John Smallwood: Eagles coach Andy Reid keeps it real on radio

That's what Dave Spadaro and the other members of the official Web site of the Philadelphia Eagles are for.

The relationships between the media and the subjects it covers must remain adversarial.

Newsmakers generally want the story to get out in a manner that most suits them, while the media will follow the story wherever it goes regardless.

That's bound to create certain levels of tension and discourse.

Of course, those levels are largely a function of the individuals involved.

The level of respect, trust and understanding all play a role in the tenor of interaction in inherently adversarial relationships.

Reid and the media are never going to have a perfectly harmonious relationship. That is a given.

The media are trying to get as much information as possible while Reid is trying to reveal as little as necessary.

Under those rules of play, heads are frequently going to butt.

Still, the relationship doesn't have to be as acrimonious as it has been.

Frankly, if Reid would interact with the beat writers and columnists who regularly cover his team the way he did yesterday morning on WIP, he wouldn't have nearly as many issues with the Philadelphia media as he does.

During a question-and-answer session with Angelo Cataldi and the Morning Crew, Reid was as responsive and open as I've heard him in his 10 years in Philadelphia.

The coach didn't reveal any great secrets, break any stunning news or betray any trusts.

He just answered questions, many of which could be considered combative, in an informative and direct manner.

It was one of those rare occasions when Reid actually explained the decisions he made and why he believes they are the right ones for this organization.

For a change, he actually made you feel as if he deemed you worthy of knowing his thoughts.

That's light years away from how Reid normally interacts with the media.