Eagles' search for defensive coordinator could expand

CHICAGO - With the remaining playoff teams cut in half after Sunday's conference title games, the Eagles' public list of candidates for their defensive coordinator opening could be growing.

Of course, if the Eagles were hoping interview coaches from either the Packers or the Steelers - slated to meet each other in Super Bowl XLV - they will have to wait until Feb. 7 to do so.

They did finally get around to interviewing one candidate. Saints assistant Dennis Allen met with Eagles coach Andy Reid and general manager Howie Roseman for a formal interview at the NovaCare Complex on Sunday. The 38-year-old defensive backs coach flew back to New Orleans later in the day, a team spokesman said.

It is unclear exactly what transpired, but he was not hired, as expected - at least not yet. Allen also interviewed with the Broncos for their defensive coordinator position opening on Friday.

The Eagles still have a number of candidates they have yet to interview. Those names are still unknown, though.

The search could become clearer on Monday as the Eagles are now free to talk with coaches on the Bears' and Jets' staffs with expiring contracts or request permission to talk with coaches signed through at least next season.

Bob Babich, Chicago's linebackers coach and before that their defensive coordinator, could be on the Eagles' radar. Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is a popular choice among Eagles fans, but he is under contract and has said he isn't going anywhere.

More than likely, the Eagles are waiting for at least one assistant on one of the Super Bowl-bound teams. Packers defensive line coach Mike Trgovac seems to be a perfect fit for the Eagles - he ran a 4-3 defense as the Panthers' coordinator and once coached in Philadelphia. But he has said that he isn't even sure if he wants to go back to being a coordinator.

Green Bay assistant head coach/inside linebackers coach Winston Moss is also another possible candidate, as is outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene. The Steelers' Dick LeBeau is one of the game's best coordinators, but the 73-year-old's contract is up after this season.

He doesn't sound likely to leave Pittsburgh, at least not for the Eagles.

"If I'm in the state of Pennsylvania, I'm going to be in Pittsburgh," LeBeau said after the Steelers' win.

Roseman and possibly Reid are expected to attend Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala., on Monday. There will be a host of potential coordinator candidates in attendance.