Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has heaped praise on Ed Reed despite the safety criticising him earlier this week.
Reed joined the Texans during the off-season but only lasted a matter of months before signing for the New York Jets last week, claiming that Phillips was the main reason behind him leaving Houston.
Phillips acknowledged that Reed was never going to be his biggest fan, but insisted that he considered it an "honour" to coach a player who he believes will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"From what he said and what I can gather, I don't think he's gonna ask me to induct him into the Hall of Fame," Phillips told reporters.
"But when he does go into the Hall of Fame, I'm going to clap my hands and say well deserved, because he's been a great, great player in this league.
"When we let Ed go, I went down to the training room, I looked him right in the eye and shook hands with him. I said thank you and I said what I said to you all that day, [that] it was an honor to coach a guy that's going to be in the Hall of Fame and I wish you good luck."
Phillips also said that he would let his record speak for itself after Reed had questioned his coaching ability.
Barney Corkhill
