Merrill Reese on the Eagles

[PhillyGirl]

hehe, can anyone else actually HEAR Merrill's answers in their heads?    Even his INTERVIEWS get me pumped up for the Eagles.

Kevin Mulligan | Merrill on Eagles: 'Best team I've been around'

SCHOOLS ARE about to open, leaves will soon start dropping, and, thankfully, the NFL preseason closes this weekend. With the Eagles-Falcons opener already in view, we tracked down Merrill Reese, the legendary "Voice of the Eagles," and strapped him in the Hot Seat for his preseason insights on the Birds.

GF: You look surprisingly comfortable in the Hot Seat. We'll see what we can do about that. We are making you Andy Reid for the next 2 weeks, starting today. Do you call Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens into your office and host a confidential clear-the-air session before the regular season begins?

Reese: "No. I just leave well enough alone. As long as they do what they did Friday night, I let it alone. Only if I saw an overt problem in their day-to-day dealings, and one that could affect the football team, would I do something. And I haven't seen that. It's just a matter of the two of them being professional and doing their jobs, and that's what they're doing every day as quarterback/receiver.

"Would it be great if they were good friends? Sure. The important thing is their communication on the field, and they both realize that. The timing they acquired last year is still there and will only get better. I've seen it in practice and we saw it on Play 1 last week. As long as that continues, I'd leave them alone and let them do their thing.''

GF: Ok, you're fired as head coach. You're back to being Merrill. Which Bird surprised you the most in camp/preseason?

Reese: "Ryan Moats. Surprising in that you don't see many [running backs] drafted in the third round as electrifying a runner as he is."

GF: Did the Corey Simon release surprise you?

Reese: "Yes, it did. Because I figured he'd come in, sign his [franchise] tender and be a productive player. However, in hindsight, I can understand the release. The defensive line has more depth than anticipated, and I think [No. 1 pick] Mike Patterson's ability to come in and pick up the system faster than most rookies do, and look good doing it, was a big factor. His pass rush isn't there yet, but he looks like a real player."

GF: Is this Eagles team better than, the same as, or not as good as last year's Super Bowl team?

Reese: "Better. It's the best Eagles team I have ever been around."

GF: Despite the number of key players no longer here? Despite the lack of experienced backups? Despite the QB/WR disharmony? Despite the question marks at wide receiver?

Reese: "Best team I've been around. Their young players have really been impressive. Guys like Patterson, Moats, Reggie Brown are going to make a major difference. Plus, don't forget, young guys like Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis, and Sheldon Brown have another year under their belts together, and they're going to be even better."

GF: One final question everyone around town is taking odds on. It's just a matter of time as we see it. How long until the T.O. Circus returns to Broad & Pattison? A couple of weeks? A bad opener? Week 8?

Reese: "Hopefully, not before the Super Bowl."

GF: You were due for a copout. We'll predict the circus is back before the Phillies are eliminated from the playoff race. That is, sometime in September. We 'll save your Eagles and Super Bowl prediction for next week's annual Celebrity Super Bowl/Eagle prediction contest.

[Seabiscuit36]

GF is doing interviews now?

[jeffreyjpa]

GF: You look surprisingly comfortable in the Hot Seat.

GF, what's a hot seat go for these days? It'd be nice to have one for those January playoff games.

PS, Gotta love Merrill.   

[Feva]

Reese: "Ryan Moats. Surprising in that you don't see many [running backs] drafted in the third round as electrifying a runner as he is."

Funny quote... considering that we have 2 of them. 

[MURP]

Best team I've been around. Their young players have really been impressive.

I think that is the big difference this year compared to some previous seasons.   A lot of rookies seem to be able to contribute right away in a big way.  Patterson, Brown, Moats, Spach, Herremans etc.   That really makes the depth sick!

[PhillyPhreak54]

Nonsense, MURP. Our depth was compromised with the release of Corey Simon. We might not survive his loss.

[PhillyGirl]

We got nothing for him! Our FO sucks...SUCKS I say!

[phattymatty]

hehe, can anyone else actually HEAR Merrill's answers in their heads?    Even his INTERVIEWS get me pumped up for the Eagles.

Uh-oh, I agree with you.

[Seabiscuit36]

Nonsense, MURP. Our depth was compromised with the release of Corey Simon. We might not survive his loss.

And the fact that we passed on Warrick and let him go to the best team in the NFC spells the End for the Eagles