In Talks?

Gillick says he may talk to Burrell and Lidge about contract extensions



Word out of South Philly is that Gillick may get some contract talks going during the season. And, it all boils down to the fact that it's his last season.

The Phillies prefer to hold discussions on contract extensions typically after the season. Being that Gillick is done he may decide to lock them up to extensions before his tenure is up.

"If I'm not going to be back and the organization thinks that they would like to move ahead, then it would be something that we would have to consider," Gillick said

It would behoove the Phillies to sign both Burrell and Lidge. They can't keep letting offensive players walk year after year. Some argue that it would be less money for them to spend on Ryan Howard.

Why not sign Howard, Burrell, Hamels, and Lidge to extensions?

This is the penurious Phillies ownership we're talking about though, so we'll see if they do the right thing and lock up Burrell and Lidge.

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Andy Reid goes on Cataldi's show

You have to give Andy Reid props for making an appearance on Angelo Cataldi's Morning Show on WIP yesterday morning.

Cataldi has been destroying Reid this entire offseason and feels that the Eagles will be a 7-9 team. And, he has repeatedly said that Reid has worn out his welcome and should leave the Eagles.

I couldn't disagree more about the 7-9 statement because this team will win at least 10 games.

At any rate, Reid was quite candid in his interview and answered all of Angelo's questions. One thing we've learned is that whenever Big Red does interviews on WIP, whether they be with Eskin or Cataldi, he's very engaging and not the surly, boring coach we've come to be annoyed with at his post-game and day-after press conferences.

The biggest thing I took away from the interview yesterday is that Reid genuinely thinks Reggie Brown will take a step forward and that combined with L.J. Smith being healthy will propel their offense into the next strata.

It certainly wasn't spin because he was quite direct about it and did not waiver one bit.

I think it's premature to say L.J. Smith will be a difference maker, because he has been largely inconsistent in his six years with the Eagles, but he certainly has the skills and if healthy he could have one of those "playing for a new contract" type seasons.

I maintain they need to get Roy Williams and do whatever it takes.

Here's an interesting way they could make it happen according to Mark Eckel.

Back to Reid though, he was great yesterday and I only wish he'd be this way more often. But, that's not the Andy Reid way.

If the Eagles can become this year's Giants I'll live with that!