Andy Reid talks McNabb, Westbrook, Dawkins
DANA POINT, Calif. -- Eagles coach Andy Reid talked to reporters this morning at the NFL owners meetings.
Andy Reid talks McNabb, Westbrook, Dawkins
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
DANA POINT, Calif. -- Eagles coach Andy Reid talked to reporters this morning at the NFL owners meetings.
Here is Part 1 of the transcript from the interview:
(on his team) This is one thing I know. I can sit there – and I’d have to move some people here and there – but I can sit there and put together what I think is a championship-calibre football team. Now, do we need depth at certain spots? Absolutely. But I think we’re one of the few teams where, if you said line up and play today, we could do that and be very, very competitive.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
(is your left tackle on your roster right now?) I think I have a couple of guys who could play left tackle and be very good at it. Shawn (Andrews) and Todd (Herremans).
(which one would be your left tackle?) I don’t know that yet. I’m just kind of juggling that around and seeing how everything lays out between the rest of free agency and the draft. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens. But if I had to line up, I could put either one of them there (at LT). I could put either one at guard. Stacy Andrews can play tackle or guard. And Jon Runyan’s on the mend. So I don’t what’s going to happen with that situation.
(still possible Runyan will be re-signed?) We’ll just see how it goes. I’m not saying yay or nay.
(moving Andrews and/or Herremans outside from guard) Shawn Andrews and Todd Herremans came here as tackles. Against their will, I moved them into guard. They want to be tackles. They bug me all the time about playing tackle. They would have no problem moving out to tackle if that’s what happens.
(Herremans’ play in ’08) I thought Todd should’ve been in the Pro Bowl last year. I think that’s the kind of football he played.
(state of your o-line right now) I know I’ve got enough guys (at o-line) to line up there and have a very successful offensive line. That’s comforting.
(is getting a left tackle in the draft important?) I think I’ve got those guys here. Am I always looking for good offensive linemen? Yeah. But do I think I can go and play with what I’ve got and be very successful? Yeah. You’ve got to remember something. Even though he was a right tackle (at Arkansas), Shawn Andrews probably was the finest offensive tackle I’d ever seen come out of college football. I would have no problem putting Shawn or Todd (at left tackle). But because they don’t have that (left tackle) label, because I put them at guard, that doesn’t mean that’s all they can do
(on the play of center Jamaal Jackson) I thought Jamaal did a pretty good job in the pass game. I think he can keep working on some stuff in the run game.
(do you want to find competition for him at center?) Nick Cole is pretty good competition. He came in (at right guard) and showed what he can do. That will make us take a good look at Nick (as a starting center candidate), I’m sure.
WESTBROOK and RUNNING BACKS
(how important is it to find a back in the draft to complement Westbrook?) We’re keeping our eyes open for that. I like to have 2 or 3 running backs. So I will keep my eyes open for that spot.
(can Westbrook still be a carry-the-load back?) I think you need to supplement somebody else in there. But he can be your primary ballcarrier.
DONOVAN McNABB
(on Donovan McNabb) We sure like Donovan, obviously. We understand that from a player’s standpoint, he’s the face of the Philadelphia Eagles. We want to keep him at that position.
(on how much he’s talked with McNabb since the end of the season) We talk all the time.
(any concern that he might not show up at minicamps if he doesn’t get a contract extension) That (not showing up) isn’t going to happen.
(How concerned would he be if McNabb didn’t show up for minicamp?) Obviously, the quarterback position is very important. I’m always looking at the positive. The positive is, that (when a veteran doesn’t show) the young guys get to work with the ones. The negative is that you sure want your starting quarterback there.
(if he didn’t show up at minicamp, eagles fans would act like a nuclear bomb hit the city) I don’t really care about that (fan reaction). Supposedly, we’ve already had a few nuclear bombs hit there. I just kind of move on and whoever that next guy is hops in. That’s not saying I don’t love having the best players there.
(are you confident he’ll be at minicamp) Yes.
(on dawkins) He’s a great person. Philadelphia saw Brian come in and grow up as a man. They were able to see his kids grow up. Brian left a legacy there that should put him in Canton.
(the reaction by fans to his departure) I understood that completely.
(your decision to bench McNabb last November) Things get blown up in Philadelphia. I understand that. So I put that equation out of my mind and can’t worry about that part of it (fan and media reaction). I’ve got to do what’s best for the football team. And honestly, in that situation, what I thought was best for Donovan. You never know how things are going to go. I could sit here and tell you, `Ah, I knew everything would work out like it did.’ But you never know what’s gonna happen in this game when you do things like that. But I felt like it had to happen. Donovan is the type of person that carries the world on his back. As a result of that, at times, people around him expect him to carry the world on his back. And they’re not doing their jobs to their fullest. It’s too much. Too much for one person to do. That’s the point where this got to. It wasn’t from Donovan not trying or doing anything wrong. No human can do what he was trying to do. We were leading the league in drops. We weren’t playing great defense during that stretch. The offensive line was struggling. Everybody was having their thing. And to be honest with you, I wasn’t coaching very good. Everybody needed to pick their game up. And that’s kind of what happened after that.
I knew Donovan could handle the (benching) situation. That’s why he’s here. That’s why I drafted him way back when. I knew he could handle these kinds of situations. And two, I know guys like him on the team and they won’t ever let him sit on that bench very long. They will pick their game up and do what they’re supposed to do and we’ll become a football team again.
(Donovan’s refusal to acknowledge he benefited from the benching) I completely understand. This wasn’t Donovan coming over to me and saying he wanted to sit on the bench. That wasn’t what it was. No player wants that. Especially a player that competitive in a game that close. That’s not what he wants. But if that’s what we needed as a football team, I don’t mind being the bad guy. That’s my responsibility to get the football team right.
(what would have happened if Kevin Kolb had lit it up in second half?) Donovan McNabb was going to be my quarterback the next week. Because I’ve been around the guy too long. Donovan was going to be the quarterback.
(on Kolb’s frustration at looking at spending a third straight season on the bench as McNabb’s backup) He’s been a starter his whole life. He’s just learning how the whole backup thing works. But that was a great learning experience coming into that (Baltimore) game. That (performance) wasn’t Kevin Kolb. If you go back and look at the preseason game when he had a chance to play against New England’s 1s after they’d just been chewed out by Bill Belichick and how well he played there, and look at the other opportunities he’s had to come in. Kevin’s going to be a good football player. It’s just that Donovan’s a good football player too, right now.
BRIAN DAWKINS
(could you and the team have handled the Dawkins’ situation better?) There are certain ways you can do it. You can just release a player and do kind of like they did with Marvin Harrison in Indianapolis. Or you can actually try to get something done. Then if you lose him, then, you know what, you end up not being the good guy. But at the same time, in your heart, you know you tried to do something. Then you wish him the best of luck.
Brian, to me, will always be a Philadelphia Eagle. Brian should be able to walk into our office at any time, even if we’re playing them, and shake everybody’s hand and keep his high and know that he’s left a special legacy in Philadelphia.
(difficulty in letting a player like Dawkins leave) This is the hardest part of the job from my standpoint. It’s not an easy thing to do, not an easy thing to talk about. But that’s part of this business. It’s been part of this business forever. Since professional sports has been in business.
There’s a good part about being a head coach for 10 years and there’s a bad part. The bad part is you’re starting to get on the edge of your players’ careers. Then you have to make some tough, tough decisions. And that’s not fun. There’s nothing fun about it.
(your contact with Dawkins prior to him signing with Denver) I had talked to him a few times during the process.
(why couldn’t you have said all you’ve said about Dawkins today when he signed with the Broncos?) It might’ve reduced the amount of criticism about the Eagles being a cold-hearted organization) A week later, Joe (Banner) talked about it. I just let it go there. That was enough. Listen, Brian deserves his due. There was no easy way to do this if you were going to continue to try to negotiate and bring him back. I thought Denver did a heck of a job. They gave him a tremendous contract. And more power to them. But there wasn’t going to be an easy way of doing it. And then, I think it’s very hard for me to bring in, who at that time was the top offensive line free agent (Stacy Andrews) and try to make it his day and then talk about Brian Dawkins. I will never do it. That’s just not what I do.
(you could’ve taken questions on Dawkins after the Andrews’ press conference) I guess I could’ve done a lot of things. But that was (Andrews’) day and you let it go at that.
For Part 2 of the Reid interview, click here.
Comment removed.
I thought there was some actuall more in depth answer than he usually gives. Like saying Jackson could get better in the running game. Or saying he'd like 2 or 3 backs, sounds like Booker may be out of the door. He admitted West needs a back up to spell him. What do you guys want him to say exactly? And ask the players who played for Buddy whether they'd like to play for Andy, bet they'd answer yes without hesitation. Now go find me someone to go play for Buddy and listen to the crickets. What's this obsession with having a foul mouth loser with no self-control as the coach? Maybe that makes some of you guys feel like you're the one coaching since you can identify with him.— aphillyphan- poll question for the webpage -- who gave better no answers in thier interviews last night - adny reid or barack obama -- between the two of them 24 questions - 24 no answers— reddog44
- Comment removed.
- It was a breakfast session all I can see is Domo with food spit all over him— bsaw
- So what's he gonna say? "Wow! We've really made some terrible moves this off season. I can't imagine how this bunch of band aids I've assembled will be able to get it together by August." If he's not going to say anything informative, then please refuse all interviews. Oh how I pray that there will be some amazing baseball being played in this town come September.— mucklet
- Andy Reid is a joke. The Eagles just need to get rid of him and get a real coach. The man has two crack heads for kids too. What does that tell you. My God, he gets fatter each time you see him. Kind of reminds me of my old boss.— rwork1972
- I didn't think he was all that evasive with his answers. Some were more than I have heard from him in awhile. But what am I thinking? This meaage board is filled with idiots, why would they ever think otherwise? It's easier to act like a 13 year old little girl and call him fat instead of having an intelligent conversation about football. What b*%@#hs on these boards!— chaz190
- I am thankful every season that Andy Reid is the coach here in Philly. Could you imagine how little we would have to talk about if he didn't go with his guy and draft McNabb instead of Ricky Williams? First of all, he wouldn't be the coach any longer. Second of all, we would've been the basement dwelling member of the maybe team in the NFC East. Third, all of the partial comments and questions about individual positions would be moot because of the coaching carousel. Fourth, these entertaining articles could never have been written. Thankfully Andy is the coach and we aren't subjected to the Dallas treatment of overspending without at least some result. Could you imagine if we'd been reduced to the likes of Wade Phillips? GO BIRDS !!— 77volks
- OK, I'll play the straight man and ask, "Where's the beef?"
- I can't take it anymore!! Reading some of these asinine comments! I love the Eagles & the NFL. However, in general, die hard football fans have to be some of the dumbest people on earth. I watch the Eagles on TV because I can't tolerate the idiots at the game! Mental midgets everywhere!!— FetchDixon
- That's pretty much it, moderndaymesh. Fans will find anything to blast the Eagles. Their wittle dewicate feewings have been hurted too much from big losses. And people can't figure out why Andy doesn't say what he really thinks. Because it can't do any good. It doesn't matter.— Murrayman
- There will be no Super Bowl victory as long as Andy is coach and general manager. His coaching lacks in diversity and enginuity and his skills as a GM show in his inability to put a complete roster together with quality players on the field and capable back-ups ready to go from the sidelines.— Grundsow
- Unreal, you crying fools are so ungrateful. Andy has opened up more this offseason than ever before. Yeah, he's really gonna spill the beans with the ENTIRE conference's head coaches within earshot. He said alot! if you just open your eyes. Andy, I believe you, we do have the O-line inhouse to make it work, we are right there, 2 or 3!!!! new rb's!! stellar! I support this coach 100 percent. All of you haters that posted crude derogatory personal comments prolly lost all your money in crash, lol. That was Big Red's fault too, right?— Onlineps2beast
- Please hire Jon Gruden— briere48burrell5westbrook36
