Players feel sad and guilty
Eagles players react to Reid's firing
Players feel sad and guilty
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Cullen Jenkins could just shake his head and say, "He took all of the heat for all of our failures on the field."
And so it went, on the day Eagles fired coach Andy Reid.
The press was allowed into the NovaCare Complex at 11 am, an hour after Reid addressed the team following his firing. Several players said the team gave Reid a standing ovation when he was finished talking. Then, the ritual collection of belongings in trash bags began. Most of the players were gone by the time reporters entered the locker room.
For those who were there, several feelings were common and pervasive: regret, disappointment, sadness for Reid, guilt at the part that they played in his demise. But, as safety Kurt Coleman said, "I can't say I feel guilty because I gave everything I had on every play. But, as a player, do I feel I had a hand in it? Absolutely."
"He's meant so much to us," said rookie quarterback Nick Foles. "He's been our leader. He's been our rock. It's tough on the players. It's just one of those days, a tough day."
When asked about the final team meeting, running back LeSean McCoy said, "He had a lot of relationships with a lot of different players. It was definitely emotional, for me as well. The whole meeting was...We just felt his pain. Being in a place for so long, and being so successful..."
This firing was hardly unexpected. As the weeks rolled on, and the losses mounted, it was impossible for the players not to contemplate this day. Still, well..
I was hoping for the best," wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said, on a day that was the worst for the people in the Eagles' locker room.
The players don't care. They can say whatever they want when the mic is on but their play over the last few weeks has shown them for who they really are: frauds with zero character. I don't care how much you hated Reid, he deserved better than this.— CaptAwesome- i would like to hear from the players in reid's heyday - trotter, dawkins, mcnabb - what do they have to say about reid? how would they sum up reid's tenure? — zwarte piet
- You can only take them at their word. Unless you are a mind reader, of course.
— carmendmv - Given what these people make in salary, I don't feel sorry for them at moments like this. Coaches are paid to win games and Andy did not win games the last couple of years; he had to go. Players are paid to make plays and the Eagles players did not make plays the last couple of years so they will be evaluated and the bums will have to go. In regard to the players, they thought they could make more money elsewhwere so they played it safe this year and didn't play hard so they wouldn't get hurt; unfortunately for them, they lost a year (or two) in what is a very short career and they will probably have to face a bleak future.— BobSG
- See you in Arizona Andy— phillyaz
- If Andy Reid had left after 2009, he would have left being more highly regarded than he goes now. Too many "reaches" and cute moves that blew up in his face --- hiring Washburn before a coordinator, passing on the obvious draft picks like Earl Thomas, poor coach replacements, and two consecutive horrific draft years ('10 & '11).
He fired himself.— yobill626 - Players always blame themselves after a coach is fired. If they had played the way they were supposed to, coaches wouldn't be fired. But, if a coach cannot get his players to play, then he does deserve the blame.— mike l
- if they cared so much...then why did they quit on the field every wek?!?!?!?!?!?— psualum
- Maybe Reid fired himelf, but he waited too long to do it. He should have been gone about two or three seasons back. At last...— Getinline
- Yeah right. If these guys cared, even a tiny, tiny bit they wouldn't have played the way they did this year. Heck, if they had even a little bit of self-respect they'd have played better.— fightonphilly
- Yeah right. If these guys cared, even a tiny, tiny bit they wouldn't have played the way they did this year. Heck, if they had even a little bit of self-respect they'd have played better.— fightonphilly
- Actions speak louder than words and after yesterday's "who gives a f--k" performance, it is quite clear the only thing 95% of these players cared about was getting the game over and going on their merry way. Hopefully, a lot of them will not be back. I am not happy with Roseman staying however.— Marie Elena
- BOBSG,
I disagree. On a human level its is ok to feel bad for the man. If you are a fan, remember you watch this game for fun, but this is how AR put food on his table. Firing AR was necessary, but lets not rob him of his dignity.— keithf35 - No comments from Vick?— newzeegal
- vick did comment and he looked like he was about to cry and sounded like he wanted to fight a couple of teammates while he was cleaning out his locker. was on nfl network — bigjay215
