Lurie: Reid and McNabb will be back
Speaking to the Boston Globe this week(because apparently there are no papers in Philly that would be interested) Eagles owner Jeff Lurie basically put to rest any speculation as to the future of Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia.
Said Lurie, "Donovan has had a very good year, but it also has had its ups and downs. You have to know, in this sport, especially at the quarterback position, you're going to have your ups and downs. Hopefully the ups are predominant, and he's proven with him at quarterback, you have a very good chance of winning and winning big."
Lurie added that the Eagles have "every intention of having him back" and that "he's been great to work with." McNabb's contract runs through the 2010 season, and calls for him to earn $9.2 million in 2009 base salary and $10 million in 2010.
Lurie also quashed any speculation about the future of Andy Reid.
"With Andy's leadership, we were in four straight NFC championship games and a Super Bowl," Lurie explained, when asked why he's resisted some external pressure to consider a change. "We haven't won a championship, but the quality of coaching and the quality of the performance of the team has been at a very high level.
"I think if you know you have really good coaching, you want to surround it the best possible way. That's more where we're at - try to keep improving the team, try to maximize all our resources, and think strategically. It's not about making the coach the target of frustration."
So there you have it... I think Lurie was pretty clear and didn't leave a whole lot for interpretation. It seems like the McNabb/Reid combo will be back for an 11th season together. Thoughts?
Comments
Ugh, with an asterisk
Not surprising. Not pleasing, either, considering the team’s up-and-down play this year (or, honestly, since the Super Bowl) and the importance of the coming draft. Let’s face it, AR’s second round picks largely suck, and this year, the Birds have the equivalent of three second round choices. So bottom line, we’re looking at more of the same next year after losing at least one current cog (Thomas, Runyan, Dawkins) for “age” concerns.
Yeah, that’s the gold standard. Right. More like “stay the course”. And we all know how that worked out.
by HoosierPop on
Jan 4, 2009 1:44 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Well, it’s gotten them to the postseason 2 out of the last 3 years and what? 7 out of ten years that Andy has been here?
As far as second round picks… Andy made maybe the best second round pick of his career this past year. So that’s reason for optimism.
by JasonB on
Jan 4, 2009 1:51 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
We haven't missed on a first round pick in a LONG time
And we’ll have two or we can move up and could get some someone special. Reid likes to move around in the draft if he has to.
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
by Joe_D on
Jan 4, 2009 1:53 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Yup
DeSean Jackson is terrible! Stewart Bradley? Bust. Trent Cole? Bust Bust Bust!
We’re a pretty good draft team since the Reid era. 7 playoff apperances out of the past 10 years. Shit, if thats more of the same what the heck else do u want? lol
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
by Joe_D on
Jan 4, 2009 1:52 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Wow
It’s really annoying that he didn’t make this comment to the Inquirer (does anyone else think he’d rather own the Patriots than the Eagles?) but I’m really happy. Thank God Donovan will be back and while I’m not sure about Andy, I’m willing to give him a chance to change…
by ajay on
Jan 4, 2009 1:54 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Part of me think it was a dig at the local media. Rightly or wrongly, they’ve hammered the Eagles all year.
by JasonB on
Jan 4, 2009 2:34 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
In response....
Bradley was a third round, Cole was fifth. Notable second round picks by Reid (in defense of my specific statement): Justice, Kolb, Reggie Brown, Matt McCoy, LJ Smith, Quintin Caver, Todd Pinkston, Bobbie Williams, Barry Gardner. Yeah. Winners. Day one studs. sigh
True, DJ was a steal this year. But who here thinks he was drafted to play WR primarily? Honestly?
by HoosierPop on
Jan 4, 2009 2:02 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Who cares what he was drafted to do?
Yeah they expected him to work primarily on ST, but he is a WR. They expected him to become a good one. He’s ahead of schedule, and has a bright future.
by ajay on
Jan 4, 2009 2:05 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
"expected him to work primarily on ST"
This year, I mean.
by ajay on
Jan 4, 2009 2:06 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I absolutely think DJ was drafted to play WR primarily. Probably not so soon, but there’s no way they’d pick him that high if they didn’t expect him to eventually develop into a good WR.
They clearly said on draft day they picked him to be a WR.
by JasonB on
Jan 4, 2009 2:43 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
exactly
who spends a 2nd rounder on just a punt returner? We used a 5th on Bloom thats probably the highet we would go on a pure S/Ter.
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
by Joe_D on
Jan 4, 2009 3:01 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Yeah, I highly doubt they ever expected him to make this big of an impact at WR so soon… but I absolutely believe they felt he eventually could be this type of player.
by JasonB on
Jan 4, 2009 3:06 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
As for what I want
What any fan wants. A Superbowl win. Period. And since their last appearance there, this team is overall less than a .500 club. So wave playoff appearances around all you want. No ring? Playoff trip made largely on life support and other teams’ mistakes? A tie? Swept by the Skins? Yes, I want more than that.
“lol”
by HoosierPop on
Jan 4, 2009 2:05 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
It’s not a less than .500 club since the superbowl. It’s an above .500 club since then.
And who cares how they made the playoffs this year. If they went on to win the superbowl, no one will care. The regular season is about getting to the postseason. Then, it becomes about trying to win the superbowl. Only 11 other teams including us have a shot at that.
by JasonB on
Jan 4, 2009 2:41 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Steelers fans certainly don’t mind that their team snuck into the playoffs as a 6th seed the year they won it all. The book on this season is still not finished. How it ends will certainly color how we look back on it.
by JasonB on
Jan 4, 2009 2:45 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
or the giants
who barely slipped in last year.
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
by Joe_D on
Jan 4, 2009 3:02 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Hmm
Does anyone think that the precarious nature of Reid’s job this year, a la Tom Coughlin in late 2006/early 2007, can lead to the types of changes that might help this franchise also win a Super Bowl?
by ajay on
Jan 4, 2009 2:07 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
great comment
specific changes I think would improve the team:
1. More power for The GM relative to Reid.
2. Marty as permanent playcaller
3. Go out and get the best available (or unavailable) lead scout as soon as possible
4. Give me season tickets. Hey, couldn’t hurt.
by OTP on
Jan 4, 2009 4:45 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I’m thinking more like this may be that year. I’m not aware of any asshats that need to bu dumped. Just a shitty TE.
by BMY on
Jan 4, 2009 2:47 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
















