Andy on Bountygate, DJax, Manning & More
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Andy on Bountygate, DJax, Manning & More
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Your Eagletarian got a chance to sit down with Andy Reid today in the Eagles' coach's lair on the second floor of the NovaCare complex.
Andy was relaxed and amicable. "Forthcoming" and "insightful" might be pushing it, but, hey, he seemed to be trying.
The coach's take on some pertinent matters:
*"We're obviously happy with Michael (Vick)," Reid said when asked about Peyton Manning, whose parting from Indianapolis was playing out as we spoke. Reid also said "you could ask that question of probably everybody in the National Football League except the Giants, right? ... That's not something we're -- we're happy with Michael."
*Asked about the New Orleans Bountygate scandal, Reid was reluctant to say a lot because he said he doesn't know all the details. "But I think I am surprised," he said. "I haven't read all the documents, but by definition of the word 'bounty,' you don't do that with other (teams') players. That's not where you go. That's not how you do business ... Players want to hit you and hit you hard, but they don't want to come in and, like, ruin your career ... That's just not how guys are wired."
*Andy has spoken to DeSean Jackson since the franchising of the wideout last week. "I think he'll sign the tender," Reid said. "He was very positive about it." Reid reiterated what he said last month, that the attitude change down the stretch convinced him he could go forward with Jackson, after a rough middle of the season. "That was important," Andy said. I don't have a good quote that conveys it, but I got the sense Reid absolutely expects to have Jackson here.
*Reid "hasn't gone there" as far as picturing Plaxico Burress in Eagles green this coming season, despite Plax's campaign to play here. (Technically, Plax is still a Jet, so talking for the record about him would be tampering.) Reid acknowledged speaking with Burress last summer, before he signed with the Jets. He said Burress was much closer to playing shape when he got out of prison than Michael Vick was in 2009 -- the inference I took was that Reid was surprised Burress was able to be effective in 2011. That could mean the Eagles have more interest now than they showed last summer. Or I could be looking too deep there.
*Reid sees Mike Kafka as his No. 2 QB in 2012, with Trent Edwards maybe No. 3, depending on how he does and what else develops, via the draft, for instance.
*We talked a while about the new CBA's rules that lessen the contact between coaches and players in the offseason. It was a pretty boring topic, so I'm not going to rehash it here, except to say that Reid said "I think we'll be OK,' and "I think we'll end up having plenty of time," despite on-field spring workout days being reduced from 14 to 10.
*Reid wouldn't acknowledge that the wide 9 changes the linebacking equation. Stuck with his explanation about young guys needing time to adjust last season. Kept a straight face while doing so.
*Yeah, I asked about Luke Kuechly. Reid wouldn't go there. (But, psst! The Eagles like Luke Kuechly! They also aren't at all sure he'll be there when they pick 15th overall.)
*On meeting with RG III at the combine, Reid said he tries to meet with all the quarterbacks. "I was impressed with him. He did a nice job in our interview. Good kid, smart," said Reid, who also didn't seem to envision the Eagles moving up to No. 2 overall to draft the Baylor star.
*Overall on the draft, natural evasiveness aside, Reid said he thinks it's too soon, when you're picking 15th overall, to have a feel for who might be there and even exactly what your priorities will be, since free agency hasn't even begun yet.
Cough, time's yours.— rickm- I think it's funny that the Philly sports media constantly take little pot-shots at Reid, and then are surprised that he's not as forthcoming as they'd like.— FKD215
- Amazing isn't it? I couldn't agree with you more. — charmaine
- I think it's funny that the Philly sports media constantly take little pot-shots at Reid, and then are surprised that he's not as forthcoming as they'd like.— FKD215
- Yeah, "forthcoming" Right.....he has not uttered a word of truth in the last 5 years.....jsut the usual smoke.....and my guess he was ordered to talk nice by Jeffery....— nuggett
- Andy Reid coaches a version of the West Coast offense. Peyton Manning comes from a different system. The learning curve for coach and player would probably be too great for such a marriage to have INSTANT success.— soulman386
- not to mention that Manning has a better offensive mind than both Reid and Marty. that would drive Reid nuts. — coloradoeagle
- Where have you been the last few years? The west coast offense left with McNabb.
— ej610 - I'm amazed that AR can stand to be in the same room with any Philly sports reporter or columnist. When he opens the door to the press conference, he must have the same feeling as Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" - "Snakes... Why'd it have to be snakes?"— Section 730
- IF there is any way in the world it is possible to get rid of Vicks contract and sign Manning ...please for the love of god do it!!!! He has Howard Mudd his old O-Line coach here. Our line got much better as the season went on ...and having a QB that is smart, can read a blitz, and gets rid of the ball quickly our Oline would look and be much improved for just those reasons alone. Sign up Shady and we're ready to roll— RealizticFan
- There might not be a way to restructure Vick's contract however there a to satify you and your desire for Peyton Manning..............root for whateve teams he goes to, fans like you and some of the others that write on the blogs do nothing but complain aren't wanted or needed. You folks will complain regardless of the situation. Fact is you don't even deserve to win. — charmaine
- Lets not forget the term NOODLE ARM was tossed around by observers who watched him practice. If he was 100% the Colts would not be walking away from this certain Hall of Famer who had a great season before the injury.
- Exactly, but these hateful people will never understand that, all they can see is an opportunity to have a white qb, which is exactly why they wanted Kolb. — charmaine
- In case you haven't noticed, the Eagles haven't had a legitimate white QB in 25 years and they have never been more popular.
The waiting list for season tickets is well over 60,000.
All we want is a Super Bowl level QB and the dog murderer is not good enough. For all the McNabb bashers, Vick hasn't come close to playing at 5's level. The only year he's come close to that levelwas ended by McNabb.
I was never a big fan of Manning and all that pre-snap BS but he has a ring and we don't. I'll take his "noodle arm over Vick anyday.
This situation has nothing to do with race. It has to do with a SB parade.— jdlam 
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