Heckert on talks with Eagles: "Rather not say"
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Heckert on talks with Eagles: "Rather not say"
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- Tom Heckert is now in Cleveland. The Eagles, his old team, have three quarterbacks all in the the last year of their contracts. And the Browns probably need a quarterback.
He must have talked to Andy Reid, his old boss, about one of those quarterbacks, right?
"I'd rather not say," the Browns new general manager said today at the NFL scouting combine.
Asked directly about the Eagles' three quarterbacks -- Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick -- Heckert obviously did not want to discuss those players for fear of tampering.
"They're all under contract and that's all I can say," Heckert said.
He did say, when asked if Kolb had the ability to be a starter, that when the Eagles drafted Kolb three years ago that they drafted him to be a starter. Other than that, he said, "you'll have to ask Philadelphia about that one."
What a difference a month can make.
Heckert took the Cleveland job last month after a long tenure in Philly as Reid's right hand man. Even though Mike Holmgren is the Browns' president and their "voice," Heckert said that he will handle all personnel decisions.
"I have a lot more responsibility here than I did in Philadelphia," Heckert said. "I'm not saying that's good, bad or whatever. I have a lot more say."
Heckert said that he would also have more involvement in contract talks with the Browns that when he was when he was with the Eagles.
Earlier, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said that Baltimore would be interested in former Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, who was released earlier this week. Westbrook isn't technically "free" until March 5.
"To me, Brian Westbrook definitely has a lot left," the former Eagles assistant said. "I think probably the Eagles know that and everybody else knows it. He's going to have plenty of opportunities to play ... We'd be interested in Brian Westbrook. I guess I can say that, he's free.We'll just have to see what happens."
Heckert chose not to answer any questions about the Browns' interest in Westbrook.
Anyone who draws comparisons to QB's college bowl game records to NFL playoff game records has no credibility. It's asinine. And if they perform this insipid exercise, they should be honest and compare the number of championships. BOTH ZERO.— Bob1
Comment removed.- Kolb may still be an unknown in Philly, but Eagles fans need to think outside the box a little. Management did. They say something in him. I think he's the real deal. He may not have been playing for a big-time college, but he started 50+ games on Saturday over 4 years, he broke all kinds of records and Coach Reid thought enough of him to draft him in the second round. I'm betting when Kolb's time comes, he'll be ready. The Eagles are putting together some great, young players. Maybe it's just time for a change in Philly. I just don't see any fire on field right now. There's NO killer instinct. Post-season versus the Cowboys said it all.— spark12
