Merrill Reese: 'Never Has There Been This Much Intrigue'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Merrill Reese is entering his 38th season as the voice of the Philadelphia Eagles. Reese, 72, was asked by Angelo Cataldi if he ever remembers this much intrigue surrounding the Eagles' draft.
"Never," The Philadelphia native and Temple graduate told the 94WIP Morning Show on Tuesday. "Because I don't think any of us really have an idea of what's going on. We hear players' names, we know that they're interested in this guy, they're high on this guy and then there's the Mariota factor. But never has there been this much intrigue."
Listen: Merrill Reese on the 94WIP Morning Show
The Eagles own the 20th pick in Thursday's night first round of the NFL draft, but will Chip Kelly---in his first draft with full personnel control---actually stay put and pick at No. 20?
"I think that would be surprising," Reese said of the Eagles staying at No. 20. "I think the greatest shock would be is if he [Kelly] moved back, I don't think that's happening at all. I think if he stays at No. 20, it's because he almost has to, that there's no reason to move forward after a certain point. But I don't see him moving back. I see him, if anything, moving forward."
Of course, the buzz word across the Delaware Valley the past few months has been Marcus Mariota. While Kelly has already tampered with the QB position---flipping Nick Foles for Sam Bradford, re-signing Mark Sanchez, and acquiring Tim Tebow---many think the allure of Mariota in his offense is irresistible.
Reese says, not so fast (sort of).
"If you listen to Chip and to the people who work with Chip, he loves Bradford," Reese said of Kelly. "He thinks that Bradford has an upside that is as good as any quarterback that has come out in years and that he feels that he will be healthy and will win for this team. He can be a Super Bowl winning quarterback, that's what I hear.
But again, we also know what he thinks of Mariota."