Proven guy

Count Philadelphia Eagles general manager Tom Heckert as a Spagnuolo fan.

Spagnuolo interviewed for the Broncos job Saturday. Heckert, just before the Eagles- Vikings wild-card game, said Spagnuolo would be a "great" head coach.

Heckert, who was with the Eagles during six of Spagnuolo's years as an assistant coach, also denied reports that he would go to any team, as a front office executive, that hired Spagnuolo.

"I haven't talked to 'Spags' since we played (the Giants)," Heckert said. "And I don't know where that came from. There's no truth to that. I think 'Spags' is a great coach. I know him very well and we're friends, but that's about it."

On what makes Spagnuolo a good coach, Heckert said, "First of all, he's a great defensive coach. He's proven that in New York. The players respect him. He's got a great combination where he's hard enough . . . on some guys but the players respect him and they play for him. They play hard."

When asked if he would listen to a team like the Broncos if they asked for permission to interview him, Heckert added, "I haven't even thought about it. . . . I think I have a great job. Really, I haven't even thought about it."