Control freak Reid has created a crisis
Jack McCaffery, Times Sports Columnist
01/25/2007
Day One of the Andy Reid Era in Philadelphia, introductory press conference in a downtown ballroom, cameras everywhere, reporters interested, a franchise open to change. And a hint of what was to come. "We all want the same thing here," Reid said, before implying that the press should follow his rules and enjoy the ride to all football glory. In other words, he mistook Philadelphia then as he has mistaken it ever since for Green Bay, and since he never learned otherwise, now he has a crisis.
He has a crisis because he has one quarterback whom he has pummeled into sad timidity, softening him like a well-oiled catcher’s mitt with years of needless protection, ridiculous diversion and relentless control. That would be Donovan McNabb, prone to injury and late-game stomach distress, interceptions at the worst of moments, weird humor and hair-trigger feelings. And the crisis began last week when, in a snapshot of the Reid-McNabb relationship, the head coach ordered the quarterback not to answer legitimate, responsible football questions in a reasonable, conventional setting -- and the quarterback retreated to his room, exactly as ordered, not allowed to say anything at the dinner table.
Reid also has the crisis because he has another quarterback who never submitted to control, generally speaks when he cares to speak and was willing to fly to Burbank, don an Eagles jersey and participate in a slapstick stunt for Jay Leno in which a Giants fan was flattened by a panel truck. That would be Jeff Garcia, prone to NFL survival, strong of personal sense and willing to embrace any football moment.
So where is the problem?
The problem is that once Reid misread his play chart and believed he could throw a blanket of camouflage leaves over the possibility of his worst fear -- a quarterback crisis -- the leaves began to smolder and there was no fire-extinguisher in sight. Having not learned anything since his Day One orders to the press were met with muffled laughs, Reid apparently didn’t learn much, either, in whatever journalism program he may have taken at BYU. He never learned that cover-ups not only don’t work, but encourage deeper digging.
In another situation, in another program, the two-headed quarterback monster would have been transformed by now into a lovable pet. In a 20-minute postseason press conference, ostensibly to provide a medical update concerning his surgically repaired knee, McNabb could have expressed delight at Garcia’s success, thrust his fist to the sky and energized Eagles fans with the promise that he would return better than ever. At the worst, the Eagles would have two fine quarterbacks going forward, both with the same mission -- to put an end to the disgrace that is 0-since-1960. At best, McNabb’s enthusiasm would have rendered Garcia’s comedy trivial.
But by censoring McNabb, Reid only redirected the river of speculation. So once McNabb’s thoughts were limited to his family members spraying damaging blogs, other voices began to peep. Some were underground, saying in printed reports that McNabb has been unhappy. Others -- like Brian Westbrook after a loss to the Saints in the playoffs -- openly, aggressively praised Garcia. Listen: "We have been saying that the whole time Jeff’s been playing that he has brought that fire back and that competitiveness. He is a leader. Everybody has played better since Jeff has gotten in there and that is the true definition of a leader. When the guys can rally around Jeff and play better, you can’t ask for much more."
That quote -- delivered downstairs in the Superdome, minutes after the Eagles season -- did not generate nearly enough attention. Read it again. And believe that it was said out loud, in front of plenty, with purpose.
That’s where it is going -- and where Reid would like it to stop. There is a feeling in the clubhouse -- not a consensus, perhaps not even a plurality, but a feeling -- that the Birds would be fine with Garcia at quarterback. They means they would be fine without a $112,000,000 self-appointed "captain of the ship" with brittle bones and matching emotions. McNabb is still upset that 30 made-for-broadcast plants booed him at the draft. He nearly wept when Terrell Owens said something nice about Brett Favre. His camp even used the word "bittersweet" in connection with Garcia’s success.
Now, this: An attempt at censorship, but resulting turmoil.
How will the Eagles respond? Well, they have had opportunities, beginning with Jeffrey Lurie’s postseason press briefing in the locker room, to guarantee Garcia work. Instead, they punted. Now, Garcia wants to test the free-agent market. Just a guess, but once it is clear that McNabb is healthy, Andy’s Media Army will begin to tout A.J. Feeley as the most capable backup since Harry Truman.
In the meantime, Reid will try to control everything he can. Indeed, it was interesting when Reid responded to questions aboutMcNabb, the head coach sounded uncomfortable with the situation. The resulting headline: "Reid says he and McNabb still getting along well."
Reid says. Reid. Not McNabb. Reid says. And once he does, he expects everyone to accept that as truth and to keep marching.
Problem is, not everybody did on Day One. And a whole lot fewer are stomping that yard, all these unfulfilled promises later.
Jack McCaffery, Times Sports Columnist
01/25/2007
Day One of the Andy Reid Era in Philadelphia, introductory press conference in a downtown ballroom, cameras everywhere, reporters interested, a franchise open to change. And a hint of what was to come. "We all want the same thing here," Reid said, before implying that the press should follow his rules and enjoy the ride to all football glory. In other words, he mistook Philadelphia then as he has mistaken it ever since for Green Bay, and since he never learned otherwise, now he has a crisis.
He has a crisis because he has one quarterback whom he has pummeled into sad timidity, softening him like a well-oiled catcher’s mitt with years of needless protection, ridiculous diversion and relentless control. That would be Donovan McNabb, prone to injury and late-game stomach distress, interceptions at the worst of moments, weird humor and hair-trigger feelings. And the crisis began last week when, in a snapshot of the Reid-McNabb relationship, the head coach ordered the quarterback not to answer legitimate, responsible football questions in a reasonable, conventional setting -- and the quarterback retreated to his room, exactly as ordered, not allowed to say anything at the dinner table.
Reid also has the crisis because he has another quarterback who never submitted to control, generally speaks when he cares to speak and was willing to fly to Burbank, don an Eagles jersey and participate in a slapstick stunt for Jay Leno in which a Giants fan was flattened by a panel truck. That would be Jeff Garcia, prone to NFL survival, strong of personal sense and willing to embrace any football moment.
So where is the problem?
The problem is that once Reid misread his play chart and believed he could throw a blanket of camouflage leaves over the possibility of his worst fear -- a quarterback crisis -- the leaves began to smolder and there was no fire-extinguisher in sight. Having not learned anything since his Day One orders to the press were met with muffled laughs, Reid apparently didn’t learn much, either, in whatever journalism program he may have taken at BYU. He never learned that cover-ups not only don’t work, but encourage deeper digging.
In another situation, in another program, the two-headed quarterback monster would have been transformed by now into a lovable pet. In a 20-minute postseason press conference, ostensibly to provide a medical update concerning his surgically repaired knee, McNabb could have expressed delight at Garcia’s success, thrust his fist to the sky and energized Eagles fans with the promise that he would return better than ever. At the worst, the Eagles would have two fine quarterbacks going forward, both with the same mission -- to put an end to the disgrace that is 0-since-1960. At best, McNabb’s enthusiasm would have rendered Garcia’s comedy trivial.
But by censoring McNabb, Reid only redirected the river of speculation. So once McNabb’s thoughts were limited to his family members spraying damaging blogs, other voices began to peep. Some were underground, saying in printed reports that McNabb has been unhappy. Others -- like Brian Westbrook after a loss to the Saints in the playoffs -- openly, aggressively praised Garcia. Listen: "We have been saying that the whole time Jeff’s been playing that he has brought that fire back and that competitiveness. He is a leader. Everybody has played better since Jeff has gotten in there and that is the true definition of a leader. When the guys can rally around Jeff and play better, you can’t ask for much more."
That quote -- delivered downstairs in the Superdome, minutes after the Eagles season -- did not generate nearly enough attention. Read it again. And believe that it was said out loud, in front of plenty, with purpose.
That’s where it is going -- and where Reid would like it to stop. There is a feeling in the clubhouse -- not a consensus, perhaps not even a plurality, but a feeling -- that the Birds would be fine with Garcia at quarterback. They means they would be fine without a $112,000,000 self-appointed "captain of the ship" with brittle bones and matching emotions. McNabb is still upset that 30 made-for-broadcast plants booed him at the draft. He nearly wept when Terrell Owens said something nice about Brett Favre. His camp even used the word "bittersweet" in connection with Garcia’s success.
Now, this: An attempt at censorship, but resulting turmoil.
How will the Eagles respond? Well, they have had opportunities, beginning with Jeffrey Lurie’s postseason press briefing in the locker room, to guarantee Garcia work. Instead, they punted. Now, Garcia wants to test the free-agent market. Just a guess, but once it is clear that McNabb is healthy, Andy’s Media Army will begin to tout A.J. Feeley as the most capable backup since Harry Truman.
In the meantime, Reid will try to control everything he can. Indeed, it was interesting when Reid responded to questions aboutMcNabb, the head coach sounded uncomfortable with the situation. The resulting headline: "Reid says he and McNabb still getting along well."
Reid says. Reid. Not McNabb. Reid says. And once he does, he expects everyone to accept that as truth and to keep marching.
Problem is, not everybody did on Day One. And a whole lot fewer are stomping that yard, all these unfulfilled promises later.
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