Andy Reid paid a visit to the 610-WIP morning show and talked about numerous issues concerning his family and the Eagles football team. He said this was a tough off season for him
because of the issues which arose from his son's legal problems. Andy said he wanted to take the some time to spend with all of his children after the legal problems happened. Reid said he wanted to address the defense when the off-season started. The Big Fella said they had to go out and get a wide receiver, Kevin Curtis because they lost Donte Stallworth. He said they'll have to wait and see if Curtis can fill Stallworth's shoes.
Andy says he knew Jeff Garcia was going to make a lot more money somewhere else in the upcoming season, as the Eagles were heading to the playoffs a year ago. Reid admitted that he knew then that they wouldn't be able to pay him. Once they were pretty sure Garcia was headed elsewhere, they focused on securing the services of A.J. Feeley. Reid said the most important thing at quarterback was that they have McNabb returning at full strength.
Andy said they plan on continuing to run the football. He said they feel very good about their running game with the addition of Tony Hunt to a running back group of Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter. Andy also said they feel very good about their offensive line.
Reid said he picked rookie quarterback Kevin Kolb because he wanted to have a backup player who he thought he could win with. Reid said the kid stood out because he's a very good leader who has good arm strength, who can come in here and learn from McNabb who is one of the best in the business. Reid also said McNabb has no reason to be concerned about Kolb because number 5 will be the starter as long as he's healthy.
When questioned about the defensive line and run defense, Andy says Bunkley is a year older and is having a good off season. Personally I don't buy all of that "having a good off season" stuff. Andy said they added Ian Scott and Monte Reagor at the defensive tackle spot and believes it will help the defense control the opposing running game.
At linebacker Andy talked about the Eagles acquiring Takeo Spikes and feel he will be a major upgrade at the WILL linebacker position from a year ago. Reid says they wanted to get bigger at the SAM linebacker position and that's why they drafted Chris Gocong. At middle linebacker he said Jeremiah Trotter knows what he needs to do to get ready for the upcoming season. Omar Gaither will play a lot this year.
Reid says he doesn't think the relationship between the Eagles and McNabb has changed because they drafted his possible replacement.
Reid said he tries to have players backing up at each positions which he thinks he can win with. That's one of the reasons they drafted Kevin Kolb because he thinks they can win with him.
