OG Welbourn Dealt To KC
The reason why John Welbourn is now a Chief was written all over the facial expression of head coach Andy Reid during a press conference that followed the deal that sent the offensive guard to Kansas City in exchange for a couple of draft picks Sunday afternoon.
Stern-faced and obviously displeased, the Eagles head coach came as close to ripping a player as he has during his five years in Philadelphia.
"I'm disappointed," Reid said, when asked if the Welbourn situation made him more angry than he ever had been during his tenure with the Eagles.
One could almost see Reid biting his tongue. The head coach, notorious for running a tight ship, was obviously furious with the way Welbourn handled his quest for a new contract. Though the veteran signed a contract extension in the summer of 2001, he went public with his dissatisfaction last week. On sports talk radio, he not only blasted the Eagles for not negotiating with him, but also accused them of running the team into the ground in recent years.
Though one might point to the team's three straight NFC Championship berths and offseason signings of Jevon Kearse and Terrell Owens as evidence to the contrary, Welbourn nevertheless seemed convinced that the Eagles' ship was sinking.
"It's a puzzle that is missing a couple of pieces," said Reid, who added that the situation caught him "completely by surprise."
Reid made sure to establish that Welbourn did not force the Eagles' hand, portraying the trade more as a punishment than as a concession.
"Jon said some things he shouldn't have said," said Reid. "Obviously, the organization has the choice to keep John until the last day before the regular season.
"He wasn't happy here. When all is said and done, I think the organization still has the upper hand."
The most interesting part of the press conference came by way of something Reid did not say.
At one point, the head coach said that there were "a couple of things that hurt (Welbourn's) trade value that people around the league were aware of."
When asked what those things were, Reid said, "I'm not going to get into that, but there are some things."
The head coach said he never felt pressured to trade Welbourn.
The Eagles acquired a fifth-round pick from the Chiefs in this year's draft and used it to select Thomas Tapeh, a running back out of Minnesota. The deal also included a pick next year from the Chiefs. For now, the pick is a fourth-rounder, but it will become a third-rounder if Welbourn plays 50 percent of his snaps.
Reid did not say Welbourn's newly-vacated spot at left guard will be open for competition. Artis Hicks, who recently signed a contract extension, and Shawn Andrews, whom the Eagles selected with their No. 1 pick, will probably be the top two candidates.
MCNABB TO OWENS
A WINNING COMBINATION !!!!
The reason why John Welbourn is now a Chief was written all over the facial expression of head coach Andy Reid during a press conference that followed the deal that sent the offensive guard to Kansas City in exchange for a couple of draft picks Sunday afternoon.
Stern-faced and obviously displeased, the Eagles head coach came as close to ripping a player as he has during his five years in Philadelphia.
"I'm disappointed," Reid said, when asked if the Welbourn situation made him more angry than he ever had been during his tenure with the Eagles.
One could almost see Reid biting his tongue. The head coach, notorious for running a tight ship, was obviously furious with the way Welbourn handled his quest for a new contract. Though the veteran signed a contract extension in the summer of 2001, he went public with his dissatisfaction last week. On sports talk radio, he not only blasted the Eagles for not negotiating with him, but also accused them of running the team into the ground in recent years.
Though one might point to the team's three straight NFC Championship berths and offseason signings of Jevon Kearse and Terrell Owens as evidence to the contrary, Welbourn nevertheless seemed convinced that the Eagles' ship was sinking.
"It's a puzzle that is missing a couple of pieces," said Reid, who added that the situation caught him "completely by surprise."
Reid made sure to establish that Welbourn did not force the Eagles' hand, portraying the trade more as a punishment than as a concession.
"Jon said some things he shouldn't have said," said Reid. "Obviously, the organization has the choice to keep John until the last day before the regular season.
"He wasn't happy here. When all is said and done, I think the organization still has the upper hand."
The most interesting part of the press conference came by way of something Reid did not say.
At one point, the head coach said that there were "a couple of things that hurt (Welbourn's) trade value that people around the league were aware of."
When asked what those things were, Reid said, "I'm not going to get into that, but there are some things."
The head coach said he never felt pressured to trade Welbourn.
The Eagles acquired a fifth-round pick from the Chiefs in this year's draft and used it to select Thomas Tapeh, a running back out of Minnesota. The deal also included a pick next year from the Chiefs. For now, the pick is a fourth-rounder, but it will become a third-rounder if Welbourn plays 50 percent of his snaps.
Reid did not say Welbourn's newly-vacated spot at left guard will be open for competition. Artis Hicks, who recently signed a contract extension, and Shawn Andrews, whom the Eagles selected with their No. 1 pick, will probably be the top two candidates.
MCNABB TO OWENS
A WINNING COMBINATION !!!!
