 237 Greg Lloyd, Jr. Linebacker Connecticut – 240 Stanley Havili Fullback USC –
Draft notes
Preseason
Schedule The Eagles' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Baltimore Ravens W 13–6 1–0 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 14–24 1–1 Heinz Field Recap 3 Cleveland Browns W 24–14 2–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 4 at New York Jets W 24–14 3–1 MetLife Stadium Recap
Roster changes
Signings On July 29, the Eagles signed quarterback Vince Young, one day after he was released by the Tennessee Titans. That same day, the Eagles also signed former Oakland Raiders' cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to a five-year contract.
Trades On July 28, quarterback Kevin Kolb was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 second-round draft selection. On August 1, defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2013 draft selection.
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 11 at St. Louis Rams W 31–13 1–0 Edward Jones Dome Recap 2 September 18 at Atlanta Falcons L 31–35 1–1 Georgia Dome Recap 3 September 25 New York Giants L 16–29 1–2 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 4 October 2 San Francisco 49ers L 23–24 1–3 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 5 October 9 at Buffalo Bills L 24–31 1–4 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 6 October 16 at Washington Redskins W 20–13 2–4 FedExField Recap 7Bye 8 October 30 Dallas Cowboys W 34–7 3–4 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 9 Chicago Bears L 24–30 3–5 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 10 November 13 Arizona Cardinals L 17–21 3–6 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 11 November 20 at New York Giants W 17–10 4–6 MetLife Stadium Recap 12 November 27 New England Patriots L 20–38 4–7 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 13 at Seattle Seahawks L 14–31 4–8 CenturyLink Field Recap 14 December 11 at Miami Dolphins W 26–10 5–8 Sun Life Stadium Recap 15 December 18 New York Jets W 45–19 6–8 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 16 at Dallas Cowboys W 20–7 7–8 Cowboys Stadium Recap 17 January 1 Washington Redskins W 34–10 8–8 Lincoln Financial Field Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at St. Louis Rams
Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons
Week 3: vs. New York Giants
Week 4: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 5: at Buffalo Bills
Week 6: at Washington Redskins
Week 8: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears
Coming off their divisional win over the Cowboys, the Eagles stayed at home for a Week 9 Monday night duel with the Chicago Bears. Philadelphia trailed early in the first quarter as Bears quarterback Jay Cutler completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Matt Spaeth. Chicago would add onto their lead in the second quarter as kicker Robbie Gould booted a 51-yard field goal. The Eagles answered with a 47-yard field goal from rookie kicker Alex Henery. followed by rookie linebacker Brian Rolle returning a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown, but the Bears would close out the half with running back Marion Barber getting a 2-yard touchdown run.
Philadelphia took the lead the third quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run from running back Ronnie Brown, followed by a 33-yard touchdown run from running back LeSean McCoy. Chicago replied with Gould making a 38-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Bears retook the lead with Cutler completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Earl Bennett, followed by Gould getting a 22-yard field goal. The Eagles tried to rally, including an unsuccessful fake punt by Chas Henry, but Chicago's defense held on to preserve the win.
With the loss, Philadelphia fell to 3–5.
Week 10: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 11: at New York Giants
Week 12: vs. New England Patriots The Eagles lost to the New England Patriots by a score of 38–20. Despite having a 7–0 lead to start the game, they were outscored by New England 38–13 to finish the game. During the third quarter, Eagles fans were heard booing on multiple occasions and chanting "Fire Andy" at one point. With the loss, the Eagles dropped to 4–7. They also fell to 1–5 at home and, dating back to Week 16 of 2010, the Eagles have lost 8 of their last 9 home games.
Week 13: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 14: at Miami Dolphins
Week 15: vs. New York Jets
Week 16: at Dallas Cowboys With the win the Eagles improved to 7–8, and swept the season series of the Cowboys for the first time since 2006. However, they were eliminated from playoff contention thanks to the Giants' 29–14 victory over the Jets.
Week 17: vs. Washington Redskins With the win not only did the Eagles finished 8–8, but closed out the regular season winning the last 4 games (won last 3 games in 2007), while also sweeping the Redskins for the first time since 2009.
Standings
Staff Philadelphia Eagles 2011 staff Front office Chairman/CEO – Jeffrey Lurie President – Joe Banner General manager – Howie Roseman Director of player personnel – Ryan Grigson Director of pro personnel – Louis Riddick Assistant director of college scouting – Anthony Patch
Head coaches Head coach – Andy Reid Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator – Marty Mornhinweg Assistant to the head coach – Corey Matthaei
Offensive coaches Quarterbacks – Doug Pederson Running backs – Ted Williams Tight ends – Tom Melvin Offensive line – Howard Mudd Assistant offensive line – Eugene Chung Senior offensive assistant/wide receivers – David Culley Offensive quality control – Matt Nagy Statistical analysis coordinator – Mike Frazier Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Juan Castillo Defensive line – Jim Washburn Linebackers – Mike Caldwell Defensive backs – Johnnie Lynn Secondary/safeties – Mike Zordich Defensive quality control – Bobby April III
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Bobby April Special teams quality control – Duce Staley
Strength and conditioning Head athletic trainer – Rick Burkholder Head strength and conditioning – Barry Rubin Assistant strength and conditioning – Roger Marandino
Final roster
Notes and references