Ray Didinger: Eagles Taking A Risk With Pederson Hire
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Football analyst Ray Didinger suggested the Eagles are taking a risk with their latest selection of a head coach in Doug Pederson. Pederson, a former quarterback in the NFL, served as Andy Reid's Offensive Coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs for the last three seasons.
During a discussion with Chris Stigall on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Didinger said that although the Eagles are familiar with Pederson, he does not have a long track record of success.
"I don't know that there's ever been a guy who's been hired as a head coach in the NFL that had a thinner resume. Does that necessarily suggest that he can't succeed? No. But I think it's fair to say that there's not much of a resume there. This is a guy that just a couple of years ago was coaching in high school. This is an enormous leap of faith, really. Even that they know the guy, it's an enormous leap of faith."
He stated that Andy Reid's relationship with Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie played a major role in this decision.
"That was as amicable a parting as you can ever have in football, was the parting there. Andy even said, himself, he felt like it was time to move on. I think that there were no bridges burned in that process, as there normally are. Jeff and Andy have maintained a more than cordial, a very respectful relationship. I think the reason that Doug emerged as the guy very quickly was largely due to the fact that Andy said to Jeff, this guy, he's ready."
Didinger believes the team may also be trying to recapture some of the magic from the Reid era by hiring one of his assistants.
"As far as why the Eagles decided to hire Doug when they did, I think he was always in their thoughts. Now, I'm just trying to, and maybe I'm being unfair in doing this, but I'm trying to read a little bit of Jeff Lurie's mind in this, and there's no doubt, with the way the Chip Kelly thing ended, which it ended very badly, that there's a part of Jeff, I think there's a little Andy regret. I think he's looking back at the Andy Reid years as almost like football comfort food."