Ex-Eagles on Chiefs await return to the Linc

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Anybody looking at the revenge angle for Thursday's game between the Eagles and Kansas City may want to take a U-turn when approaching the locker of Chiefs linebacker Akeem Jordan.

Jordan, who was with the Eagles the previous six seasons before signing with Andy Reid's Chiefs as a free agent, says he isn't interested in getting even.

When asked before practice on Tuesday if Reid has extra incentive to win his first game at Lincoln Financial Field as an opposing head coach after spending the last 14 seasons with the Eagles, Jordan wasn't willing to take the bulletin-board bait.

"I wouldn't say that," Jordan said. "We want to win every game, not just one in particular. This is not the Super Bowl."

Reid has maintained the same stance all week about worrying about the game and nothing else.

"They would probably be happy if I did think about them and got caught up in the emotion instead of thinking of them as a good football team," Reid said. "I won't go there."

At least one former Eagle did.

Quintin Demps, who played his first two NFL seasons with the Eagles, didn't hesitate when asked if the players want to win this game for Reid.

"Yes. The players definitely want to win it for him. Not only just for him but for ourselves as well," Demps said.

Then Demps added a little spice to what had been bland talk from the Chiefs.

"We know he's been there so long, and it would put an extra smile on his face and his family's face to really smash them in the mouth," Demps said. "We just want to win, period."

Both Jordan and Demps credit Reid's presence with them coming to Kansas City. When asked why he signed in Kansas City as a free agent, Jordan said, "I would say Andy. He is a great coach, I have a lot of respect for him and I like playing for him."

Reid has similar admiration for Jordan, who has started both games at inside linebacker and forced a fumble that led to a field goal in Sunday's 17-16 win over the visiting Dallas Cowboys. In addition, Jordan is a key special-teams player.

"He started a number of games for me in Philadelphia and did a nice job for us and has done the same thing here," Reid said. "He is not a flashy personality, flashy football player but goes and gives you an honest day's work every day. But he is a very tough, tough kid."

Demps is also tough, and his road in the NFL has been even tougher. He played for the Eagles in 2008 and 2009.

In 2008, Demps was the Eagles' primary kick returner, averaging 25.3 yards on 52 returns and scoring a touchdown. By 2009 his playing time had lessened and he was cut in training camp in 2010. In December 2010, he joined the Houston Texans, where he played until being released after last season.

While not a starter for Kansas City, he sees time in the nickel defense. In two games, he has four tackles and three passes defended. He returned one kickoff for 25 yards.

Demps sees no irony in playing for the first NFL coach to cut him, saying he grew from the experience.

"It was a tough time, but I wouldn't change it," Demps said. "It kind of made me the man I am, just going through that struggle."

Then sounding like a true veteran, Demps added, "All things happen for a reason, and I am back with him and excited."