Reid said he will call the offense for the Chiefs instead of new offensive coordinator Doug Pederson. He credited Pederson, who was the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach for Reid in Philadelphia, for being “a sharp kid.”

“Doug is a good student. I’ve watched his leadership on the field. I’ve watched his ability to teach. I’ve watched the respect the players have for him. All of those things checked out. He’s a creative guy. He knows this offense like the back of his hand. He knows protections, he knows situational calls,” Reid said, according to the Kansas City Star.

Meanwhile, there was speculation Reid might switch the Chiefs to the 4-3 defensive front that he mainly employed as coach of the Eagles. However, he said he hired new defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, who was the Jets’ linebackers coach, with the 3-4 in mind.

“There’s been time invested in the 3-4 here,” Reid said, according to the newspaper. “The 3-4 gives you some flexibility. I’ve run both (defensive systems). I’ve been involved in both so I understand how they were. The 4-3 is good if you have the right coaches in place and the team is invested in it. But this team here is invested in the 3-4, so let’s continue to build it and get better at it.”

Reid said Sutton “knows the 3-4 and he knows it well,” according to the newspaper.

Reid also confirmed an ESPN report that former Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano was interviewed to become the Chiefs’ offensive line coach.

He said Sparano’s interview “went well.”

The Chiefs also hired Bears assistant Dave Toub to direct special teams on Tuesday, and announced that he’s retaining linebackers coach Gary Gibbs and defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas from the previous staff.

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Billick, who coached the Baltimore Ravens for nine years and led the franchise to its only Super Bowl championship, interviewed with the Eagles last Monday, according to sources.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, general manager Howie Roseman and president Don Smolenski already have interviewed eight candidates since firing Andy Reid on Dec. 31, one day after the team completed a 4-12 season.

Billick hasn’t coached in the NFL since 2007, when the Ravens went 5-11 for their second losing season in three years.

The 58-year-old Billick compiled an 80-64 record in Baltimore, guiding the Ravens to four postseason appearances. He won a championship in just his second season, as the Ravens routed the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV following the 2000 campaign.

The Eagles also will interview Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden on Monday and Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians on Tuesday.

This is the third time Lurie is hiring a new coach since he bought the team from Norman Braman in 1994. He hired Ray Rhodes on Feb. 2, 1995, after a long, exhaustive search that included a flirtation with former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil. Lurie needed less time to hire Reid, giving him the job on Jan. 11, 1999.

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Bradley is helping the Seahawks prep for their playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He’s been the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator since 2009, and the team’s defense allowed a league-low 15.3 points per game this season.

If Bradley is their guy, the Eagles can’t officially hire him until the Seahawks are eliminated from the playoffs.

The 46-year-old Bradley has emerged as a favorite among fans in Philadelphia based mainly on an old video clip in which he goes off on the Seahawks’ defense during a game.

“Well, it’s flattering. And I know people talk about our entire focus is on Atlanta and it really is,” Bradley said after Thursday’s practice. “It’s so important to us. We worked so hard to get to this point and our whole message to the team is to keep raising the bar and getting better and better every week. They’re talking that and we’re talking that, so it’s easy to stay focused on it. It’s flattering as you’ve all heard before. But our entire focus is on Atlanta and trying to get one step closer.”

Bradley began his NFL coaching career with Tampa Bay as a defensive quality control coach in 2006. He was the Buccaneers’ linebackers coach the next two seasons before going to Seattle. Bradley coached in college from 1990-2005, including two stints at North Dakota State and four years at Fort Lewis College.

“He’s got a brilliant football mind,” Seahawks coach Peter Carroll said this week. “He’s got a way of reaching people and touching people and getting the best out of them, coaches and players alike. He’s got everything that you’re looking for.”

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, general manager Howie Roseman and president Don Smolenski already have interviewed seven candidates since firing Andy Reid on Dec. 31, one day after the team completed a 4-12 season.

One of those interviewed, Brian Kelly, announced Saturday that he was staying at Notre Dame.

The Eagles also will interview Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden on Monday and Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians on Tuesday.

This is the third time owner Lurie is hiring a new coach since he bought the team from Norman Braman in 1994. He hired Ray Rhodes on Feb. 2, 1995, after a long, exhaustive search that included a flirtation with former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil. Lurie needed less time to hire Reid, giving him the job on Jan. 11, 1999.

The post Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley interviews with Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday appeared first on IdealCapper.

Bradley is helping the Seahawks prep for their playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He’s been the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator since 2009, and the team’s defense allowed a league-low 15.3 points per game this season.

If Bradley is their guy, the Eagles can’t officially hire him until the Seahawks are eliminated from the playoffs.

The 46-year-old Bradley has emerged as a favorite among fans in Philadelphia based mainly on an old video clip in which he goes off on the Seahawks’ defense during a game.

“Well, it’s flattering. And I know people talk about our entire focus is on Atlanta and it really is,” Bradley said after Thursday’s practice. “It’s so important to us. We worked so hard to get to this point and our whole message to the team is to keep raising the bar and getting better and better every week. They’re talking that and we’re talking that, so it’s easy to stay focused on it. It’s flattering as you’ve all heard before. But our entire focus is on Atlanta and trying to get one step closer.”

Bradley began his NFL coaching career with Tampa Bay as a defensive quality control coach in 2006. He was the Buccaneers’ linebackers coach the next two seasons before going to Seattle. Bradley coached in college from 1990-2005, including two stints at North Dakota State and four years at Fort Lewis College.

“He’s got a brilliant football mind,” Seahawks coach Peter Carroll said this week. “He’s got a way of reaching people and touching people and getting the best out of them, coaches and players alike. He’s got everything that you’re looking for.”

Owner Jeffrey Lurie, general manager Howie Roseman and president Don Smolenski already have interviewed seven candidates since firing Andy Reid on Dec. 31, one day after the team completed a 4-12 season.

The Eagles also will interview Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden on Monday and Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians on Tuesday.

This is the third time owner Lurie is hiring a new coach since he bought the team from Norman Braman in 1994. He hired Ray Rhodes on Feb. 2, 1995, after a long, exhaustive search that included a flirtation with former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil. Lurie needed less time to hire Reid, giving him the job on Jan. 11, 1999.

The post Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to interview with Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday appeared first on IdealCapper.

The length of the deal is five years, sources told the Associated Press. A news conference to introduce Reid is scheduled for Monday.

The deal reportedly will give the longtime Eagles coach broad authority over football decisions. His deal came hours after the Chiefs announced they had parted with general manager Scott Pioli after four tumultuous seasons.

The Chiefs held a meeting with the coaching staff on Friday morning, presumably to talk about Kansas City’s job search and ongoing talks with Reid, according to sources.

Reid spent 1999-2012 as Philadelphia’s coach, leading the Eagles to the playoffs nine times during that period. He won 130 regular-season games and 10 playoff games. The Chiefs, meanwhile, had 98 wins, three postseason appearances and no postseason wins under five different head coaches, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

“I’m definitely excited. You don’t accidentally win 100 games over 10 years in this league. Obviously, the guy knows how to coach and win. It’s definitely something we need,” Chiefs offensive lineman Eric Winston said on “SVP & Russillo” on ESPN Radio.

Reid will inherit a team that went 2-14, matching the worst record in franchise history. But he’ll also have the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, and with five players voted to the Pro Bowl, Kansas City has building blocks in place to make a quick turnaround.

Reid has experience turning around franchises, too.

He took over a team in Philadelphia that was just 3-13, but two years later went 11-5 and finished second in the NFC East. That began a stretch of five straight years in which Reid won at least 11 games and included a trip to the Super Bowl after the 2004 season.

“Congratulations to Clark Hunt and the Kansas City Chiefs for hiring a good man and a good coach,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said Friday night. “We wish Andy, (wife) Tammy and their entire family all the best in their new home.”

The fresh start afforded by the Chiefs should be welcomed by Reid.

Despite a 130-93-1 record and the most wins in Eagles history, he was just 12-20 in the past two seasons. Reid also dealt with personal tragedy when his oldest son, Garrett, died during training camp after a long battle with drug addiction.

Reid will have more authority in Kansas City than any previous coach. While he will have authority in personnel decisions, it’s expected that he will pursue longtime Packers personnel man John Dorsey to work with him as general manager.

“Congrats Big Red on taking your talents to KC. Big Red fans get ready to cheer on your new boss and new team from 2013 and on. Good Luck,” tweeted former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Pioli, 47, joined the Chiefs in 2009 after nine seasons with the Patriots, where he helped to build New England’s dynasty. But he failed to turn around the Chiefs, who were 23-39 in his four seasons, including a woeful 2012 campaign under Romeo Crennel, who was hired to replace Todd Haley during the 2011 season. Crennel was fired Monday.

“I would like to thank Norma, Clark and the Hunt family for the opportunity that they gave me four years ago,” Pioli said. “I’d also like to thank the players, coaches, scouts and countless other employees, throughout the organization and at Arrowhead Stadium that have worked so hard during my time here. I would also like to genuinely thank Chiefs fans.

“The bottom line is that I did not accomplish all of what I set out to do. To the Hunt family — to the great fans of the Kansas City Chiefs — to the players, all employees and alumni, I truly apologize for not getting the job done.”

The Chiefs’ season was marred by a tragic murder-suicide — linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, and then took his own life in the parking lot of Arrowhead Stadium after thanking Pioli and former coach Romeo Crennel for everything they had done for him.

One of Pioli’s first significant moves in 2009 was trading for quarterback Matt Cassel, who’d been impressive as a fill-in for injured Patriots starter Tom Brady. Pioli proceeded to sign Cassel to a six-year, $63 million deal. Cassel didn’t live up to his contract in Kansas City, however, and lost his starting job to Brady Quinn in 2012.

“After several productive conversations, we made the difficult decision to part ways with Scott Pioli and allow him to pursue other opportunities,” Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement. “Scott has been an invaluable member of the Chiefs family since joining us in 2009, and we sincerely appreciate his tremendous contributions over the last four years.

“I know that this was a difficult decision for Scott as well. He has a great deal of appreciation for the history of this franchise, for our players, coaches and employees, and especially our great fans.”

The Chiefs haven’t won a playoff game since 1993. This season was Kansas City’s fifth losing season in six years.

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There will be no repeat championship for the Giants, not even a playoff berth. A 9-7 season wasn’t good enough this time around.

The Giants saw their playoff hopes end Sunday, minutes after a 42-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles when Chicago beat Detroit 26-24.

“It happens that way,” Tuck said after the Giants rebounded from two bad losses and routed the Eagles in what might have been Andy Reid’s final game at coach. “I’ve been 10-6 and not made the playoffs. You’ve got to win the ones you’re supposed to. That’s why the division games mean so much. If we’d won the division games, we’d still be in the driver’s seat.”

Instead, they are headed home early.

“We are certainly disappointed we are not in the playoffs,” coach Tom Coughlin said after New York missed the postseason for the third time in four years. “Our goal was certainly to be there. Our goal was to win the division. We didn’t do that either. We won nine games and there is no way anyone can talk us out of that. We do have the nine wins, but it’s not good enough.”

A year ago it was. The Giants won their last two games in 2011 to get into the playoffs, and finished the season with six straight wins in earning their second NFL title in five seasons.

This marks the seventh straight season the Super Bowl champion has failed to win a playoff game the following year.

A little more than an hour after Reid finished his worst season with the Eagles (4-12), three people familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that his 14-year tenure as Philadelphia’s coach was over.

Reid and team owner Jeffrey Lurie are scheduled to meet Monday, and a team official insisted to ESPN that Reid has yet to be informed that he will be fired.

Another Eagles source told ESPN that Lurie and Reid met Friday, but the Eagles’ owner did not inform him at that time that he would be let go.

Reid is due to make $6 million in 2013 in the final year of his contract. He said he wants to coach next year, but it’s possible Lurie could persuade him to take a season off and perhaps help out in the front office in an “advisory” role.

Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko denied several reports that Lurie had already fired Reid, saying they were “absolutely, 100 percent” untrue.

“I’ve been doing it a long time. I have respect for Jeff Lurie. I go in eyes wide open,” Reid said. “Either way, I understand. Whatever he chooses will be the right thing. He always does things for the best interests of the Eagles.”

Eli Manning did his part to keep the Giants in the chase with a career-best five touchdown passes. Fans who stuck around were chanting “Let’s Go Lions” as the final moments ticked off in the Chicago-Detroit game.

“It hurts,” said Manning, who finished 13 of 21 for 208 yards and no interceptions. “Each year you want to make the playoffs to give yourself an opportunity to win a championship; 9-7 last year was good enough. It wasn’t good enough this year and we knew it wouldn’t be.”

After going 6-2, they lost five of eight, including two games by a combined 67-14 to playoff-bound Atlanta and Baltimore.

“The first thing is you don’t ever rely on anybody else in this business,” said Coughlin. “You’ve got to take care of your own business. We certainly had our chances. That will be the No. 1 thing I’ll talk to the team about.”

Manning woke up the offense with touchdown passes of 3 and 38 yards to rookie Rueben Randle, a 15-yarder to David Wilson and a 24-yarder to Victor Cruz just before halftime for a 35-7 lead. He’s the first Giant to throw five TD passes in a game since Phil Simms in 1980. His fifth score was a 1-yard pass to fullback Henry Hynoski in the fourth quarter.

Ahmad Bradshaw, who rushed for 107 yards and passed the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career, also scored on a 1-yard run.

Starting for the first time since a concussion against Dallas in early November, Michael Vick threw a 7-yard touchdown to Jeremy Maclin. Vick finished 19 of 35 for 197 yards and one interception before being replaced by Trent Edwards.

The Eagles had hoped to send Reid out on a positive note, but they played poorly.

“We came, we stunk it up and we lost,” defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said. “It was terrible. No heart.”

Vick, replacing injured rookie Nick Foles, was also reluctant to discuss his future, but he felt for Reid, who gave him a second chance after he got out of prison.

“He’s a great man and I love him to death,” Vick said. “I wish I could’ve done more. A lot of players wish they could’ve done more. Coaches can’t play the games.”

The Eagles surprised the Giants on a cold and windy day with an onside kick to open the game. However, turnovers have hurt the Eagles all season, and it happened again when Stevie Brown came up with his eighth interception.

Manning needed four plays, finding Randle over the middle for his second touchdown of his rookie season. His third came on the following series when New York went 74 yards in five plays.

The third touchdown was another pass to a rookie, with Wilson catching a 15-yarder, then doing his usual back flip to celebrate.

Game notes

About 400 residents of Newtown, Conn., attended the New York Giants-Philadelphia Eagles game Sunday. Among them were a few families who lost children in the massacre this month, the Giants said. One was the family of Jack Pinto, the 6-year-old boy buried in a No. 80 jersey of Giants receiver Victor Cruz. … Bradshaw finished with 1,015 yards rushing. …Manning fell 52 yards shy of his fourth straight 4,000 yard passing season. …Brown’s 48-yard return gave him 307 yards in interception returns this season, extending his Giants’ single-season record. … Eagles safety Colt Anderson led them with 10 tackles.

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