Former Colleagues Andy Reid, Brad Childress Take Big Chances on QBs

For Andy Reid, it could be a move that cements his reputation in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Brad Childress is trying to change the perception about his career as a head coach in Minnesota.

Childress was previously Reid's offensive coordinator in Philadelphia before ascending to his first NFL head-coaching gig. While their play-calling styles are very different (Childress likes the run, whereas Reid prefers the pass), there are similarities in their approaches to media relations (gruff at times, rarely talkative), as well as the fact that they're both betting heavy on new quarterbacks far from sure things.

Desperate for a starter to lead his team to something more meaningful than a home playoff loss, Childress called on an old enemy, friend and NFL legend. When the first call failed, he called again. And again.

After pursuing the player like a 16-year-old boy pursues the head cheerleader, Childress finally landed Brett Favre. Granted, it was only after the Vikings had completed their entire offseason program, broken training camp, swore they had moved on, and played their first preseason game. But Childress got the guy he wanted all along.

For better or worse, Childress' reputation as a head coach will be tied to this season. The first hand-picked Childress quarterback, Tarvaris Jackson, just hasn't gotten the job done. Fans will let you plead insanity on one bad choice at the game's most important position, but they won't let you get away with a second one. If Favre fails in Minnesota, Childress will always be viewed as the offensive mind who couldn't develop his own quarterback. A successful Favre at least allows Childress to show that his offense can work with the right guy. From there, it would simply be about finding the right guy should Favre ever decide to really retire.

Viking fans can be pleased with one aspect of this move. Whether you are talking about the owner, Zygi Wilf, or the coach, Childress, there's no question that there was a willingness to take a chance. Wilf said multiple times that he wasn't interested in Favre, but when the time was right to make the move, Wilf allowed himself to be sold by Childress, a football guy. That's how the system should work -- let the football guy sell the non-football guy on a football move.

Also, no matter how it may have appeared to fans and media, Childress was willing to take a huge risk in bringing Favre in so late. He's chancing that Favre will mesh with the locker room, washing away any hard feelings about the move, and he believes his players are mature enough to handle this change with more than just a "Whatever's best for the team" grumble. He knows that there will be fans upset by the maneuver. After all, Favre was an enemy for many years, and the timing absolutely stinks for Jackson and Sage Rosenfels. He also knows that the fans will be perfectly happy with him if the 2009 Vikings go 12-4 and win the NFC North. And if this doesn't work, Childress' fan approval rating won't be much worse than it already is.

In reality, it's a desperate move, yes, but it's one made by a guy with nothing to lose.

In Reid's case, there is no desperation, but still a lot to lose and a ton of risk.

His situation is different for a few reasons. For one, Michael Vick wasn't brought to Philadelphia to be anyone's savior. Donovan McNabb is well-established as a starting quarterback, and he's not going anywhere (at least not this year).

The chance Reid is taking is not the same as Childress', but it could end up being quite costly. See, Reid is putting his reputation on the line by even thinking he can help rebuild Vick. The Eagles chose to sign Vick fresh out of prison, in large part because they feel he can help their football team. You can never have enough weapons in the NFL, and Vick could be a huge one for the Eagles because of his athleticism. While he learns the offense, Reid can devise other ways to get him on the field and make sure he's got a chance to make a difference.

In signing Vick, Reid appears to have gone against the better judgment of his boss, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie. After Vick was introduced to the media August 14, Lurie appeared before the press and talked about how tough it was for him to approve this move.

While Vick will be held responsible for his own actions (or lack thereof) in Philadelphia, it's hard to imagine Reid not being tied to this move. It was the coach, after all, who helped sell Lurie on this signing. Given that Reid has total control over football operations, there is no general manager or personnel guru to whom Reid can pass the buck.

It was Lurie's call to sign off on the move, but he made it clear in his press conference that it wasn't his idea, and there were many reasons why he disliked what the organization decided to do. He's not taking the blame if it doesn't work out.

Childress got help from Reid when it came time for him to interview for head-coaching vacancies. Reid knew how important it was to make a good impression in those meetings, and he understood how to make it happen, even for a guy like Childress who wasn't the play-caller in the offense (Reid was). They remain friends, and their teams are going to be very competitive in the crowded NFC race this season.

While Childress isn't known for risk-taking, he sure has stuck his neck out with Favre. Reid's style has always been regarded as more aggressive, but there's no question Vick represents a bigger chance than you can possibly take with the simple calling of a play.

Only time will tell if these were truly make-or-break moves. Most observers think the seat under Childress has become a bit toasty, but not many would say the same of Reid. If the Great Michael Vick Experiment fails, it will be interesting to see how Lurie handles the fallout.