Eagles fans attending the last practice of training camp at Lehigh University got an audience with head coach Andy Reid.

This video speaks volumes about the support Reid has received after the passing of his oldest son, Garrett. Garrett Reid was found in his dormitory room here two Sundays ago.

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Amid wide-ranging, thoughtful support from fans, friends and others throughout the Delaware Valley, Eagles head coach Andy Reid issued a statement on behalf of the family.
Reid's oldest soon Garrett was found dead in his dormitory room at Lehigh University over the weekend.

To wit:

"On behalf of Tammy and our family, I would like to thank everybody for their tremendous support, love, kind words and prayers during this time of great sadness. Words cannot express our sense of loss.

"We loved Garrett so much. He was a wonderful son and brother. He made us laugh, he was a pleasure to be around, he always had a smile on his face, and we will miss him dearly. We will never forget him, and we will remember him with love.

"Garrett’s road through life was not always an easy one. He faced tremendous personal challenges with bravery and spirit. As a family, we stood by him and were inspired as he worked to overcome those challenges. Even though he lost the battle that has been ongoing for the last eight years, we will always remember him as a fighter who had a huge, loving heart.

"I spoke with the team yesterday and thanked them for their thoughts and prayers. I asked them to continue with their preparations for the upcoming season until I am ready to rejoin the team.

"It is in times like these that we lean on our faith, our family, our friends, and our Eagles family. We will do so in the difficult times ahead.

"Thank you again for your continued support."

- Andy Reid

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Eagles head coach Andy Reid's son Garrett, who assisted the team's strength and conditioning coach, was found dead Sunday in his room on the Lehigh University campus.

Preliminarily police do not believe there was foul play.

Garrett Reid had battled heroin addiction.

“This news is heartbreaking for everyone in the Eagles family," Eagles Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to Andy, his wife, Tammy, and their children."
 
Andy Reid was not at practice. Through the team he asked that training camp go on.

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Andy Reid ... one D-coordinator ago.

The Eagles upgraded their coaching staff Monday.

Veteran assistant Todd Bowles is the new secondary coach.


More importantly,  Juan Catillo returns for his second season in the role of defensive coordinator.


Head coach Andy Reid will be asked Tuesday why the coach with the most defensive coordinator experience (Bowles) is backing up to the guy with one year on the job (Castillo).

The addition of Bowles was Reid's hire. It  also likely met the approval  of team president Joe Banner and owner Jeffrey Lurie.

Bowles was a standout NFL player with a fruitful stop in Washington. He's also a longtime NFL assistant with experience as a defensive coordinator.

This past season the 48-year-old product of Temple University also was interim head coach of Miami. Bowles took on the job the week after the Eagles defeated the Dolphins, triggering the firing of head coach Tony Sparano.

With Lurie calling the Eagles' recent 8-8 season "unacceptable," Reid could be on a short leash in 2012. If it doesn't work out, the Eagles won't have to look far to transition.



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The ESPN bus/studio is parked in front of One Nova Care Way, awaiting the interview we've all been waiting for - Job Gruden taking on Andy Reid.

I've learned it will happen right on this cruiser in town for Eagles-Bears Monday night at the Linc.

Think ESPN's Gruden will ask Big Red how long he wants to coach the Eagles? What's up with that power struggle? What's going on with your quarterback? Right now, neither do I ... Unless it's OTR.

The NFL has decided the replay official can review all scoring plays at any time during games.

That could result in an increase in reviewable plays from "5 to 15 percent" according to NFL Competition Committee co-chairman Rich McKay.

As if that's not enough interference, McKay also said the Eagles successfully pressed the committee to retain a third replay challenge for teams that prevailed on their first two challenges.

Curiously Andy Reid has never used a third challenge in his long and futile battle challenging reviewable plays. Reid batted 3-for-7 in challenges (42.66 percent), the 12th-worst conversion rate in the league but pretty good for a guy who entered the season batting in the low .300's.

According to NFL records only the Lions challenged fewer plays last year than the Eagles. The only winning teams with a worse success rate worse than the Eagles in 2010 were the Ravens, Bears, Jaguars, Jets and Steelers.

Additionally the replay official overturned just 32 130 plays last year (24.62 pecent). Only the Browns (16.67 percent), the Ravens (18.8 percent) and and the Panthers (21.43) had worse success rates in 2010.

The league also has moved kickoffs from the 30 to the 35-yard line and reduced the start of the covering team to five yards. It's an effort to improve player safety on one of the more violent phases of the game.

Moving touchbacks to the 25-yard line instead of the 20 and eliminating the blocking wedge also were discussed but not passed.