Andy Gets The Rumor Mill Treatment
Posted: March 23rd, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 65 Comments »The hot news item today comes from Sam Farmer of the LA Times, in an around the league type of column. Sammy shared 2 nuggets with us:
Two NFL insiders, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic, said that Philadelphia Coach Andy Reid was ready to walk away from the Eagles if he didn’t get more personnel control, and now he has it.
And…
Reid wanted to jump in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, despite the signing of Michael Vick to a six-year, $100-million contract last season. Talks never got too serious, the insiders say, because Manning didn’t like the idea of playing against his brother Eli, quarterback of the New York Giants, at least twice a season.
Okay, let’s start with topic number one.
Back in January Jeff Lurie was seriously reviewing whether he should bring Andy Reid back to coach the team. Reid hoped to return and have a chance to get the team back to the playoffs, to undo the misery of the 2011 disaster.
Now we’re supposed to believe that Reid was doing a power play? Does that make sense to anyone? If Lurie had serious questions about keeping Reid, wouldn’t he have told Andy to go suck an egg the minute Reid tried to strong-arm him? Reid went from shaky ground in December and January to “I get more juice or I’m outta here” in February/March. That doesn’t compute.
Now, I do think there is one issue here that could be at play…DeSean Jackson. Andy has been his biggest advocate within the organization. It could be that Andy and Howie and/or Joe Banner did have a fight over DeSean’s situation. This is pure speculation on my part. And frankly it is the only personnel move where I can see any room for serious disagreement.
Do you think anyone was against Trent or Todd getting extensions? Do you think anyone wanted Evan Mathis to bolt? DeSean is the only hot button player that had to be dealt with. And this could be a situation where Lurie was brought in to settle the issue, if it ever existed.
I could see Reid’s agent or someone else in the know spinning that to be Andy fighting for power. I cannot see Reid flat out saying “I want more power or I walk”. That doesn’t make sense to me.
The other key point here is that Andy does control the personnel moves. He doesn’t have cart blanche, but he is the final decision maker. Roseman and the scouts grade players and present Reid with his options. Roseman, his staff, and Reid work out the free agency and draft plans together. Reid doesn’t have time to say “Hey, I watched some tape of 30 free agent guards, including Mike Gibson. Let’s go sign him.” Howie takes the list of candidates to Reid. Andy then does watch some tape and read the reports. He then agrees that Gibson is the guy to go after.
Are there internal disputes? Yes. Mostly they tend to be minor. If there was a huge issue, like the future of DeSean, that would be a complicated matter. Reid and Roseman would discuss it over and over, but with no resolution in sight, that’s when I could see Lurie stepping in.
Again, I don’t know if this is what happened. I’m strictly guessing.
As to the Manning thing…hell yes Reid was interested. The man signed Michael Vick when we had 3 QBs already in place. He wants to draft a QB of the future every year. Give Reid the chance to get a Hall of Fame guy and you know he’s going to want him.
I’ve told you guys before that Reid wanted to keep Donovan McNabb after the 2009 season. Reid wanted another year of McNabb, Kolb, and Vick. The man is QB greedy. Some might argue that he’s QB delusional. Banner and Roseman were able to talk sense into him on that front and McNabb did get dealt.
This is why I say that if Ryan Tannehill reaches pick 15 (which I think is virtually impossible), you can bet Reid will want to take him. The man can’t say no to cheeseburgers or QBs.
I don’t blame Reid for being fascinated with the idea of Manning or even wanting him. It is good that it never went beyond the daydreaming phase. That’s a level of drama I’d like to avoid this year.
* * * * *
I’ve gotten quite a few questions about SS Yeremiah Bell, who was recently released by the Dolphins.
Bell is a solid player. I only had a chance to watch one game of his since the release. I can’t say he jumped out at me, but you can tell he’s a quality veteran. He takes good angles to the ball. Solid tackler. He did get burned on a play-action pass for a big gain, but that happens to everyone.
Bell is 34 years old. He hasn’t missed a game since 2007 and has been highly productive in that time. He could be an interesting one-year addition. Bell played for Todd Bowles in Miami and Bowles is now the Eagles DB coach. That connection could help everyone involved. The addition of Bell would also buy Jaiquawn Jarrett another year to adjust to the NFL.
The loser would be Kurt Coleman. He had a solid season in 2011, albeit with some definite low points. Coleman played well enough that I think he deserves a chance to start again. Adding Bell would push Coleman to the number three Safety spot. That’s not the worst thing in the world. It certainly would improve the overall depth of the group.
Dave Spadaro has mentioned that the Eagles could add a veteran SS. If they do, Bell makes a lot of sense. Don’t think of him as some stud Pro Bowl player, though. He would be a solid veteran addition, nothing more. Then again, maybe that’s all we need.
* * * * *
Here is Les Bowen’s take on the Reid situation. Good stuff, as you would expect.
I am not opposed to Tannehill if Andy and Marty are going to be around for a while.
Tannehill: Our extra 2nd round pick in 2015.
“Back in January Jeff Lurie was seriously reviewing whether he should bring Andy Reid back to coach the team. Reid hoped to return and have a chance to get the team back to the playoffs, to undo the misery of the 2011 disaster. Now we’re supposed to believe that Reid was doing a power play? Does that make sense to anyone?”
Actually, it does. That’s how you call the bluff behind Lurie’s implied threat. You go on the attack and turn the attention to why you’re angry and how they had better start giving you some answers and satisfaction or else they’ll have to do something they really don’t want to do (because you know he doesn’t want to fire you, or you’d have been fired already).
Interesting. Do we think Reid is capable of this kind of maneuvering? AR is a smart cat, but I’m not sure he’s got the office skills to pull something like this off. Maybe if he got his agent involved.
AR has an agent named LaMonte. So yes, AR is smart enough because . . .
Bob LaMonte is as cut-throat as Rosenhaus. Just about coaches, because that’s LaMonte’s client-base.
There were rumors after the season that Reid would be snatched up instantly if Laurie cut him loose and that the available choices for H.C. stunk. And Laurie didn’t want to been seen as firing an H.C. who’d be hired faster than Leon Hess hired Dick Kotite in 1994.
So I’m with TMc on this: LaMonte put the screws to Laurie and called his bluff.
Andy Reid is an executive who’s been directly responsible for something like 100 people at all times for more than a decade. He made the jump to that spot from assistant to assistant coach. He’s got the chops to do it, and the savvy to not make a mess of it that would be apparent to people watching. It’s really just a matter of knowing when to get earnestly indignant to scare his boss.
It may not have happened like this guy said, but an NFL head coach for this long knows how to handle his power.
Here’s another angle, though: If you want to cement the players loyalty to the coach, making them think he’s responsible for the loyalty push, while the bean counter was responsible for bringing in all the outsiders last year, is a good way to do it. …
I don’t think Andy is dumb or naive. Still, there is a difference in being a good football coach and being someone who handles office politics with millionaire/billionaire types shrewdly. Andy is a good coach. Just not sure about the other side. Maybe.
I just don’t see that happening. Reid and Lurie have as close a owner/coach relationship as you can have. Did you ever get the sense that Reid was NOT in total control of the team? No moves were made over the last couple seasons that would seem to contradict anything Reid would want in his team. Did Reid not want Nnamdi? Did Reid not want Babin or CuJo?
Like Tommy said, the only possible angle is Reid blames Roseman and Banner for not getting DeSean’s deal done before last season, causing his play to slip when they needed it.
Other than that, this just doesn’t seem like something Reid had to do in the first place.
Are you sure Andy had full control of all those signings last year? Some of those guys never got fit into the team like the others. It was a tight offseason and the Eagles signed a lot of dudes. I wouldn’t be surprised if they got some people who maybe weren’t quite Andy’s priorities.
Which signings do you think he wasn’t on board with?
Well, VY, Smith and Ronnie Brown were never well integrated, maybe some of them weren’t what he was looking for. For all Andy’s messaging about what great additions they were, maybe that was after the fact. Once a guy is on your team, you have to say he’s great, otherwise you’re just making more trouble for yourself. Doesn’t necessarily mean he felt that way before they were Eagles.
Good point, and Les’s column suggests that there was real tension between Reid and Banner. But as far asany calls on personel goes, I don’t care to speculate. It’s a useless endeavor.
Quite frankly, it amazes me how well Roseman was able to turn over the defense in the span of two offseasons. If we can sign Bell to be a stop gap SS then draft a DT and OLB early, can you honestly find one hole on the defense? What about the offense for that matter?
Personally I want our 2012 defense to look like this in september:
DE: Cole
DT: Jenkins
DT: Patterson (Cox/Worthy comes in on passing downs)
DE: Babin
SLB: Bobby Wagner/Ronnell Lewis (unless Chaney is healthy and rightfully wins the spot)
MLB: Ryans
WLB: Rolle
CB: DRC
FS: Allen
SS: Bell
CB: Nnamdi
If everyone, or at least almost everyone, can play up to their potential, that right there is a top 3 defense.
Another Roseman supporter. I’ve been trying to convince some of the hater’s on here for awhile to give the dude a chance. I like the moves he has made for the Eagles.
I still need to do a full Roseman post. There is good and bad to be discussed. The 2012 draft is huge for him. It would also help if the last 2 classes took a big step forward.
Bottom line is, no one would say anything about how the 22 other picks didn’t really pan out (I’m estimating, of course) if Graham and Allen were serviceable starters at this point in their careers. Because of those injuries, it’s really skewed peoples’ opinions.
Add me to the Roseman fan club too. I love what he’s done in free agency and I am waiting on the injuries before I judge his draft classes too harshly.
The whole in the defense will continue to be Castillo.
One gaping hole: we don’t know how well most of those players will play together. Too much change in one season… generally doesn’t turn out well at first although they might end the season strong.
You basically have 2 starters returning from the back seven.
Adding SS Yeremiah Bell would be a good decision. Tell the young guys to come to camp ready to compete and play. The football season is long and injuries happen. If they do, then Coleman or Jarrett could spring into action. If they are quality guys as alott of you think, than the Eagles will be all the better for it.
I am very impressed with their addition of Ryan via trade. Getting a leader is very important and its going to be fun watching him play and see how the defense gets better because he is there (talent) and how he leads and directs them.
I still think we need to add at least one more starting LB (SAM) to the mix either by trade FA or draft. This acquirement doesnt have to be expensive just experienced and a bit higher than a role type player — in other words a true every down starter.
I dont think if we do this, it precludes the younger guys from advancing. As I said with the safety position — tell the guys to come to play. Whoever we keep, will be on special teams and in other packages if we need them. And if someone gets injured/ and or falters, they can step in and play.
I would like this to be a special season for all of us. And a special ending result.
Who knows? May this year we can win it all.
isn’t it possible that after lurie decided to keep reid, that reid may have told him that the only way he will be able to succeed is if he is given more power in personnel moves? i know that he already has “final say” but maybe that had eroded and andy used that as an excuse for the recent failures of the team.
Possible scenario.
I just question the idea that Reid did some power play.
This just in… Vince Young’s new “dream team” is the Texans.
No seriously… he IS stupid enough to say it again. Wow!
Texans making some seriously dumb moves this off-season.
VY . . . scored a 6 on the Wonderlich.
I seem to be in the minority of being a pretty open supporter of Kurt Coleman. He was downright bad at times in the first half of the season last year, but he is also only 2 years removed from being a 7th round pick. He’s started 15 games in that span, and I think its fair to say that he is getting better with each one of him. I dunno, maybe I just like his style of play. But I’d prefer to just let our in-house safeties compete and see what we can get out of the young guys. Or else this could quickly become a situation where every single off-season we are adding another 1-year “stop gap” player. Let Allen, Coleman and Jarrett compete. If they flame out, cut ’em loose. At least we’ll know what we have with them, instead of delaying the process by trying to sign every Tom, Dick and Yeremiah.
I really hope Coleman is a “player”.
When the season starts, we arent going to be able to easily upgrade.
We should add a veteran player now (before training camp).
If we keep waiting until our guys fail (I hope not), our options will then be limited because there are other NFL teams that will be after the same guys.
I hate to fix one major hole (LB) just to have another show itself (Safety) during the season if things dont work out as planned.
I’m in there with ya. He plays with some passion and guts which I like. He isn’t some amazing S that’s changing the face of our team, but he can lay some wood and has decent hands. I’m sure there are other teams kicking themselves for not drafting him.
I would love to add Bell, I think a solid veteran is all we need. Hopefully JJ develops and maybe even starts by mid season, but I want another veteran player in the middle of our defense.
Tommy, now that the dust is settling after the DeMeco trade and we are all getting use to the idea of having a stud MLB, I am starting to think a lot more about drafting Luke Skykuelchly and starting him at SAM. Brian Cushing played well as a SAM next to DeMeco in Houston, how do Luke’s skills and experience compare to Cushing’s when he came out?
The Lions did not give Tulloch the monster deal he wanted.So my question is who is the better LB Tulloch who as far as I know has no major injuries or Ryans who has an injury history.also consider that Tulloch has played in the wide 9.I know Ryans is a 2 x probowler..that was then.I’m asking who is the better LB right now and I guess more importantly who would thrive more in the Iggles system?Did the Iggles target the wrong LB?..food for thought
Go back and read some of Tommy’s previous articles on Tulloch. I think you’ll find the answer.
Tulloch left the Titans and they had little to no interest in keeping him. The Lions let him hit the market this year and held firm on their price. They were willing to lose Tulloch. Pretty good player, but not as good as the hype. And you wonder what kind of a leader he is. I’m not saying he’s a bad guy by any stretch, but clearly Ryans is a guy who you want on your team because of his leadership skills.
I’ll take Ryans.
Tillich played on the wide 9 but not in the same system. Titans and eagles system is different albeit the wide 9. Personally I beleive ryans is the better lb. tulluch didn’t really have an amazing year. He had that one year with the titans that he led the league in tackling. 2 years ago I beleive, other then that year ryans has been the better lb.
Also don’t forget that Ryan’s brings do much leadership to the table and is able to get other guys in the right position. This is something that tulluch does not bring to the table. And this is something that we really need.
Correct me if I am wrong but Detroit might run the wise 9 also or
Something very similar to it. And again tulluch didn’t really have that amazing of a year. Sorry, phone sort of bugged and wouldn’t let me continue post.
Hey Tommy, what’s the holdup on Plaxico?
No inside info, but I get the feeling it is simply money. Plax knows the end is near and wants to make as much as he can.
I don’t think there ever was a middle ground. Either Reid stayed and had the same personnel control he had for years, or he was gone. If he had to make a stand, then someone else must have stepped up and asserted control and got push back.
Colt Anderson’s knee decides Bell’s fate.
We carry 9 DBs
3 Safeties: Allen-Jarrett-Coleman
5 CBs: Nnamdi-DRC-Marsh-Slot CB (Draft Pick)- Hughes/Hanson
PUP: Colt Anderson
If Colt Anderson is healthy, do we need Bell? I’d sign Bell as insurance if the cost makes sense. Worst case we carry 5 Ss and 4 DBs. Clayton can play more and Allen can cover slower WRs 1 on 1.
Great point.
It is a shame that such a fan favorite grits and guts special teamer like Colt went down that way.
I want to give our young guys a chance. We’ve over-tipped the balance between ignoring problems, and too quickly seeking immediate gratification. Bring in Bell only if he’s ok with sitting on the bench.
Clever name, by the way.
I don’t sign any veteran Safety with the thought that he’s a lock for the team. If Ja-Jar, Nate, and Kurt play well, those are my key guys.
Every time you write “Ja-Jar” I read it as Jar-Jar, and wonder who the hell you’re talking about.
Agreed it gives me nightmares about star wars episode 1.
Do you think Jarrett refers to Andy Reid as Annie?
“Meesa go to Temple, meesa play safety Annie!”
Its sad how much that movie stinks.
You know… on the second go round with that movie this year (obviously with a lot of time in between viewings) I was prepared for the annoyance and managed to block most of it out, making for a more pleasurable viewing experience.
And my kids, who are roughly Skywalker’s age, love it. I don’t think that’s a coincidence.
A guy I work with is putting his kids(ages 4 and 7) through the paces of the Star Wars saga, and he started with the prequels first. He said the same thing… they go bananas for them, especially Phantom Menace.
One day I’ll try to give it another go. The pod race scene was awesome, and the lightsaber battle at the end was cool as well. I can’t really remember anything else redeemable about it. I did really enjoy “Revenge of the Sith,” however.
Lol same
Tommy- is bell a good special
Teams player?
Don’t know. Starting Safety for the last 4 years so he probably wasn’t playing a ton on STs in that time.
I think that’s why I am so curious about Bell. I get the sense that he would be a guy you can sign to a one year deal and he wouldn’t be so expensive that you are financially obligated to start him. Thus, if he ends up as the starter, you have improved your team, if he ends up as the back, you have improved your bench or you can cut him in favor of a STs player. I just think that if either Coleman or Allen fail (or get injured), relying on Jarrett to start is a huge risk considering how little he showed last year. Assuming you can sign Bell cheap, I just don’t see the downside.
Oi Friggen Vey Tommy.
Gotta help me with this one. What did I say that’s wrong (or right…or whatever)?
No, lol. It was just nice to have small successes in the off-season before the drama fairy paid a visit. You are gold my friend!
The drama fairy does like to visit Philly.
From NFL.com is a discussion item:
Could Saints move on without Payton?
If the do, there is plan B if Reid stinks again this year.
I think that each teams has what u might call, the signature of a HC. When a team ends the year with a .500+ and doesn’t warrant a necessity of a coach being fired. In the case of such, that a coach is fired, who do they look for to put the team into a better position?
When a team is doing a .500 or better, putting another coach in, changes the signature of how the team will be run. Basically having some of the same players, with the additions of draft picks and the Trade Market, you would have to expect 3 full seasons, for a coach’s signature to emerge.
Now, I don’t know if Lurie, had had any intentions of selling the team, if they don’t get the Lombardi Trophy (hoping this was a thought out of someone’s mind). Had Lurie entertained the idea of changing the HC position, he’d have looked into some available prospects and knows his chances of seeing the Lombardi Trophy soon, is very slim, let alone, division championship, conference championship. He knows very few coaches has ability to step in, and take a .500 team into the right direction and hold them up for the long haul.
Those few coaches are already set with their teams, who wouldn’t entertain the thought of removing their signatures from their teams. Last year, AR rebuilt the team from the bottom up, with FA and some of the draft picks. Despite the team’s atrocities, they manage to level out at .500. Could Lurie actually believe that replacing AR, and his staffs, that the team will move on from the .500 into a better season? It can go 50/50, which players stays, which players goes and what players comes in.
Whether there’s controversy in the FO, it comes down to who runs the team. Lurie said himself that AR has a very good track record in terms of championships and playoff games among past team’s coaches. He couldn’t have been far from the truth, I think the fact remains that he may let AR’s contract runs out, before considering other options.
Even when there’s rumor mongers, there’s some facts to the rumors, that’s been exaggerated to the point of explicitly exposing non-plausible editing, for the sake of saying it’s from such and such, reliable sources. Only to realize that it wasn’t what it seems to be. It’s much easier getting any resources directly from the source, who is the one that is doing the talking, himself. Sometimes, the general public sees the MO, and knows them for what it is. It’s news for what ir is, sometimes a twist is added, to either exemplify it or exaggerate it. Those editors should get the ultimatum, I’d they’re being paid. What do u do to the editors, who aren’t being paid?
Dominoes are starting to fall at the LB position. McClain resigning with the Ravens and Erin Henderson resigning with the Vikings. Wonder if Lofton is just going to have to temper his expectations and saunter back to Atlanta.
Also, Jeff Saturday signed with the Packers… and NOT the Broncos. That sure surprised me.
Aye the 3 amigos split up.
Wayne-back to Colts
Manning-Broncos
Saturday-Packers
I guess money talks louder than friendship.
I’d love to see Hawthore re-sign with Seattle who are in good position to take Lukie the K.ahead of us.
Just to mention him – I think there could also be tension around Asante Samuel. I know you, and most of the people who write about the birds, assume everyone in the organization is on board to trade him but that might not be the case. What is Roseman or Andy really want to keep him around but the other is over it? That could cause some arguments…I am very curious what will happen with him.
T-LAW . . . great new mock at SBN. http://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-eagles/2012/3/24/2898782/philadelphia-eagles-mock-draft
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I said this yesterday . . . the best reason to take LKuech is the Bear’s defense, with two great LBs. What a difference that could make for the Birds. Huge upgrade of the defense based on the scheme they use.
On the question of *value* between a LB v. DT/DE in Rd 1, there’s definitely the argument — and your Mock may validate it — that with the Wide-9 scheme, lesser-valued players for teams w/ more traditional defensive fronts [Eagles 1999-2010], give the Eagles more flexibility to choose someone like LKuech after just adding DeMR. And the same’s true on the OL-side.
If the Eagles could get everyone of the guys you’ve pegged . . . OMG!!!
Love the Bruce Irvin choice in Rd 4. Sprinter speed around the corner on 3rd downs.
Derrick Wolfe at DT. A younger, more natively talented Derrick Landri who’s a natural pass rusher. Great.
Rutgers’ WR Sanu. Mitts the size of Chase Utley’s baseball glove.
UGA’s Boykin . . . I live in Atlanta. This kid is incredibly humble, fearless, and a great athlete with excellent “game speed.”
Tank Carder from TCU . . . the new LB-U. He’d be another great up-grade over Fokou/Jordon. Maybe Matthews, too.
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T-LAW:
The White House (whatever the administration) monitors political blogs.
Hopefully, the Eagles are monitoring YOU . . . .
Truly great work.
And as my grandmother used to say (rest in peace): “From your mouth to God’s ears.”
That really is one of those mocks that I’d have absolutely no qualms with. I’ve been a huge advocate of both Kuechwalker and Tank Carder all off-season, and I think that would be an enlightening pair of additions to our LB corps.
Boykin kills two birds with one stone as a dynamic RS and slot corner. Sanu is poised to drop due to the lack of straightline speed but he works the middle of the field and has great hands, and obvious heir to Avant. Wolfe is tailor-made for Washburn’s system, and Bruce Irvin has such an intriguing blend of H-W-S potential that its hard to argue taking him as a developmental prospect.
Very good work, Tommy. Damn near ideal, in fact. My only problem–and this is not a criticism of the mock-maker, simply a criticism of the format itself–is that I don’t always like mock drafts that only focus on one team’s picks. I think it is too difficult to quantify how the rest of the board will fall throughout the 7 rounds, and therefore you get into a little bit more of an educated guessing game of, “wait, will this guy even be there?” Again, though, great stuff.
I would love Y.Bell as an eagle, he is a born leader and can really motivate the d.