Where's Andy?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Where's Andy?
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- If it weren't for the Steak and Shake sightings, there might not be any proof that
Andy Reid was here for the NFL scouting combine.
The Eagles coach has been an apparition this week -- at least for the media that covers the NFL, and in particular, the reporters that write about the Eagles. The whole organization, in fact, has been in cognito. Of 32 NFL teams, the Eagles were one of only nine teams that weren't represented by a coach or genereal manager on the media room podium.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman met with a handful of reporters for a 45-minute pre-combine chat last week rather than have his week of scouting interrupted. It was an understandable move by the new GM, although he might have benefited from a podium appearance and used it as an opportunity to introduce himself to the rest of the national media.
Reid avoids the spotlight like he does the ellipitcal machine in his office. In light of all the rumors surrounding his quarterback situation, there was no way he was standing before 400 media members to answer another question about Donovan McNabb. Who could blame him? Although it would have been nice to at least seen Big Red once aaaaaaaannnnndd ... asked him if McNabb was his starting quarterback for next season.
Former Eagles and current Browns GM Tom Heckert said yesterday that he had seen Reid "numerous times." The Eagles and the Browns have suites next to each other inside Lucas Oil Stadium. In fact, Browns president Mike Holmgren was caught by an NFL Network camera chatting with Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. The two worked together in Green Bay.
The rest of the Eagles contingent have been spotted in various locales througout the week. On Friday, Roseman and Eagles president Joe Banner ran into several Eagles reporters inside the lobby at the Westin Hotel where they were staying. The two were heading to lunch with agents J.R. Rickert and Peter Schaffer, representatives for Eagles center Jamaal Jackson and defensive tackle Mike Patterson. Rickert said it was just an annual ritual and not much of a business meeting.
Offensive line coach Juan Castillo whisked through the Indiana Convention Center just outside the large conference room where hundreds of NFL agents were involved in a seminar. Castillo is one of the coaches actually involved in the combine. So, too, was wide receivers coach David Culley. There may have been more Eagles coaches giving instruction to prospects, but only a handful of reporters are actually allowed to watch the combine in person.
The rest of the staff spent its week huddled inside the cavernous dome watching various players they'll never draft, walking through the artic blast in between the Westin and Lucas Oil Stadium and eating in Indianapolis' esteemed collection of chain restaurants.
Reid, apparently, could be found at the Steak and Shake munching on its fine cuisine. Mmmmm, Steak and Shake. Sounds like dinner tonight. Maybe Reid will be there aaaaaannnnnnnd ... be able to answer who his starting quarterback is for next season.
Actually they showed AR on the NFL network today in a booth just as his double cheeseburger order was delivered...i kid you not- I don't give a damn WHAT he does, where he goes, or who he's with. As long as he 1)fixes the defense to an acceptable level (above NFL average) and 2)gets the O-line in sync again. If that happens, we AT LEAST go to the Conference Championship game. And then who knows? But if only one, or neither of those things happen, look for a 7-9 year.— TBear
- very troubling photo— soliteryman
- That photo's been around a couple of years, where have people been? I admit however that I was surprised to see it here. The Eagles brass actually think they are at a scavenger hunt. ESPN reported seeing both Banner and Laurie running around Lucas Oil Stadium dressed in white shirts, shorts, with suspenders on, with slobber coming out of their mouths screaming their winning.— watsonmr
- Man, you are really bad at this. If I was AR I would avoid you too. Maybe you should cover the Flower Show. A Twit like you should stick to Twitter— longshot991
Comment removed.- Aren't the kids supposed to sit on Santa's lap?— Joe Funk
- Vultures picking at the bones...looking for a morsel.— lgeagles
- When you are the gold standard there is no reason to be bothered with communicating with the press. After all haven't they wound multiple Super Bowls using their gold standard procedures?— mindstorms
- I know you have to keep asking, and I doubt you're surprised at the results. But fellas, please don't tell me you expect Andy Reid to name his starting quarterback when he's trying to maintain good trade value for one or two others. This is not one of those things that only super-secretive Andy Reid would do ... no coach/GM in his right mind would do it differently in this situation.— Nutburgers
- That pic looks like a Taco Bill special.— JohnnyH
- I thought it wasn't possible for the local media to get any more ridiculous.. I was wrong— mongoS
Was there a point to this article? I missed it.- actually I saw Andy Reid at the combine today watching the running back 40 yd dash. It may speak volumes that if I can see him while at home on my couch, what good are the reporters there?— tremo12
- This is one of the truly disrespectful things that the organization, namely Captain Andy and Joe Banner, do to their support group...the paying fans. They run like cowards. They hide when things are tense or they lose another Playoff game. They manipulate time and circumstances so they won't show how inept they really are these days. Their hiding for weeks at a time is pure "arrogance." Captain Andy is sitting with his new extension and can order an extra shake {believe me they are incredible at S&S. I've been to that location many, many times} but won't answer well crafted questions. Not like the ones he gets from Dave Spit-daro. Check your 2010 schedule boys...McNabb won't save you next year either.You'll be hiding again next year and the year after that, if we have football. Stay arrogant boys...the fans love it!!!!!!— Mr. M
