Abrupt Move Follows Awkward Silence
The Eagles have been extremely sensitive to Jim Johnson's feelings all year in their presentation of Sean McDermott as his successor. Suddenly, though, McDermott has the job permanently.
Abrupt Move Follows Awkward Silence
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
It isn't a surprise that Sean McDermott will be the Eagles' defensive coordinator -- when the team revealed the extent of Jim Johnson's problem with metastasized melanoma last January, it seemed very unlikely Johnson would be able to function in that role in 2009, or afterward. Johnson has officially been on leave since May 18.
However, this morning's abrupt announcement that McDermott will be 
introduced as the coordinator at a Saturday news conference -- without any sort of "interim" title -- is surprising. The team provided no immediate details. It seems reasonable to infer that Johnson's situation is so dire, there is no point in continuing to hold out the possibility of his return. A team spokesman said Johnson is unavailable for comment, and there will be no obligatory quote from Johnson provided.
UPDATED: The Eagles have provided these quotes from head coach Andy Reid: "First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with Jim Johnson and his family as they battle through this difficult time in his cancer treatments. I have been in constant communication with Jim and his wife (Vicky) throughout this offseason and they are thankful for all the support they have received from the Eagles organization, the fans and the entire NFL community.
"As far as Sean McDermott, we have full confidence he can continue to lead this defense in his new role. He showed great command and presence in the offseason camps and has had an opportunity to learn from the best in the business. He’s very smart, works very hard, and has a good rapport with the players and the assistant coaches. He’s ready for this and I’m confident he’ll do a great job."
It probably benefits McDermott, having the players know that he is the coordinator, not just a guy filling in, with training camp starting Sunday at Lehigh. But during minicamps, the Eagles allowed no media access to McDermott, while Johnson was away being treated, seemingly underscoring the fact that the job still belonged to Johnson. This news conference, and bestowing of the title to McDermott, is a 180-degree change from that stance.
McDermott, 35, has worked for the Eagles in a number of roles since 1998. He is a graduate of La Salle High and William and Mary.
Reading this made me sad. I lost my Dad to the same thing Jim Johnson has. For years JJ has been one of the best at what he does as well as a stand up guy. I hope it is not as bad as this feels.— TomEBoy- Reading this made me sad. I lost my Dad to the same thing Jim Johnson has. For years JJ has been one of the best at what he does as well as a stand up guy. I hope it is not as bad as this feels.— TomEBoy
Comment removed.- Hopefully JJ pulls through, his absence has me worried. McDermott may be good but its tough to stay at the same level when you lose a defensive genius and innovator like Johnson. His schemes and blitzes have made this one of the better defenses over his tenure and I can only expect a drop off with him not calling the shots. Get well.— jwood
- Les, this very likely is not an abrupt move. It's obvious that they think highly of McDermott. From the moment he was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma of the vertebra during the previous season, the club was probably making contingency plans, both short and long term. The 1 year survival rate for metastatic melanoma to bone is 20%. I really do want him to completely recover. It was just unrealistic for anyone to think today's move would not happen.— Bob1
Johnson will be missed. Good luck Sean. Go Birds!— Richard Saunders- First, get well JJ. Second, the move makes sense. You don't want the D looking past McDermott when JJ visits the sidelines. While I don't agree with the FO on everything I would like to believe they have enough class to keep JJ in some capacity until JJ chooses otherwise. The first sentence explains why this isn't an abrupt move, just the delaying to the last possible minute of an unpleasant call.— Joe Funk
- I always felt in prime years of the past decade, that without JJ, the Eagles were a ordinary team. The window is now officially shut. Good luck losers.— Philadelphia
Reading this gives me some perspective on my obsessive devotion to Eagles football and how devestated I get when they lose. This is a human story above and beyond a football story. That being said, thanks a million times over to Jim Johnson for providing a decade's worth of franchise-defining defense. I wish the players could have given him one last stop in Arizona during the NFC Championship, but knowing that his life is sadly coming to a close makes it a heck of a lot easier for me to not get upset that they didn't. It's just a game. All the best to JJ.— kgall- God Bless Jim - very few gentleman in the game these days...he's definitely one of them.— MrJimmy
- Here's the thing, 11:50: I'm racking my brain to figure out why a person would willingly be the way you apparently are, and I'm at a complete loss. So, never mind. Enjoy your misery, and I'll be glad I'm not you.— Nutburgers
- Melanoma is the fastest progressing skin cancer that if not detected in the early stages poses a high risk of mortality. The situation probably is not good for Johnson. We all wish this gentleman well and hope for his recovery.— drbob456
- Best of luck JJ - i hope this is a sign of what is best for the team, not Jim's health. The Eagles will do well with an alumni of the best HS in the area.— occasionalpost
- Best of luck JJ - i hope this is a sign of what is best for the team, not Jim's health. The Eagles will do well with an alumni of the best HS in the area.— occasionalpost
- Jim can make it throught this thing...he's been bucking the odds as a regular diet for a lot of years and is a tough,tough guy...there are a lot of people pulling for you Jim...and if anyone can survive this, you can...see you this season.— garyshaffer
