Andy to Suitors: Kolb Can Win Championships
Andy Reid sat with reporters at the coaches' breakfast today during the NFL meetings in New Orleans. He talked, among other things, about Kevin Kolb, Marty Mornhinweg, the offensive line, and his own future.
Andy to Suitors: Kolb Can Win Championships
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS -- When then-Seattle coach Mike Holmgren was thinking of acquiring quarterback Matt Hasselbeck from Green Bay in 2001, he asked an old friend, Eagles coach Andy Reid, for advice. Reid had spent a year with Hasselbeck, as the Packers' quarterbacks coach, when Holmgren was the Green Bay head coasch.
"I said, 'Matt Hasselbeck will come in and help you win a championship,' " Reid recalled today at the coaches' breakfast at the NFL meetings. "That's how I feel about Kevin Kolb."
Reid said he told Holmgren: "Whatever you have to pay for him, pay for him, go get him, and he'll help you win a championship." Reid added: "That's how I feel about this guy. That's why I've got him. I didn't bring him in to be a backup, I brought him in to be a starter, and crazy things happened, with this Michael Vick thing, that nobody thought would happen ... That kid is a championship-caliber quarterback."
Of course, the Seahawks didn't win a championship under Holmgren, but Hasselbeck did lead them to the Super Bowl and a close loss to the Steelers. He also has been to three Pro Bowls.
Kolb was the main topic of conversation during Reid's hourlong session with reporters. He reiterated that there is a lot of interest from other teams, though Reid wouldn't discuss specifics. Reid said he would "keep my ears open" if the NFL lockout lingers through the draft and the Eagles are unable to trade Kolb then, and said he wouldn't rule out trading for 2012 draft considerations, though he said "something else" would have to be involved, presumably something that would help the team in 2011.
"We've had a number of people be very aggressive" in Kolb talks, Reid said.
Other topics adressed included the following:
*Reid was asked again about team president Joe Banner's words last month, in which Banner indicated Reid needs to win a Super Bowl to get another contract after the one that expires following the 2013 season. Reid told the Daily News last month that he trusts Banner, and doesn't see the ultimatum as an issue. Today, he said: "I understand how the game works ... I trust Joe. People have always tried to work that angle there, and there's nobody in that building that talks more than Joe and I. There's nobody that has a better relationship than Joe and I. We've heard every story, had people plot me against him and him against me, that's not the way it is ... I feel every year that (winning the Super Bowl) is what I'm shooting for ... I don't have to worry about all that other stuff (speculation), I worry about getting that part done."
*Reid said he was surprised offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg didn't get any head coaching interest this offseasson. He said quarterbacks coach James Urban, who ultimately went to Cincinnati to coach receivers, would have either succeeded Mornhinweg with the Eagles or become Mornhinweg's OC wherever Mornhinweg went.
*Reid indicated he does not expect 2010 first-round defensive end Brandon Graham to be ready to play after ACL surgery by the start of the 2011 season. He said second-round safety Nate Allen and veteran center Jamaal Jackson should be fine.
*Reid said right tackle Winston Justice did a good job playing injured last season (Justice recently underwent a knee cleanout), but Reid said he was pleasantly surprised by sub King Dunlap, and indicated Dunlap will compete for Justice's spot and possibly the right guard spot as well. Reid also mentioned Mike McGlynn as right guard, assuming Jackson stays healthy at center.
*Reid wouldn't speculate on whether wideout DeSean Jackson would get a new contract, if teams were allowed to do contracts now.
*Reid said that while he listens to all offers, trading Michael Vick and keeping Kolb "is not where I'm at right now."
Andy Reid has completely out-coached the other NFC East teams. Congrats to Coughlin on his SB win, but he's still not nearly the coach that Andy Reid is.— p-diddy- Two NFC East coaches have won a SB. One other NFC East coach is new. Reid has neither won, nor is he new. He's completely out-coached himself. And very soon, he'll coach himself "out" of Philly.
- Andy is a loser— shawnmac
- There it is, the smartest football coach on earth jumping out of the airplane with what he thinks is the MV parachute. It will be one big thump when he hits the ground.— Kioto
Comment removed.- Andy is moving his lips, so that's how we know he's lying.— everydayguy
- Play Kolb and cut Vick.
Vick has never won and last year proved that Defenses have already caught up with him. Vick only beat 1 playoff team last year - the Colts - and it was their worst season in years.— JB215 - I thought this column was about trading Kolb..... Oh, well. It's all a moot point anyway as the bull-headed owners and the bull-headed players won't come to an agreement in time to make any trades anyway. And to all you Andy bashers, you must be too young to remember the good old days with Ray Rhodes, Marion Campbell, etc. He may not have won the big one yet, but he's taken us closer than anyone since Vermeil. Cowher didn't win until after his 12th season as head coach. Be careful what you wish for.— dlscholt
- notice 2 posters who normally comment the same way on kk are missing? why? because they are same person..wolf (the sane one)— wolf 4
- He is so dam good, that I am willing to trade him...Right Andy...We have heard you for 12 years and you have never spoken the truth to the media or the fans......but that is good salesmenship to boost his value and get rid of him.....hopefully for a stud 0-lineman or a stud linebacker— nuggett
- LMAO— RoastedBird
- Kioto...pleeease...we don't need a tsunami here!— VermontPhilsFan
- I agree with Andy. With the right roster (and Mike Vick will not win a Super Bowl this year with this roster), and Kolb at QB, the Eagles can win the Super Bowl. Which is why you trade Vick and keep the younger guy with fewer miles on his tires. And Vick will bring twice the trade value.
If the Eagles fail to take this advice, Vick will likely be on IR in December, and will have little trade value next spring. They are not committed to a style of play that will keep him healthy. Mike Vick gave us an exciting year, and now he can bring two first rounders that will help build a championship team.
As far as the offensive line goes, if King Dunlap starts at guard, this will not be a championship team. He has improved so that he is one of the least capable backups in the league, which is better than I could say last September, but they have to aim a touch higher. McGlynn could be a starting guard, and for that matter might compete for right tackle as well. But on a Super Bowl line, McGlynn is one of your tough, versatile backups, behind the likes of Gabe Carimi, Danny Watkins, Jackson, Herremans and Peters.— armchairGM - And for Christmas I hope all you Andy Reid haters get a new coach... and suffer for the next 12 years with losers. He's the best coach the birds have ever had. I am convinced that:
1. The people who slam Kolb are from out of town and don't want the eagles to get a good pick or two for him.
2. The people who slam Reid aren't old enough to remember the lean years...and there were quite a few of them. Ask your dad who Rich Kotite was. Or for that matter, Ed Khayat, Marion Campbell, Hugh Devore, Nick Skorich, Joe Kuharich, Jerry Williams, Mike McCormack or Ray Rhodes. Please stop writing your BS!!!
3. The people who slam Lurie and Banner don't remember Old Norman and dead Leonard..Bramen still had the first dollar he ever made and Tose would have his...if he didn't give it to Atlantic City.
4. The people who slam our trading ability and signing philosophy still want Dawkins starting at cornerback for us.
5. The people who slam the DN and Inq writes never took a writing class in their lives...if the have a life.
Go Birds!!!— ceocreates - No, I want Dawk on the sideline coaching this pathetic, no heart Defense. Banner trying to jerk him of* like a Free Agent rookie in a bad poker game sealed our fate. No JJ and No Dawk means no D or leadership in the zone.
— Earl J
