McCoy: It's Obvious Some Guys Didn't Buy In
Andy Reid got the word of his dismissal from Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie sometime between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Monday, an Eagles spokesman said, then addressed the team in the NovaCare auditorium at 10 am. At 10:45, there was a staff sendoff for Reid in the cafeteria, where Lurie spoke and gave Reid a special game ball, commemorating his 14 years running the team.
In the locker room after that, as players packed belongings into boxes, many expressed displeasure with the way the team greased the skids for Reid's departure, going 4-12 in a year when everyone knew the Birds needed to contend to save Reid's job.
"No, I don't think so," running back LeSean McCoy said, when asked if he thought players all laid it on the line for Reid. "That's obvious, man .. you've seen the games."
Wideout Jeremy Maclin said Reid was emotional. "It's a sad day," he said.
Maclin talked about changes on the roster, players brought in from other teams who were "used to doing things a differerent type of way" who did not buy into Reid's program.
Maclin said Reid told the players "that he loves us, and that he hopes whoever becomes the new head coach, we accept him and embrace him, buy into what he has to teach us."
Reid remained in his NovaCare office as Lurie's 1 p.m. address to reporters neared. Players said they intended to go up for individual farewells. An Eagles spokesman said Reid is not expected to address reporters Monday.
Obviously, what happened Monday was not unexpected, but defensive end Darryl Tapp said hearing Reid say he was leaving was "a little breathtaking."
Meanwhile, assistant coaches' contracts are set to expire in the coming weeks, but no one else was dismissed Monday, the spokesman said. The new head coach probably will decide if anyone will remain.
The most-mentioned candidate for the Eagles' job is Oregon coach Chip Kelly, whose team plays in the Fiesta Bowl Thursday. Eagles linebacker Casey Matthews played for Kelly at Oregon. Matthews said Monday he thinks Kelly wants to get back to the East Coast. "That's where his family and friends are," Matthews said.
-- Les Bowen