Finally, a Defensive Coordinator: Bill Davis
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Finally, a Defensive Coordinator: Bill Davis
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
So, it turns out Chip Kelly wasn't waiting for the Super Bowl, national signing day, or the vernal equinox. He was waiting ... well, we have no idea why he was waiting. The Eagles' new defensive coordinator, a league source confirms, is former Browns linebackers coach Bill Davis, who has been available to be hired for weeks now, and in fact interviewed for the job two weeks ago.
The hiring was first reported by CSNPhilly.com's Geoff Mosher.
Davis was an Eagles ball boy in the Dick Vermeil years, when he was known as "Billy," and his father, Bill Davis, was a Vermeil assistant. The elder Bill Davis later ran Eagles player personnel in the Buddy Ryan era.
The younger Davis, 47, was the Cardinals' defensive coordinator in 2009 and 2010, the 49ers' coordinator in 2005 and 2006, without great results -- his teams finished 32nd, 26th, 20th, and 29th in NFL defense. But he also was not blessed with great talent.
Davis has great experience with the 3-4 setup Kelly is believed to prefer. He also has worked with 4-3 schemes and described his Arizona defense as a hybrid.
Now that he is hired, presumably we will get to meet the rest of Kelly's staff, some of whom have been working at NovaCare for several weeks. Kelly refused to confirm any hires until his staff was complete.
Fans will note that the Eagles now have hired, unofficially, as their offensive and defensive coordinators, two guys from the 2012 Browns, in Pat Shurmur and Davis. Shurmur was the head coach of the 5-11 Browns, one of four teams to actually lose to the Eagles last season.
But when Kelly was hired, everyone made a big deal of how important it would be for a college coach with no NFL experience to hire NFL guys as coordinators, and Kelly seems to have done that. Both coordinators have Eagles roots, as well, with Shurmur having been Donovan McNabb's QB coach.
look at the bright side...I heard our new o-line coach had some DC experience...— bodybaggame- kelly's heroes? or kelly's zeroes? looks like the role of Oddball has finally been cast...— bodybaggame
- How can you hire a DC who hasn't ever had a descent ranking squad? I guess we'll have to wait 5 years til the "Chipper" gets fired to hope for good coaches again? BTW, does Laurie get some kind of discount for hiring former Browns clowns?— greenguy
- Quick hits ...
1. It really does appear that possible DC candidates from the Ravens and Niners did, indeed, say "no thanks." No other good reason for stalling with this announcement.
2. As for Davis' less than stellar defense rankings for his teams ... please keep in mind that coordinators DO NOT DRAFT PLAYERS. Sure, they can express a desire or a need but the drafting is, ultimately the work of the HC and GM. In short, coordinators are obliged to do the best with the players they are given.
This doesn't make them any better or worse. It's just that some significant factors are out of their control.
Essentially this is a "hope for the best" period for Eagles fans and any whining that takes place now is simply unfounded ... unless you're a committed "Negadelphian."— FishFryFrank - I am thinking the same thing as nametac, someone from both Superbowl staffs said No, or wasn't granted permission to interview because it isn't for a Head Coaching position.....I sit here willing to give Chip a good 2-3 years because really that is what it is going to take to get to the SB...Far to many holes to do it in one...— Philliefan75inAZ
- I'd say some good points are made here but then lose credibility when the poster resorts to such intelligent name calling as "fairies in the front office" and attributes a defensive coaches "success" to two pro bowlers on the offensive side of the ball.— srf466
- Someone explain to me why I should think this guy is what is needed with this bunch of uninspired prima donas?— alwaysphil1
- He started with the Eagles when he was, what, 12 yrs old? Cool.
Give the guy a chance.— Richard Saunders - Welcome to Philly, Chip. But, know that this is only the start of your monthly reviews.— bailco
- Not saying that this is a good hire or not. Time will tell on that. But, I think the reason Davis was hired is because of turnovers. The Eagles' D created something like 13 turnovers last year. By contrast, during his years as a D Coordinator, Davis' defenses created 28 (2005), 31 (2006), 33 (2009) and 30 (2010). If Kelly's offensive goal is to run as many offensive plays as possible, then a guy who plays an aggressive defense which creates turnovers makes sense. Of course, Davis' defenses also got burned for a lot of yards and points, so there's risk in it as well.— kmpnj1219
- Well, they can't do any worst than the last set of coaches, right?
Sincerely,
Juan Castillo— ricciaje - The Gimmick Standard.
Two years from now this whole staff will be gone and we will be hearing about "rebuilding for the future".
Meanwhile, Chip went to the Wing Bowl and, hey, that's gonna' put our guys in position to make plays. Time's yours.— croozn - It is obvious whatb happened and evenmore disturbing than the nightmare inducing OC/DC hirings. The Eagles waited to hire secondary coaches from the Ravens or 49er's but ehy were TURNED DOWN WITH NO INTEREST FROM ANY OF THEM IN A PROMOTION!!!! Considering the rumors from pre-Kelly that the league had a low opinion of Roseman and the Eagles future, this is more proof.— UncleStosh
- The 49ers had no talent when he coached there. Kelly has a track record of recruiting coaches who go on to have success. I do feel bad for Davis though - he's stepping into yet another situation where the roster is weak.— oldfriar
- What a great move from the stinking rotten Cleveland Browns. Are defense should be as bad as this past season if not worse. I have no hope for this upcoming season especially without a legitimate QB. I hope everyone survives the couple inch blizzard.— fedphilafan
