What if Ron Wolf had hired Andy Reid as Packers head coach?
Posted by Mike Vandermause September 8th, 2010, 12:19 pm
Former Packers General Manager Ron Wolf said one of his biggest regrets was not hiring Andy Reid as the head coach to follow Mike Holmgren in 1999. Wolf instead chose Ray Rhodes, and Reid was hired by the Eagles just days later.
Rhodes lasted one season in Green Bay before getting fired, while Reid is still going strong in Philadelphia.
Reid was asked during a conference call with Wisconsin reporters this morning if he ever wonders what it would have been like to follow in Holmgrens footsteps as the Packers head coach.
Listen thats a tough job, man, said Reid. Mike Holmgren, when they start naming streets after you, those guys are tough to take over for. But I love Green Bay, and those were phenomenal years there. The people in Green Bay and in the organization, unbelievable. Just phenomenal, phenomenal people, so my experience there was great. But I havent gone back and thought about that, but I can tell you that every brat that was offered me, I ate.
Reid spoke on a variety of topics regarding the upcoming Packers-Eagles game. Heres a partial transcript, thanks to Rob Demovsky.
On QB Kevin Kolb: You know what, hes done a nice job. We had a little bit of a chance to see him last year and he did a nice job there in his couple starts. Hes continued to improve as training camps gone on and minicamps and everything else.
On decision to go with Kolb over Donovan McNabb: Well, you know I didnt let Donovan play much his first year, so I kinda went this route. Doug Pederson was the guy the first year for most of the season and then Don came in and started a couple of games, he was hurt one of them, so he really started one game and finished up the next year as the starter. I think thats a good thing, a little bit of a grace period if you can afford to do that, I think thats a good thing. It just depends on who else you have there to play the position.
On Aaron Rodgers: Aarons turned into one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League.
On the Eagles and Packers receivers: Well weve got a couple of guys that are pretty good players, they get out there and they try hard and they can run OK and catch OK. Ill tell you Green Bays got a few of them, some pretty good ones, too. I know (defensive coordinator) Sean McDermotts talked to me about them, and theyve got some explosive guys there.
On the Packers cornerbacks besides Charles Woodson: I think theyre very good, I think Ted (Thompson) has put together a phenomenal group, I mean look at what hes done building that program up. Ive always had a lot of respect for Ted, and this even makes it greater. Mike (McCarthy), I know Mikes an offensive guy, but Mike puts people in the right position to allow these players to make plays, and thats what the guys are doing for him.
On whether he would target Sam Shields, an undrafted rookie who will likely play as the nickel cornerback: Im going to look at that now that you told me.
On how long he plans to coach: I dont know. I really havent gone there yet. Ive got a great situation here from the owner on down. Im enjoying it. Ive got the energy. As long as I can keep playing against great teams like Green Bay Im good. Man it energizes you. Its a neat deal, and I havent lost that zip for that yet.
On whether Kolb needs a fast start to keep the crazy Eagles fans off his back: Listen, I think its more how you finish than how you start, but I think if you ask Kevin the same question, hed love to get off to a fast start. I think every quarterback would like to do that, but on the other hand, that you finish strong is important.
On Packers tight end Jermichael Finley: I think hes very talented, and I think hes got a great connection with his quarterback and that to me is how you know how good this kid is. When youve got a great quarterback that trusts you and utilizes you as a go-to guy, and the coaches trust you to move you all around to flex you out and keep you tight, whereever they put him that quarterback finds him. That tells me the guy is pretty good, and hes got great production and numbers. I would tell you hes a very very good player.
"GreenBayPressGazzette" wrote: