Reid's 'Crucify' Concern Makes Sense
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Reid's 'Crucify' Concern Makes Sense
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
As The Idle Rich pointed out today, Andy Reid provided a much more illuminating explanation of the quarterback switch to Sports Illustrated's Peter King than the one he has given us locals.
This here Internet thing has been really popular for more than 15 years now, and people often still don't grasp that just because you said something to somebody somewhere else, that doesn't mean people here won't find out.
"A young quarterback needs time to mature as he grows in the game," King quoted Reid as saying. "I don't think Kolb has lost one thing. He's a franchise quarterback. He will win games, and championships, for the Eagles. But I think it's a different deal when you go out there and can't make a mistake or you're going to get crucified, which is the way this thing might have gone if he went back in there now.''
To review: Reid has told us locals, repeatedly, that the move had nothing to do with Kolb or an offensive line that has given up an NFL-high 11 sacks and 19 quarterback hits through two games, he has said it is about Vick and his amazing, stunning play in six quarters since Kolb suffered a concussion in the opener.
But with King, Reid is acknowledging the only scenario that really makes sense to people who have followed the careful grooming of Kolb as Donovan McNabb's successor -- Andy sees Kevin so far struggling behind an unpredictable offensive line, and he's thinking that if the whole year is like that, Kolb will be labeled a bust and the whole rebuilding program becomes a disaster.
But if Andy yanks him now -- puts the focus on himself as "the bad guy," as he said on Wednesday -- then Kolb is the guy who never got a chance. And the Eagles might be able to eke out more wins with Vick this season, before he moves on in free agency, and Reid rebuilds the o-line (again) for 2011, or whenever football resumes.
As fortune would have it, Reid was scheduled to speak to the local media once again today, so your Eagletarian led off with a question about the "crucified" quote. Reid first denied saying it, then said he needed to see what King had written before he could comment. Then he announced it was time to move on.
Later, an Eagles spokesman said that after the presser, Reid read King's piece and agreed he said what was written. But he didn't want to explain what he meant.
King told your Eagletarian this afternoon that Reid did not mention the offensive line in their conversation. He said the clear sense was that Reid "believes Kolb is going to be the Eagles' quarterback someday," but that for some reason, Andy has changed his mind about this being the day.
***
Moving on, as Andy decreed, right guard Nick Cole missed practice with that knee soreness that has been bothering him forever, and Reggie Wells took all the reps, but Reid said Cole remains the starter "right now." Uh, oh, Nick, better talk to Kevin about this.
Get em Les...
"You got a problem Les"— keepitreal1234- Good job, Les. I still find it hard to believe that the offensive line was not addressed on draft day.
- Good job, Les. I still find it hard to believe that the offensive line was not addressed on draft day.
- just play football!— osi is hurt boohoo
stop treating kolb like a little girl. either he can play the position or not. geez, im starting to think dude is soft. its philly, no matter what, you will be "crucified" if you arent playing well. i have nothing against kolb, but all these excuses for him are starting to make me think that he cant handle being a philadelphia qb.- and btw, this is kolb's 4th year. eli, ben, and brady won by their 4th year.ryan in atl is in his 3rd year yet we consider him a vet. why do people keep saying that kolb is young. oh, more excuses for him. i get it. i'm actually starting to feel bad for the kid. take the kiddie gloves of, this is a mans game
- les,this is the beginning of the end for BIG RED he's clashing with the front office,BIG RED knows conVick has a better chance of going to Jail then he has going to the SuperBowl..BIG RED wanted to build the team and that takes time with a young franchise QB,,troy aikman was 1-15 in his first full season with a 100 sacks,the time is now to play kevin kolb.....wolf.
— wolf 4 
Comment removed.- After the strike/lockout next year and CHEESEBURGER is gone maybe the upstair RATS can hire 2ond place finisher in father of the year(DUNGEY) to come coach our felon QB.— jwatson
- This is all about "Nickles" Banner telling Reid to make the switch, nothing more. Reid's days are numbered as our 5 cent team president slowly goes through the coaching staff/front office and replaces football people with salary cap/geeky/stat/bean counter types. How do I know that Reid is gone? Why, just listen to Howard Eskin, who resides up inside Banner's b*tt! Whenever an Eagle player or someone else is on the way out, all of a sudden, there's Eskin criticizing him on air. Happened with McNabb, and other players, and now it's happening to Reid. Look at where the strings that control Eskin originate from, and you will find Joe Banner.— mjc1
- reid is right.. if kolb were to be reinserted into the starting lineup and were to perform below average and go through the "growing pains" of a first year starter, people would be calling for his head because of what mike vick has shown. it just wouldnt be a good situation.— tboneee
- Well Reid has done such an amazing job with Donovan, of course he's right. Look at all of those Super Bowl rings, The Gold Standard. You know, like the ones Big Ben, Tom Brady, Ray Lewis, Kurt Warner, and Randy Moss have?— MichaelZoe
- Well Reid has done such an amazing job with Donovan, of course he's right. Look at all of those Super Bowl rings, The Gold Standard. You know, like the ones Big Ben, Tom Brady, Ray Lewis, Kurt Warner, and Randy Moss have?— MichaelZoe
- Let me get this stra.................aaagh..I just threw up in my mouth!!! ENOUGH WITH THE: POOR POOR KEVIE!!!!— sikofit
- Why does anyone bother to interview Andy Reid? Its a total waste of time.— Boru
