Ed Reed took some verbal jabs at Wade Phillips on Wednesday, telling Baltimore reporters that the Houston Texans defensive coordinator was "probably" the reason he was released by the team last week.
A day later, Phillips made it clear he wasn't looking for a war of words with the future Pro Football Hall of Fame safety, who is now a member of the New York Jets.
"From what I can gather, I don't think he's going to ask me to induct him into the Hall of Fame, to give the Hall of Fame speech for him," Phillips said, according to the Houston Chronicle. "But when he does go in the Hall of Fame, wherever I am, I'm going to be clapping my hands and saying, 'Hey, well deserved,' because he's been a great player in this league."
Phillips asserted that he was upfront with Reed and treated the veteran with respect. Asked Wednesday if the Texans defensive coordinator spoke to him after his release, Reed responded that Phillips "came in and basically made sure I was leaving."
Phillips provided a different version of events.
"When we let Ed go, I went down to the training room," Phillips said. "I looked him right in the eye, shook hands with him and I said, 'Thank you. ... It was an honor to coach a guy that's going to be in the Hall of Fame and I wish you good luck. The truth is the truth.'"
Reed is far from the first former star player to clash with a coaching staff near the end of a great career. The aging veteran is usually last to realize he's not the same guy he once was. It's a reality that can create tension -- as Phillips can no doubt attest.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" previewed "Thursday Night Football" and "stuck a fork" in three unlucky teams.
