myerstownherald.com

By ERIC FISHER
Andy Reid finally got around to talking about Brian Dawkins on Wednesday.
Remember Dawkins? He’s the perennial all-pro safety who was the heart and soul of the Eagles. He signed a free-agent contract with the Denver Broncos at the end of February.
Remember Reid? He’s the guy who coached Dawkins for the past decade. Other than a statement released through the Eagles, Reid hadn’t discussed Dawkins’ departure with the media until Wednesday at the NFL owners’ meeting.
(Well, Reid discussed Dawkins last week with Dave Spadaro of the Eagles’ Web site, but that doesn’t count as meeting with the media. More on that interview in a few moments.)
One reason for the need for Reid to speak about Dawkins’ departure is that a week before free agency began, Reid said he thought Dawkins would be re-signed that week. One week later, the leader of his team was gone.
Reid explained his silence by saying, “A week (after Dawkins signed with Denver), Joe (Banner) talked about it. I just let it go there. That was enough.”
Wait a second. The team president talks about the negotiations with Dawkins, one of the best players in Eagles history, and the head coach thinks “That was enough?”
You’ve got to hope Reid doesn’t really believe what he’s saying.
Otherwise we’re forced to believe that Reid really believes that Banner’s interview on WIP – an ill-fated interview that did nothing to soften the public relations hit the Eagles took when Dawkins left – was the only public comment this situation merited for nearly a month.
MEDIA BIAS: Nearly a week before Reid spoke to the media at the NFL meetings, the Eagles’ Web site got a “scoop” when intrepid “reporter” Dave Spadaro interviewed Reid.
Reid couldn’t find time to answer questions about Dawkins from legitimate reporters for nearly a month, but he found time to sit down for an interview with an Eagles employee who runs the team’s Web site.
This isn’t intended to be a shot at Spadaro. He does a terrific job with the Web site. But he’s not a reporter.
Because he’s employed by the Eagles, he has an inherent conflict of interest.
The Brian Dawkins issue was a hot topic. The head coach owed it to the media and fans to promptly answer questions from people not employed by the Eagles.
SOFTBALL SEASON: In the spirit of the Reid-Spadaro interview, I’ve heard that Charlie Manuel is going to be interviewed by Chris Wheeler.
What’s next? Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren being interviewed by Flyers broadcaster Steve Coates?
President Obama being interviewed by MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews?
All right, let not get carried away. Spadaro was much tougher on Reid than Olbermann or Matthews would be with Obama.
ON THE REBOUND: The 76ers have been red-hot, winning seven of nine games, since a certain columnist (ahem) classified the team as mediocre. Glad I could help.
The Sixers’ situation reminds me of a sports columnist who declared that the Eagles season was over in November. The Eagles recovered and eventually reached the NFC championship game. An appearance by the Sixers in the NBA Eastern Conference finals would be incredible.
ALL WINS AREN’T CREATED EQUAL: The Flyers registered a pair of huge victories earlier this week. They beat Pittsburgh, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon, then defeated the New Jersey Devils on Monday night, 4-2.
The victories over division rivals who have been difficult obstacles to overcome should provide the Flyers with a psychological boost.
The play of goalie Martin Biron the past few weeks has certainly helped the Flyers’ psyche as well. Biron has rounded into the form he displayed during last year’s playoffs. That’s a great sign for Flyers fans.
PUT UP YOUR DUKES: Unless you’re reading the e-version of the Myerstown Herald, the Villanova-Duke NCAA men’s tournament game will be over by the time you read this column.
I’m picking Villanova in this marquee matchup of the Sweet 16. If you’re reading this Friday, you know whether I was right or wrong.
SPRING FORWARD: Is it really almost time for baseball season? It seems like just last week when millions were pouring onto the streets of Philadelphia to celebrate the Phillies’ World Series title.
Will the Phillies repeat as champions? I’m not sure, but this is a great opportunity for a shameless plug for next week’s special section on the Phillies. Read all about the Phillies in next week’s Myerstown Herald.
NAKED AMBITION: Speaking of the Phillies, shortstop Jimmy Rollins and girlfriend Johari Smith posed for photos last month for Playboy magazine.
Before you get too upset – or excited – the couple wore swimsuits and clothes and were never completely naked.
That still may not excuse Rollins’ actions in the eyes of some of his fans. By the way, the photos are expected to appear in an upcoming issue. (When is the issue coming out? Hey, when Playboy pays me as well as the Herald, I’ll give it a shameless plug as well.)