Will Birds cull defensive boss from conference playoff team?

CHICAGO - Well, if the Eagles were waiting to talk to Chicago linebackers coach Bob Babich about their defensive coordinator job, Babich's schedule just opened up, after the Bears' offense let the team down in a 21-14 NFC Championship Game loss to the visiting Green Bay Packers.

If the Birds want to talk to Packers defensive line coach Mike Trgovac, or Green Bay linebackers coach Winston Moss, they'll have to wait a couple of weeks, until either the Pack or the Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl XLV. Ditto anyone on the Steelers' staff. (And despite an expiring contract, it seems really, really unlikely that 73-year-old Dick LeBeau is going to leave the Steelers to make a lateral move to the Eagles, who sources have said are not looking to install a 3-4 defense.)

No one with the Eagles has confirmed anything about any of these guys being candidates, but a source had said the team was waiting to talk to at least one candidate still involved in the playoffs, as the conference title games neared. Of course, the Jets' coaches also just became available, although Mike Pettine, formerly the head coach at North Penn High, has said he will not leave Rex Ryan's staff.

The Birds entertained Saints secondary coach Dennis Allen yesterday; Allen, 38, is the first official interviewee, who came to the Eagles just after talking to the Broncos about their coordinator position. Allen left town without being hired, apparently.

Asked why the job was appealing, Allen told Channel 6, "because it's a great organization, a great city and it's a team that wants to win."

Asked about the Birds' secondary issues - they allowed a franchise-record 31 touchdown passes this season - Allen said: "I don't know about that. I'm just looking to be with a great organization, and if I get the opportunity, it would be a great opportunity."

The Eagles have been thought to be targeting a more experienced coach than Sean McDermott, the 36-year-old defensive coordinator they dismissed after two seasons, a little more than a week ago. But a source close to the situation was talking up the advantages of someone young and up-and-coming, over the weekend.

Babich, who turns 50 on Feb. 20, was head coach and defensive guru Lovie Smith's coordinator from 2007-09. Trgovac, 51, also is a former d-coordinator, with the Carolina Panthers. Moss, 45, a former standout player in the league, also carries the title of assistant head coach, showing how much head coach Mike McCarthy values him.

Trgovac has a strong supporter in Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji, the man of the hour yesterday after scoring the game-winning touchdown on an 18-yard interception return. Raji seemed to have heard reports that Trgovac might be a target for other teams.

" 'Trgo,' man, he's been a father away from home," Raji said. "He's one of those coaches, you wish he could stay with you forever, as long as your career [lasts], but I can't control that. He's been a great influence on my life. He's taught me the game. He's taught me how to grow as a man."

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