Reid: "I goofed" at linebacker/safety
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Reid: "I goofed" at linebacker/safety
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Andy Reid said that he "goofed" when he didn't have the proper personnel in the middle of his defense to contend with the Eagles' new wide-nine scheme up front last season.
The Eagles defense was torched early last year on the ground when a group of young linebackers and safeties -- led by first-year defensive coordinator Juan Castillo -- had difficulty adjusting to a scheme that spread out the defensive ends and had the defensive tackles focused on the pass rush. The Eagles opened the season 1-4 and never recovered from the slow start.
"We had young guys there, and so I knew that going in," Reid said Wednesday at the start of an hour-long interview at the NFL owners meetings (click here for the full transcript). "The plan that I had I didn't execute it very well. Right? Thaty's my responsibility. I goofed on that one, right? I expected the young guys on defense to get where they're getting by the end of the season sooner, particularly the middle of the defense -- linebackers and safeties.
"I expected the offense to carry it through. So that part didn't take place. But to tell you, yeah, your linebackers -- the more gaps you open up, the more physical they have to be. That's how it is."
Reid has often been criticized for what some have called his devaluing of the linebacker and safety positions. He was asked if it was a blindspot that contributed to not having the right players in place at the start of last season.
"Well, we ended up being OK," Reid said. "Now we mixed and matched and did that whole deal. So it ended up working out OK at the end."
Still, the Eagles felt as if they needed to upgrade at the position, so this off-season they traded for middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans, an acknowledgment that Reid, as he said, "goofed." The Eagles also locked up a number of their own players to contracts, extending tackle Todd Herremans and defensive end Trent Cole and giving receiver DeSean Jackson a new deal.
Reid pointed to the Eagles' four-game winning streak to close the season as reason why he believed his team could compete for a championship this coming season.
"Yes, I'd tell you, yes," Reid said. "And that's what makes it exciting. I think we have a good group coming back and as long as we build on what we did last year -- which I think is important in this case. Every year is different, I understand that, but you got to take the momentum that you finished with and build on it and continue to get better."
Reid, once again, denied a Los Angeles Times report that there was a rift in the Eagles front office and that he had threatened to quit if he was not given more control over personnel.
"I've had final say for a number of years," Reid said. "I think one of our strengths has always been that we work well as a front office. I'm very into doing it as a team. So that's how we go about things. We share ideas. Open communication. People do have input and I welcome that. And I make that final decision. And I have great people doing it with me."
Reid also refuted a report from Howard Eskin that he had wanted to draft Jason Pierre-Paul two years ago and that general manager Howie Roseman and team president Joe Banner preferred Brandon Graham. The Eagles, of course, ended up choosing Graham two spots ahead of Pierre-Paul, who has developed into one of the game's best defensive ends. If true, the report would suggest that Reid did not have final say on football matters.
"That's not true," Reid said. "We all wanted Graham. We took Graham and unfortunately he got hurt. Fortunately, he's healthy now. We're expecting a good season from him."
Here are the other highlights from Reid's roundtable session with reporters at The Breakers Resort:
-- Reid did not deny that he had looked into the Eagles possibly acquiring quarterback Peyton Manning, but reiterated that he was "happy with Michael Vick -- that's what I mentioned about a month ago, that's how I feel today," he said.
-- When asked if the Eagles were hoping to extend running back LeSean McCoy and avoid a possible distraction like the one the team had last season with Jackson Reid said. "We'll jump in here and start working on that," Reid said. "He's a guy that we sure appreciate having on the team." The Eagles have actually been negotiating with McCoy since the end of last season.
-- Reid did not go as far as Roseman did yesterday in divulging the Eagles plans at cornerback. While Roseman did not say that Asante Samuel was on the trading block, it was clear from his comments that the Eagles have had discussions with other teams about the 31-year-old corner. "Asante is obviously on the team," Reid said. "We'll see how things go with the three of them. I said this last year, and I'd say it again -- It's a pretty good situation to have, if you could sit there and say you have the three of those corners. Asante and [Nnamdi Asomugha] are a little bit older, but both of them can still play and play at a high level."
-- Reid spoke at length about the need for Michael Vick to alter his playing style to avoid further injury. He said his parting message to the quarterback before he left for the off-season was: "You got to stay healthy." The Eagles can't work with Vick until April 16, per NFL rules, but Reid said Vick has been watching a lot of film in the effort to learn from last year's mistakes.
-- Defensive tackle Mike Patterson hasn't had any setbacks from AVM surgery, Reid said. Patterson is expected to be back in time by the start of training camp, but his recovery could affect how the Eagles approach the defensive tackle position in the draft.
-- Reid said that Mike Kafka was Vick's backup heading into spring practices. The Eagles added Trent Edwards in February and he will have the opportunity to compete, but Reid sounded as if he wanted to give Kafka every opportunity to win the job. That being said, some believe the Eagles will be in the market for a quarterback in the draft. "We're looking at that spot," Reid admitted before he added that the Eagles look at every position pre-draft.
-- Wide receiver Plaxico Burress has openly campaigned for the Eagles to sign him. Reid said that he was a fan of the 34-year old, but that "right now that's not where we're at."
-- With guard Evan Mathis now under contract, the Eagles' entire offensive line is signed through the 2014 season. Reid said this was as confident as he's felt about the line since before tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas left before the 2009 season.
Click here for the full transcript from today's interview.
Andy It's YOUR Responsibility !!! Time Is Yours !!— dmanphilly- Would he admit:
He goofed for 7 years by not acquiring top-flight receivers (despite throwing more than even Air Coryell), wasting entire careers in the process?
He goofed by refusing to continue running the ball against Carolina in the 2004 Championship game, despite Runyan's pleas and the fact that they were gaining chunks of yards?
He goofed by refusing to run Buckhalter game after game, despite the fact that he was averaging more than 6 yards per carry?
He goofed by refusing to play rookies (that is, until the Giants won a SB playing as many as 8 rookies)
He goofed by wasting the entire 2007 season because he had no punt returner?
He goofed by not handling the T.O. situation. Then goofed again, by returning to mediocre receivers, despite making it to the SB with a top-flight receiver.
He goofed by throwing too many passes despite down, distance, field location, injury, etc. Who repeatedly throws 50 passes when his QB has a broken ankle, painful sports hernia, broken ribs, etc?
He goofed by promoting his offensive line coach to defensive coordinator (during an all-in year)?
He goofed by refusing to run McCoy in the red zone for the first 10 games in 2011?
He goofed by being so predictable that in 2011, the Patriots didn't bother to play a goal-line defense inside the 5-yard line because they knew Reid would pass? And how many teams have bragged that they knew "exactly" which play Reid would run at certain times during a game? - First and last time I ever respond to you, bonewolf. You're an idiot and a fair weather fan. You add nothing, and insult everyone and everything, just so people will respond to your obvious need for attention. You are the poster child for all the bad raps we get as Eagle fans. Go root for Dallas if you don't like it, or just go away. — TexasYankee
- Dam you could not have said that any better. Thanks — charmaine
- I'm sorry but I have to disagree. Lonewolf makes very, very salient points. The validity of which cannot be denied. Does anyone deny these things didn't occur? I can't question any one of those as not being true. One poster stated something about "luck" once a team makes the playoffs. I believe that luck is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Luck is merely a name we give to events after they occur which we find to be fortuitous.
There's an old adage that states one makes their own luck. You accomplish that by shaping circumstances, events, or opportunity to your advantage. You do that by NOT doing the things that Reid has done in the past and/or by doing the things you SHOULD do, and everyone thinks you should do (collective wisdom), to succeed. By taking certain precautions, luck is not beyond your control.— essell - Struggling to see where he DIDN'T make a point. Reid Never admitted to things that were hurting the team because as we all know he invented football
- Would he admit: He goofed for 7 years by not acquiring top-flight receivers (despite throwing more than even Air Coryell), wasting entire careers in the process? He goofed by refusing to continue running the ball against Carolina in the 2004 Championship game, despite Runyan's pleas and the fact that they were gaining chunks of yards? He goofed by refusing to run Buckhalter game after game, despite the fact that he was averaging more than 6 yards per carry?
He goofed by refusing to play rookies (that is, until the Giants won a SB playing as many as 8 rookies); He goofed by wasting the entire 2007 season because he had no punt returner? He goofed by not handling the T.O. situation. Then goofed again, by returning to mediocre receivers despite making it to the SB after acquiring a top-flight receiver. He goofed by throwing too many passes despite down, distance, field location, injury, etc. Who repeatedly throws 50 passes when his QB has a broken ankle, painful sports hernia, broken ribs, etc? He goofed by promoting his offensive line coach to defensive coordinator (during an all-in year)? He goofed by refusing to run McCoy in the red zone for the first 10 games in 2011? He goofed by being so predictable that in 2011, the Patriots didn't bother to play a goal-line defense inside the 5-yard line because they knew Reid would pass? And how many teams have bragged that they knew "exactly" which play Reid would run at certain times during a game? - yes he did.— vinni
- Reid pointed to the Eagles' four-game winning streak to close the season as reason why he believed his team could compete for a championship this coming season.
FOOLS GOLD for a FOOL— ghost78 
The Eagles need to draft Fletcher Cox with the 15th pick, Vinny Curry in the 2nd and Mohamued Sanu with the other 2nd round pick. Then get depth at OT and Outside linebacker with the 3rd and 4th round picks.— briandawkins20- Yeah they were 1-4 against teams with a winning record, but winning 4 straight against mediocre teams to end the season means they're ready for a run, baby!!!
The Fool's Gold Standard strikes again.— Only in Philly... - Sounds like a guy with too much job security. He goofs on the LB/Safety's, he goofs on hiring an offensive line coach as our D-Coordinator. As long as Lurie doesn't hold Reid's feet to the fire, he will continue to make out of the box decisions because he knows he will be back next year. ITS CALLED ACCOUNTABILITY, maybe Jeff Lurie needs to understand as owner!— Jacket85
- Kookookachoo.— ej610
- Funny how all the fans and media were right about this... Also, we were right about the way Asomugha should be used... Also, how did that dawkins thing work out Andy? Idiot......— elfman
