Andy Reid Says Nobody Has Worked Harder Than Michael Vick This Off-Season
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Andy Reid pointed out something specific about the four final teams left standing in the NFL playoffs last year; all had starting quarterbacks that didn't miss a start. He think his often-injured quarterback took notice, and will do something about it.
"Michael's a competitive guy, but I think the thing he learned last year is that he's got to be there," Reid told 94WIP's Howard Eskin in an interview on Saturday morning. "You're the starting quarterback, you've got a to be the starting quarterback. Every game. I think he understands that part. There's nobody, there's absolutely nobody that's worked harder than him this year."
"This guy's driven. He's been here every day. When your quarterback does that, it sets a certain level for your football team. There's a reason everybody's been here, and it starts with that guy. His leadership, his want-to to get better, all the intangible things, he's completely taken control of that, and that's been fun to watch," Reid said.
Though the Eagles missed the playoffs last season, they ended the year with four straight wins after starting with a record of 4-8. "We finished on a positive note. It wasn't good enough, right, it was not good enough," Reid said. "The reality was, the guys got a little taste of how good they can really be. We were able to come back and re-sign the majority of our key players. And now we bring 'em into this off-season. They've all been here. They've all been busting their tail, which fires me up a little bit. There's a certain dedication that you need, and a certain sacrifice you need to be a good football team. If you're going to be any good, you gotta pay the fiddler and be here and do the things you gotta do."
Eskin told Reid that his goal is to do sideline reports at the Super Bowl. "I would love to have a little fur at the sideline for the Super Bowl," Reid said. Since it's in a dome, he told Eskin he doesn't need his entire winter wardrobe. "Go with the coat, forget the earmuffs."