Yesterday Reid walked from the podium of his weekly press conference as a voice in the back tried to slip in a question about his most recent troubles - the news that his son, Garrett, did not show up for a scheduled drug test, violated his parole, and found himself, like his brother, back in jail.
Whether Reid did not hear, or chose not to answer is irrelevant: The rules of engagement on these Wednesdays have been made clear. The coach will discuss his team only. Regardless of recurring circumstances, Andy Reid - the father - will not take questions from reporters.
Attorneys for Garrett Reid have argued that the 24-year-old, whose parole conditions also prohibit him from driving, could not find a ride to his test, that he was a victim of "a miscommunication." Your first thought was skepticism. Your second was to ponder how the head coach of your favorite football team would handle such an excuse. Wasn't Brodrick Bunkley disciplined for missing a plane just last season?
The next thought brought you back to that comment about Lurie. From the early lean seasons, through those NFC Championship failures, to this current, volatile period, Lurie has been steadfast in his support of the coach he replaced Ray Rhodes with nine seasons ago. Even amid the bleak 6-10 season of 2005, his and team president Joe Banner's public proclamations never wavered from the position that Reid was in the NFL's elite tier of coaches, capable of building and coaching a Super Bowl championship team.
And for a long time, it seemed self-evident. The Eagles were an ascending team, with a quarterback - and a head coach - who would only improve with experience. Each would learn from his mistakes.
