Reid looking forward to NFC challenge in '04

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Philadelphia coach Andy Reid, left, with quarterback Donovan McNabb, has guided the Eagles into three consecutive NFC Championship games. Reid will coach the NFC in the Feb. 8 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Advertiser library photo • Jan. 30, 2003 Game facts What: 2004 Pro Bowl Where: Aloha Stadium When: Feb. 8, 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $30 to $150. Ticket purchases: Aloha Stadium box office, or through Ticketmaster (877-750-4400), or online at ticketmaster.com Parking: $5. Television: ESPN, Live. Radio: CBS Radio, Live

Reid, in town as the NFC coach for the Feb. 8 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium, is one of the NFL's hottest coaches with three consecutive NFC championship appearances with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Next season, Reid faces new challenges in his NFC East Division with the coaching arrivals of Joe Gibbs (Washington Redskins) and Tom Coughlin (New York Giants).

With Dallas' Parcells mixed in, too, the NFC East is suddenly the division with the murderer's row of coaches. No other active coach has won more Super Bowls than Gibbs (three) and only Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has won as many Super Bowls as Parcells (two).

As for Coughlin, he's a proven winner, leading the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars to two AFC title games in eight seasons.

"I'm just very honored to coach against these guys," Reid said. "They're a great bunch, and I know they'll get right back into the swing and do a nice job like coach Parcells did."

Gibbs takes over a team that went 5-11 last season, while Coughlin will inherit a 4-12 squad. Parcells begins his second season after going 10-6 in the regular season and leading the Cowboys to the wild-card playoffs.

"It will be great competition," said Reid, who in the past three regular seasons has gone 35-13 (.729). "That's what we all look for as players and coaches. We want the best competition, and we'll have that in the NFC East."

Reid said the three NFC East coaches provide the NFL with some character and winning tradition.

"I think it's great for the NFL," Reid said. "They're not only good coaches, but they're good people. It's a compliment to their history, and what they've done in this league. They'll continue to do it, I'm sure."

Yesterday, Reid's coaching ability drew raves from Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae of the New York Jets. Mawae, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, said he was impressed with Reid's ability to lead his team to the NFC championship game this season despite an 0-2 start.

"I think a good coach can take average players and turn them into really good players," Mawae said. "Not only does he have to teach a guy technique, and Xs and Os, he has teach a group of 53 guys how to work together as one unit and be able to pull out all the stops when it really counts. I think a coach like an Andy Reid has proven to do that."

In addition to his new coaching competition, Reid will have deal with the possible departure of several key free agents in running back Duce Staley and defensive backs Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent.

"If the older veterans have a chance to come back, we would sure love to have them back," Reid said. "But if they end up going to different places, we have a good young group and good nucleus of players, so our chances are as good as anybody's."

Notes: Mawae said he was pleased to be playing on the newly installed FieldTurf at Aloha Stadium. He was one of the players who expressed disappointment when the installation was delayed until after last season's Pro Bowl. "Right now it's a big thing," Mawae said. "Everybody loves it. I think it's a great improvement and great upgrade. I think the players who are going to play on it are going to be a lot happier." ... Reid picked the NFC's Carolina Panthers to win tomorrow's Super Bowl. "You're always partial to the team that kicked your tail to get there. So I guess Carolina. I'm an NFC guy." ... New York defensive end Shaun Ellis, a first-time Pro Bowl selection, said he was impressed with the New England Patriots' quick, short passing game and stingy defense, but he did not make a prediction for tomorrow's Super Bowl. "Whichever defense comes out and sets the tempo early, I think will win the game," he said. ... The Hawai'i Tourism Authority and the NFL will conduct youth training clinics throughout the state starting today through Saturday. The clinics are for boys and girls, ages 11-18, and will feature NFL players. Cheerleading sessions will also be held. The schedule: Today, Vidinha Stadium, Lihu'e, Kaua'i, 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Kea'au High School Stadium, Hilo, Hawai'i, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Kealakehe Stadium, Kona, Hawai'i, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, Keopulani Park, Wailuku, Maui, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, Waipi'o Soccer Stadium, session one (for middle school), 7:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.; session two (for high school), 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.