Billy Davis? Eagles Still Searching
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagles Blog
Billy Davis? Eagles Still Searching
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS -- Last week, a theory emerged about the Eagles' defensive coordinator search that made perfect sense. It seemed likely there was a tacit deal in place with someone still involved with coaching one of the Super Bowl teams, and so the new guy couldn't be announced, yet the team was able to make a number of defensive staff hires, though those remained officially unannounced. For proof, there was the fact that there was no news of anybody new being interviewed, all through Senior Bowl week.
The most likely name seemed to be that of 49ers defensive backs coach Ed Donatell, a former D-coordinator in Green Bay and Atlanta.
Like so many things in this world that make perfect sense, that theory is now shot to hell.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Eagles interviewed Browns linebackers coach Billy Davis over the weekend. The Browns definitely are not playing in the Super Bowl this week. Why it would take this long to get around to Davis is anyone's guess.
Davis was a candidate two years ago for the d-coordinator post, before Andy Reid settled on Juan Castillo. At the time, Davis had just been fired from his coordinator duties in Arizona. His father, Bill Davis, was the Eagles' linebackers coach under Dick Vermeil and later an Eagles player personnel VP, during the Buddy Ryan era.
The Inquirer says the Birds are interested in Ravens linebackers coach Ted Monachino. The Ravens, of course, are in the Super Bowl. But really, you could take almost any defensive position coach from the 49ers or the Ravens staff right now and build a plausible case for his candidacy. Keep in mind that teams are able to keep position coaches from leaving for coordinator jobs, just not for head coaching jobs.
The one thing we think we do know -- there have been numerous hints that new coach Chip Kelly wants to go to a 3-4. Both the Ravens and the 49ers run 3-4 defenses. Local fave Steve Spagnuolo, fired last week by the Saints, has no 3-4 chops.
Billy Davis, 47, is definitely a 3-4 guy. He ran a 3-4 in Arizona and before that in San Francisco, where then-head coach Mike Nolan hired him as defensive coordinator to switch the 49ers from 4-3. He was an Eagles ball boy during the Vermeil years.
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As several commenters below noted, this post originally referred to Mike Nolan as Ted Nolan, who is a former hockey coach and doesn't have a darned thing to do with the 3-4 defense, as far as I know. Thanks for the correction.
Just like with the head coach hire, you guys know absolutely nothing about where this is headed. You'll find out when ESPN announces it.— Bama- Didn't the Eagles learn from the debacle of hiring Washburn before they named a DC? Is Juan Castillo still available? Gold Standard baby. Nickels.
- Billy Davis? Used to sing in the Fifth Dimension; they're interviewing anyone with a pulse.— watsonmr
- I enjoy your work Les, despite what Bama thinks. I think you meant Mike Nolan, not Ted Nolan? Whatever, I hope that Kelly doesn't settle for leftovers, if he can't one of the Niners or Ravens assistants. Since Kelly hired a DL coach, are we looking at another episode of Juanita v.x washburn again?— ol duke
- Apparently, the DL coach is Chip's best bud. Hope he can coach & follow orders from whoever they hire as DC or we will have a Washburn/Castillo situation again.— yobill626
- @watsonmr: I made a similar joke in the other Billy Davis article. Nobody under 50 is going to get it though.— drbob1
- This is like the Wizard of Oz and Howie is the scarecrow with no brain— Friend to All
- No panic, no worries.....Howie is in charge and you know that everyone is dying to come get a job here and work for this football factory run by an accountant and a fantasy football geek...— nuggett
- I just don't get the vitriol directed at Howie. Did I miss something? I no longer live in the Philly burbs and haven't since 92 so I don't have WIP telling me how to feel. I can only guess that is a symptom of many that post here. I'm pretty sure most of the teams are owned and run by folks with similar backgrounds as Lurie and Roseman. I don't think there's a conspiracy to fleece fans, I don't think players and other potential personnel look down their noses at our staff for never having played the game. I just don't get it. I'm bummed about the last 2 seasons but I also appreciate the run we've had. I appreciate Lurie's last chance given to AR last season as he earned that chance for all one had done. I'm in the minority here but not afraid to say I would have done it the same if I was a billionaire owner. I get the entertainment value of anonymous hate but I wish there was more balance here from the silent majority.— vafan
- vafan - fans don't like Howie Roseman because he doesn't come from a football background ("He's not a football guy!"). The fans would prefer a GM with a large background in pro football. You know - someone like Matt Millen.— knighn
- Ted Nolan? Did Billy Davis run the neutral zone trap for the 49ers? Maybe that's why it wasn't too successful.— mrianieri
- Switching to the 3-4 entails a lot of radical personnel moves. Trent Cole will likely be traded in favor of giving Vinny Curry and Brandon Graham time at the ROLB spot. They extended Cole's contract last year based on him being one of the best 4-3 defensive ends in the league. They can probably get a 3rd round pick on him, which they can use for a Safety. You then need to draft a true nose guard with a high pick, because I don't think Derek Landri can hold that position down. Cullen Jenkins was on his way out, but he did play 3-4 end for Green Bay. That will require another draft pick to replace him. Fletcher Cox is made for 3-4 end. Then you need to get a LOLB or another MLB depending on where you want to put Mychal Kendricks. I don't think they want to put Akeem Jordan or Jamar Chaney in the starting lineup. And you still need to get a starting-caliber CB in this draft. That's a lot of picks they need to expend for this transition, and they still need to get an O-lineman to replace Danny Watkins, or move Heremans back to guard. The Texans let Demeco Ryans and Mario Williams go in their transition to a 3-4, and it worked out fine for them. 3-4 transitions are always difficult in the short run.— EmanuelP
- A 3rd for Cole? The Tonner thinks you over-value Cole. Howie got a 7th for Asante last year and he wasn't coming off a bad season like Cole is.
- In keeping with the "Accountant as a GM" model, I think Lurie ought to hire one of the Janitorial Guys as Defensive Coordinator. They are Blue Collar for sure, have been around the Locker Room and know the players. Also, the 1st two years don't count (ask Howie)!— cooperhawk
- Kelly may end up hiring a Grantham for DC or another college coach with NFL experience. I don't think Kelly, although not having any NFL experience is crazy enough to not surround himself with NFL experienced coaches. Will be interesting to see how this search shakes out.— walt1
