Castillo: Simplify, attack
The Eagles' new defensive thrust became a title clearer today as the team held a media session with new coordinator Juan Castillo and his staff.
Castillo: Simplify, attack
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
A couple of things became clearer today when the Eagles made their new defensive staff (plus new offensive line coach Howard Mudd) available to reporters at NovaCare.
First, the implicit message was that defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was fired because he made things too complicated. Every Eagles coach in the auditorium talked about the need to simplify, to restore aggressiveness, so that players weren't spending so much time thinking about their assignments. New defensive line coach Jim Washburn, a longtime admirer of defensive end Trent Cole, pledged that you won't see Cole dropping into pass coverage anymore.
Second, though Juan Castillo will run the defense, the key figure very much is Washburn. Castillo and the other assistants spoke repeatedly about tailoring the back seven to what Washburn will do upfront, setting his ends wide -- particularly the strong side end -- and getting them upfield. Linebackers coach Mike Caldwell and secondary coaches Mike Zordich and Johnny Lynn talked of working "fits" and coverages off Washburn's alignments. Castillo, the former offensive line coach, said the defensive backs might need to get to know him, but because of his longtime interest in defense, he is a familiar figure to the defensive linemen and linebackers.
"The front seven guys know we're going to be aggressive. We're going to be dogs," Castillo said. "We'll have our own unique style."
Castillo said that under the late Jim Johnson, the defense "had his personality." He thinks the same will be true of his unit.
Other interesting nuggets from the session:
Washburn, a colorful figure whose manner is a bit reminiscent of Johnson, declared his love for hunting, motorcyles, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, not necessarily in that order. He said his decision to leave the Titans, which might have helped lead to the resignation of head coach Jeff Fisher, was difficult, but he said he wanted to come the the Eagles because "they've got a quarterback. Two of them, really. It's about that simple. They haven't had a quarterback in Tennessee since Steve McNair left, may he rest in peace."
Washburn said he is more a worker in the trenches than a concepts guy.
“I’m a trench dude. I can help out with the crunch stuff and I’ve got some ideas but that’s not my deal. I tried to be a coordinator one time but I sucked, I was terrible. I just couldn’t do it, I wasn’t wired that way. [Jeff] Fisher interviews me at Mobile 15 years ago and says, ‘Hey Wash, do you want to be a head coach some day?’ And I said, ‘Nuh uh.’ He said, ‘Well, do you want to be a coordinator?’ And I said, ‘Well, I already did it and I sucked at it.’ He said, ‘Well, I got it. You want to be the greatest defensive line coach in history right?’ And I said, ‘No, I want to coach the best defensive line in football.’ "
Not surprisingly, all the defensive assistants were supportive of the unusual move of Castillo from o-line coach to d-coordinator. "I expect great things," said Zordich. "Juan is a very intelligent man ... A lot of coaches go to Juan for some advice on how to do things defensively. We've been meeting for the last week, and I'm real excited about working with him. You can tell there's a lot of energy in the room, some fun and excitement. He's going to do well."
New linebackers coach Mike Caldwell, who has played and coached for the Eagles during Castillo's time as offensive line coach, said: "You saw the energy as a player, but now sitting in the meeting room with him, you see the knowledge. The knowledge is just so overwhelming. He knows the offense in and out, he knows the defense in and out, so I’m just excited for him and ready to get rolling.”
Drove me CRAZY watching Trent Cole drop back in pass coverage, along with the other D-Line men. McDermott was trying to be fancy, and it didn't work.— AlonzoMoselyFBI- I'm going to say that I already like the idea of how they want to run the D. I just hope execution of the idea works better than last years...— phillyphaninchi
Like the approach. So basically Washburn is running the defense. Why didn't we just make him Defensive Coordinator?- Because Washburn doesn't want to be a coordinator, he wants to be a line coach. — K_Ball
- The Eagles need better players not different coaches on defense; we are now 5 drafts removed from the last pro bowl quality pick (Cole) on the defense. The fat firm of Patterson, Bunkley and Laws leaves much to be desired.— Stephen_Niksa
- I'm just extrapolating information here but didn't the 2nd and 3rd string defense play really well against Dallas in week 17? Could it be because the defense was dumbed down as not to show our hand in the playoffs? Regardless of the reason, the D did play well in that game, no fancy schemes just line up and run the plays. Simplifying the defense just might be what the Eagles need to play instictive, hard nose football. That and a linebacker who is a menace.— soilwork007
I was shocked at first but now I'm getting into it. Keeping Cole up front is a good sign.— Richard Saunders- "We're going to be dogs up front." Pit bulls?— joe from india
There was no neeed to play B. Graham at DT on rushing downs. Oh and Andy please stop drafting these undersized D lineman. Thanks- we need to have balance attack not run 12 times and throw 35 like packers game,besides Andy in all of his 9 playoff losses ave 12 rushes and never ran more than 16...packers didn't run much in SB but thnx to turnovers but they ran 3 of 4 playoff gms remember Starks ran 25+ over us with 125 yds .....now players reid doesn't believe in...LB's right now we do not have a good one(maybe 1 later) but we need 1 good and 2 great ones....also DT,DE,CB but linebackers are key to stop run and get sacks— fireandyreid34
- So the Eagles are admitting that basically everything us know-nothing fnan were positng all through last season about the D was correct!
Now if they cut high school sized LB Ernie Sims I may even believe they're changing.— jimmyj - I just have a lingering doubt that the basic problem on the defense is poor player evaluation. Not convinced we have the horses to be a top flight defensive unit with these players.— JamesSeitz
- They definitely need better players and I don't think Castillo was the best man for the job either. Dumbing down the defense because your players can't execute does not bod well for next season. It's a band-aid solution.— Jangocat
Comment removed.- Neither did Buddy, but his defense was the best ever. I'm not expecting Castillo to cure cancer (although that would be nice.) — Klambake
