Andy Reid Talks John Dorsey, Free Agency, And DeSean Jackson

Mar 25, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid speaks to reporters at the NFL Annual Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Reid met with the media today at the NFL owners’ meeting and spoke about a host of different things. (Note: Reid still enjoys reading newspapers.) Some of the key things he talked about included how he and John Dorsey work together and some thoughts on DeSean Jackson. Let’s take a look at what Reid had to say.

What is your working relationship with John Dorsey?

"“It’s been great. John and I had a history before, and I love his approach. He came in, and I thought he brought the whole organization together with his personality. He’s a tough guy. We all know that. But yet, he’s got this personality where he just includes everybody. Everybody is a part of it. He makes everybody feel a part.”"

Do you like having less on your plate now that you have Dorsey as the GM?

"“I love it. For where I’m at in my career, I love it. I loved doing what I did in Philly. But I just wanted to get back into coaching. I hadn’t done much of that for a few years and that’s why I got into the business. It was great to get back in and dive in and be able to be in the offensive meetings, the install meetings, call the plays and all that stuff.”"

How difficult is it to make free agency work long term for a team?

"“Listen, I’m not a huge free agency guy. I don’t think you build a team that way. I think you build it through a draft. There are so many elements that go into a player actually fitting into your program and being successful, that if you get them right when they’re peaking in that system and then you disrupt that and move them on to another system, that can be tough. So, the percentage has dropped, the success rate has dropped. I think you spot a guy here or there. Then you have the other element that it has the chance to disrupt your locker room. This guy has been with me for ten years and is making X amount and then all of the sudden you bring in a free agent who might be as good, but maybe not as good, and you’re paying him way up here and all of the sudden you have this whiff that goes on in the locker room. I think you have to be real, real careful on who you bring in and how you do it.”"

What do you need to work on to get better next season?

“We need to keep growing. We need a good influx of some more players, that’s just how it works. We have to do a better job of coaching to take it to that next level. (We need to) continue to challenge and teach. Those are important things. I thought we were headed in the right direction as the season (went on) kind of after the bye week. Those are kind of the primary things.”

On DeSean Jackson.

"“I have nothing but good things to say about the kid. I did draft him. I had a great relationship with him, when his father passed away, that was a hard thing for him to go through at a young age. They were best friends. I’ve experienced life things with him, so I would tell you he was great for me when I was there.”"

Do you find it hard to believe given what you know about him and seeing what he did in that offense last year that they would be looking to trade him?

"“I don’t know what’s real and what’s not real. I haven’t looked into it either way. I’ve stayed away; I don’t really care about that, so I don’t know what’s real and what’s not real. I’m happy that he had a great year. I’m happy that Chip (Kelly) had a great year with him and that’s where it stops for me.”"