Reid on free agency: Eagles have 'aggressive' plan
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Reid on free agency: Eagles have 'aggressive' plan
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Andy Reid said that when the lockout is lifted the Eagles are prepared to make a splash in free agency.
"Howie [Roseman] and I got the plan together," Reid said, referring to his general manager. "It's a good, aggressive plan. When they say go, we're ready to go. It's just a matter of that time coming forward."
Could that mean the Eagles will pursue All Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha? Or could that mean the Eagles will deal backup quarterback Kevin Kolb for a starting right cornerback and use free agency to address holes on the defensive line?
Those answers won't likely come until early June, at the earliest. On Monday, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals granted NFL owners a stay until an appeal on the legality of the lockout is heard June 3. The appellate court, based on the language in the stay ruling, is likely to rule in favor of the owners and their appeal.
That scenario could drag the lockout through the summer. Normally the Eagles would be holding minicamps this time of year. Reid said the team was ready to act once the work stoppage ends.
"The coaches know that vacation this year will be a little bit different," Reid said Tuesday. "You don't want to be taking camel rides in the Sahara Desert. You don't want to be doing those this year. Save those for another year and stay close within striking distance and you can come in here for a given time to knock out a three-day minicamp. All we have to do is put a date on it. We already got it written up, drawn up, [and] the books are ready."
Reid said he and his coaches were currently working on their training camp plan -- that is, if there is time for a training camp.
"If it happens Day 1, that's great," Reid said. "We got a plan for that. If it happens a couple of weeks into camp we got that taken care of. If it happens right before the first game we got that taken care of. Anything else we don't need camp."
Reid said the Eagles have been in constant communication with Lehigh University about tcamp. He said the team did not have a cut off date for canceling camp in Bethlehem.
Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and a number of Eagles plan on holding informal workouts this week or next. Reid said he was happy to hear Vick was organizing the practices and that the get-togethers could have some value.
"Is it practice at the same tempo you're going to do here? No," Reid said. "But it at least keeps them fresh, it keeps their timing up, so when they have the opportunity to get back to practice they're a step ahead of what they might normally be."
Reid was able to meet with Vick and a number of players when the lockout was briefly lifted on the second day of the draft. He said he wasn't able to give Vick formal instructions for practices, but the Eagles were able to pass along playbooks to the players that did show and Fed Ex some to the others.
Reid, who was at the practice bubble at the NovaCare Complex to talk to Philadelphia High School all stars in preparation for Saturday's game at the Linc, said that he missed his players.
"This is what we do. We coach," Reid said. "Would we like to have the players here to coach? Absolutely."
I am teary eyed, coach.— IhateChrisWheeler- He must be talking about next season, There won't be one this year.— eaglesman1
- He must be talking about next season, There won't be one this year.— eaglesman1
- The most aggressive Reid has ever been is at the All You Can Eat Buffet Table. Give us a break Andy. You couldn't tell the truth if your life depended on it.— The Marco Islander
- Ummm, Marco Islander, you can be a hater all you want, but the Eagles have been notoriously either big-splash or no-splash teams in free agency. How quickly you forget signing Asante? Or, acquiring T.O. and Jevon Kearse? They either play their chips all-in or nothing and I'm looking forward to seeing what this plan is... — cdk104
- Yea, and on top of that, why do you think the eagles cut all that dead wood last season knowing very well the new CBA, whenever that is will allow them to spend money on some high class FA's. remember last season when everyone was wondering why we cut all them vets, they know what they are doing.
— azguz - If the eagles don't pick up some real good players, the real good players they have, now will not stay— spear1
- I think Andy knows his time is limited that's why they "shook things up" I would like to think with the hiring of Mudd and Howard, two proven coaches they'll spend whatever needed to get the best FA players available. But then again....... I say brank the bank! Lurie can always make movies!— Ghostface
- It's only entertainment and I really don't care if or when it resumes. It's their lose.— aden
- We need a high motor guy— Ssteve115
- They must mean undrafted free agency!— Geno D
- I tell you that could benefit as well. Take that safety from Clemson. That kid was projected as a solid middle rounder. DeAndre McDaniel has all the tools and work ethic to make it in the league, I hope the birds have their eye on him. I believe he was randked by some services as the third best safety in the draft — tsump
- Ghostface, I would agree with you if they hadn't fixed the worst defense in 20 years to be led by a guy who has never coached that sode of the ball. Get ready for them to be aggresive filling the bottom of the roster!— yourdaddy!
- Time's ours.
— HeelYes - In fact, the Eagles have been aggressive on occasion in the past. Samuels, Peters and Owens all were aggressively and early pursued. Some obviously were busts but the fact remains the Eagles went after them. Don't let your dislike of Reid blur the truth.— The Dutchman
- You're right, Dutch. — wordsword
Comment removed.- They're aggressively checking to see what free agents finished the season on injured reserve— Luriesucks
- hey let's grab a bunch of injured guys and hope they get better?— sawgrass
- Talk is cheap. Reid is all talk. Banner is all cheap....This team needs a management and coaching change.— downtheshore
- They would like to find a fast 210lb defensive end and convert him to a cornerback. Cause they know they can.— hipdaddy
- they have been a very aggressive team in the past and will continue to be... I see them picking up N.A. at CB, Babin at DE and if he is released Fat Albert at DT... then trade Kolb for a couple picks that they turn around and trade for a starting OLineman.— dennismithusa
- they have been a very aggressive team in the past and will continue to be... I see them picking up N.A. at CB, Babin at DE and if he is released Fat Albert at DT... then trade Kolb for a couple picks that they turn around and trade for a starting OLineman.— dennismithusa
- Reid: Eagles to be 'aggressive' in free agency. Translation: The Eagles are looking for low budget, small linebackers "with a big motor".— hallux
- Great!!....We need to be aggressive, because our defense blows!— Eaglecheesehead
- No stinkin' appeals court judges are gonna interfere with MY camel ride in the Sahara. I booked that sucker three years ago, and the cancellation fee is punitive.— Dave Clemens
- Andy's big plan this year is to try to bring back McNabb as a backup, and sign Reno Mahe as a kick returner.
They may re-sign Westbrook too, if they can come to terms.— fmMD - Andy has always been a liar— shawnmac
- This is one of those times when I wish we lived in a country where the government made people do their jobs at gunpoint when they complained or didn't do what they were supposed to do, owners and players. Jerry Jones cracks wise and they take him out . . . no more trouble. Go EAGLES!— EagleEye61
- Aggressive in Free Agency.....lets see if anyone wants to play for the losers, Who never get past the 1st round of the playoffs! No Super Bowl...No good free agents!— MRD
- In honor of 726:
Joe "Nickels" Banner!— Penfold18 - It really doesn't matter to me at this point if there is a season or not. I wonder if the owners realize how many people feel the same as I. I think players and owners would lose the most if there is no season. We as fans will be fine. If they want to try this year, good luck.— JamesSeitz
- I don't think the Eagles will pursuevNnamdi Asomugha... because of his age and the amount of money he will request... I think an aggressive plan to them is getting another corner that is pro bowl caliber like Johnathon Joseph from Cincinatti and getting another defensive end either Ray Edwards or Jason Babin.— soldierboy
- Yes, Ghostface, let's brake the bank. It was clearly moving too fast.— Leegles
- Surprised at all the negativity for Andy Reid in the comments. Coaches have nothing to do with this stoppage and lockout. Players, agents and owners are the real culprits here folks.— dapmman
- The Eagles master plan usually involves a monkey, a blind fold, and a dart board.— ej610
- Not until June at the earliest?
Great! Plenty of time for more empty calorie speculation by the beat writers and columnists, AND more inane and moronic commentary from the posters.
Perfect.— CarpGuy 
Looking forward to lockout ending and the EAGLES moves thru trades and free agency. GO EAGLES!!!— Phillyflashgordon- Wow, startling news, that the Eagles are going after free agents. NFL is superconfident the fans won't lose interest, as the writers search high and low for things to say. Of course the NFL is also confident that dead bodies in Pakistan and Afghanistan will bring world peace.— armchairGM
