Castillo Stunner: Panic Setting In?
Last spring, Juan Castillo vowed that he would "take a bullet" for Eagles coach Andy Reid. Tuesday, he did.
Castillo Stunner: Panic Setting In?
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Last spring, Juan Castillo vowed that he would "take a bullet" for Eagles coach Andy Reid. Tuesday, he did.
Castillo was fired as the Eagles' defensive coordinator, to be replaced by secondary coach Todd Bowles.
More on Bowles background here.
The move is stunning, with the Eagles 3-3 and allowing a respectable 20.83 points per game. But the defense failed to get off the field late each of the past two weeks, at Pittsburgh and in the horrendous collapse Sunday against the Lions. After the Detroit game, corner Nnamdi Asomugha openly questioned changes in strategy down the stretch.
Monday, Reid announced he would review everything, including Castillo, during the bye week. He said Castillo would continue to call defensive plays "as I stand here right now."
Reid's painstaking review didn't last long. While many people close to the team thought the loyal offensive line coach was a bizarre choice to lead the defense two years ago, and many felt he should have been replaced after last season, axing him at 3-3 seems transparently panicky, the move of a coach who is desperate to hold onto his job and is willing to try just about anything.
If Reid thought Bowles would be a better defensive coordinator than Castillo, he could have hired the former Dolphins interim head coach for the job last offseason. If Reid made the wrong call then, it's hard to muster a lot of faith that he's making the right call now.
In a statement, Reid said: "I want to make it clear that I have nothing but the ultimate respect for Juan Castillo as a coach and a person. He's one of the finest football coaches that I've ever worked with. He has served this organization extremely well for 18 years, and letting him go was a difficult decision. I know he will continue to be a successful coach in this league and I wish he and his family nothing but the best.
"We're six games into the season and average isn't good enough. I know the potential of our team and insist on maximizing it."
Of course, cynics will note that Castillo's defense has been much better than Reid's offense this year, but Andy isn't firing himselft, or offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.
Baloney. A panicky move? Juan was incompetent, and has been replaced. And all you folks wanting Reid replaced: Forget it. Lurie has said that Reid gets the full season to turn things around, and he will probably stick to that statement. Regardless of whether it's the right thing to do, it won't happen until January. Now let's hope that Reid has the cojones to bench Vick after his next turnover. He did it to McNabb, so there's a very good chance he'll do it to Vick as well.— dlscholt- disholt, you are wrong, its total panic. Reid hired Juan and everyone to a man said it was a bad move, which it was. Reid is in full panic mode. — JonKap
- No, Juan was walking on eggshells already. Two defensive collapses, and he's out the door. I'd look for more changes coming this week. — dlscholt
- Stubborn Andy sticking around until January will doom this team - he will stick with Vick no matter what and the two of them will be out of football next year fishing and playng golf. This season will end up being a waste - they will go 7-9 and miss the playoffs. — Tom Man
- Doesn't matter. If Reid is replaced right now, this season is down the toilet anyway. Lurie will give him until the team loses at least 8 games before firing him. — dlscholt
- Panic would indeed be putting in a rookie, less mobile quarterback behind this offensive line. The Eagles would ruin Foles career exposing him to the punishment Vick takes weekly and I seriously doubt he could handle the pain that comes with the promotion. There is not a QB in the NFL who could find success in Philly under the same circumstance.
Replacing Vick is not the answer. Replacing Marty is a step in the right direction.— Dexter - Dex--It continually remarkablizes me, the level of excusing that exists for T. O. Vick.
I would agree, however, that as coordinators going, it should have been the offense's coordinator rather than the defense's.— BEMiller - Not only is remarkablizes not a proper English word, if one was attempting to make up a word the components of this one do not fit together to make a rational thought. W are all dumber, by having you around. I award you no points and may god have mercy on your soul.
- A team with this much talent should not be 3-3, after blowing leads late in the last 2 games a shakeup was needed. I am fine letting Castillo go. Let it be known that everyone is expendable. Vick is next!— Philly Squid
- Even a coach that has been with the organization for 18 years. Send a message that everyone is accountable!! — Philly Squid
- IF THAT IS TRUE THEN WHY IS REID STILL HERE??????? — bedpan
- Does anyone know when Vegas will stat taking bets on who is the next Eagles head Coach? Should start soon!— Dutch-wayne
- Actually, I believe the next Vegas prop bet will be how many giveaways T. O. Vick will have in the next game! — BEMiller
- Reid has earned the right to not be fired mid season. I am ok with that.— regassert6
