Former Reid Assistants Speak Out About Former Boss
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Former Reid Assistants Speak Out About Former Boss
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
PALM BEACH, Fla. -- I had an opportunity to spend a few minutes with two branches on the Andy Reid coaching tree – Browns head coach Pat Shurmur and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh -- Tuesday morning at the AFC coaches media breakfast at the NFL meetings.
Shurmur, 46, and Harbaugh, 49, spent a combined 19 years as assistants on Reid’s Eagles coaching staff. Shurmur worked for him from ’99 through ’08 before leaving to become the Rams’ offensive coordinator. Harbaugh was on his staff from ’99 through ’07 before the Ravens hired him. I asked both of them about working for Reid. This is what they had to say:
Shurmur: "There’s so many things I’ve learned from him. He’s very consistent. He has a plan and a vision for what he wants to do. I think he’s an outstanding head coach because he hires people, gives them direction and lets them do their jobs. That’s a rare quality.
There’s a quiet confidence there that rubs off on his players. They feel good about playing for him. Players emotionally are going like this (makes an up-and-down gesture) all the time. Andy’s steady. I think that’s something that’s reassuring for a player."
Harbaugh: "I’m an Andy guy. Whenever the Andy Reid era eventually ends in Philly, Eagles fans are going to look back on it and say that was a great run."
Some fans may beg to differ with Harbs, but that’s another story.
Harbaugh’s thoughts on Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo: "Having a year under his belt, having a full offseason to prepare this year, that’s going to be huge for Juan. You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse. And if you know anything about Juan Castillo, you know he’s always getting better. He’ll be that much better this season because of what he learned last year. He’s a great coach. I have nothing but respect for Juan."
The owners will vote Wednesday on whether to expand the current playoff overtime rule to the regular-season. The proposal is expected to pass, and competition committee co-chair Rich McKay has said it has the support of the league’s coaches. Not all of them, though.
Harbaugh doesn’t like the overtime rule, which allows the kicking team a possession in overtime if the receiving team kicks a field goal.
"I think sudden death is fine," the Ravens coach said. "I think sudden death is what makes the National Football League great. I probably shouldn’t say this because we had a seminar yesterday where they told us if you wonder if you should say something, you probably shouldn’t say it.
"But I like sudden death. I don’t know how the Ravens are going to vote. But my two cents says (stick with) sudden death. It’s been around forever and it’s worked pretty good."
Commish...Sorry your are one of those willing "to settle" Think Phillies, they won 102 games and had a fantastic season but lost in the first round....What part of that makes them Great and to man they are all disappointed with the year........(that may be the difference between you and them)....There is only one Winner....Everyone else is an also ran or a loser.....and remember if you think like a loser you are one.....Unless you are the lead dog, you are looking at someone else's behind.....and after 14 years, if that makes you happy, I feel sorry for you....Did you accept the second or third best girl in your life or did you marry your number one choice,....Did you accept a job jsut to get a check or is your job one you love.....Are you happy when you kids get C's and D's and just get by or do you want an honor roll student who continually strives to get better....YOUR call.....You can be a winner or a loser and if you GOAL is jsut to play, to be average, then I fell sorry for you and your koolade drinking buddies...— nuggett- I agree with your 'never be content with being a runner-up' mentality on life in general, but how would that apply to how we view the Eagles? I'm a longtime season tix holder, and I consider myself a fairly active fan, but how I conduct everyday business and how I lead my private life has nothing to do with how I root for the Birds. If I were to be content with them just making the playoffs, does that make the standard of my work any less? Or my stance on stocks any less aggressive? Or the discipline of my children any less strict? I should think not. If anything of the sort happens in your home, I suggest you get your priorities in order immediately. Enjoying and being a good fan of a sport is one thing, letting it affect your everyday life is another thing altogether. — goeagles87
- as if any former reid assistant coach is gonna talk bad about him to reporters.— bloodymess
- After watching Sound FX on the NFL Network last night which featured a miked-up Andy Reid's interaction with his players, I'm tempted to give him the benefit of the doubt now. The public persona of the reluctant participant that he presents through his news conferences is misleading and does not appear to be a true representation of his off-camera character. His coaching/teaching appeared to be delivered with charismatic effectiveness and well appreciated by (many) of those on the receiving end. The quality of some of the players may have quite a bit to do with the under-achievement of the team as a whole and that may, or may not, lay with Reid as he has previously insisted that final say on player selection is his responsibility. But if a player is not completely receptive, or focused on being coached-up, or unable to comprehend what the coach wants or expects out of him, is this the coach's fault or the inability of the player to focus? Either way, the responsibility lay with the coach to either ensure the player understands or replace that player with one who has the skill, intelligence and temperament to execute the coach's scheme employing the precise fundamentals required of him.— essell
- Yeah, we're gonna sit back a remember all of those NFC Championship losses, where he was out coached in every big game he was ever in. The problem with reid is that everyone and their mother knows exactly what play he's gonna run. people in the stands just sit and say, pass, pass, run, pass, run, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, run, run, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass... all game. I'm close to 90% correct on andy reids play calling. his scheme is broken. all of his teams have been about the big play which don't work vs. good teams or in the playoffs. football is about consistency, converting and field position and he's not good at any of these. in a decade of work with mcnabb they still could run a 2 minute drill. i cant wait to see him go...— Apollo Creed
- I don't think Andy is as good a coach as the other Eagle coaches that have won Super Bowls.— tommy_the_k
- I don't think Andy is as good a coach as the other Eagle coaches that have won Super Bowls.— tommy_the_k
- All that love for someone who holds no one accountable! I can't say the asame things about Tom Couglan but he won 2 super bowls. big red - zero!— jtcigar
- If the Eagles could only win one Super Bowl, they'd get a pass for the next 20 years. If the Giants can win Super Bowls after having so-so regular seasons, then why can't the Eagles win one. Only one is all we're asking.— SteveS11
- From Germany.
God Post. But you forget that the NFC have no dominat team in the era of AR. Maybe B Farve or K Warner.
In 2004 we beat only the 9-7 Ravens and GB with winnig records. Against all other good Teams we lost (Patriots, Steellers).
Ok we beat Atlanta, but guess who the Qb was? MV!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best year under AR was 2008. But lost in the NFC Conference Final.
— joroho68 - PS: @nuggett — joroho68
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Next thing you know, Bad Andy invented the football.
Get the overrated oaf outta here.— Atomic Fury- 'He’s a great coach. I have nothing but respect for Juan." All right than John, why didn't you or Shurmer hire him. I've made this post several times, and I'm stil waiting for a sports writer or radio host to ask the question. With so make ex Eagle assistant coaches now head coaches, why didn't any of them hire Juan as a coach if he is that great?
— watsonmr - He referred to him as "Harbs"? Really? What, is the article supposed to appeal to Canadians and/or Flyers' fans?— beegal99
- What the heck is going on today? Did the Eagles buy the newspaper?— PhillySportsAddict1969
