Eagles' Bowles: 'We've got to finish and win games'
Todd Bowles is introduced as Eagles defensive coordinator
Eagles' Bowles: 'We've got to finish and win games'
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Wearing a Temple hoodie, new Eagles defensive coordinator Todd Bowles channeled a little bit of Hyman Roth from “The Godfather, Part II” at his introductory press conference. It was the this-is-the-business-we-have-chosen line from the movie, and it was used in reference to the sudden firing of his predecessor, Juan Castillo.
“Me and Juan had a great relationship,” said Bowles, who was brought in to coach the secondary this season. “To come in this morning and find out...He’s a great guy, he’s a great coach, he works hard, we had a great relationship as a staff. That’s going to be sorely missed.
“But for us, in this business we chose, we’ve got to move on and try to make the best of what we can. That’s what we’ve got to do.”
With that, a page turns.
“The only way (the defense) can be different is on the scoreboard,” Bowles said. “Hopefully, we come up with wins, it’ll look different. But in the end, the main goal is to get the victory, however we’ve got to get it.”
Bowles also said, “We’ve got to finish at the end of the games. We’ve got to finish and win games. The bottom line is, when you’re out there on defense, it doesn’t matter what happens. When you’re out there at the end of the game, you’ve got to finish.”
“Tweak” was the word he used to describe what he would change. Bowles said he has not yet decided if he will work from the sidelines, as Castillo did, or from a skybox, where the view is better and the emotions are less hot. And as for new tactics, he naturally was pretty circumspect.
As for the wide-9 defensive front, which has drawn so much commentary since defensive line coach Jim Washburn brought it here last year, Bowles said, “We run a wide-9 -- that’s what we do. But game plan-wise, it depends on whether we do other things along with it.”
And blitzing?
“If it works, great,” Bowles said, smiling. “If not, don’t do it.”
A lot of big changes for the EAGLES, and a lot more to come. I'm expecting it to be a busy bye week. I'm expecting a one of those rare mid-season trades and at least one more coaching change. I'm sorry to say this may be Andys last season, and yes I am a Reid fan.— Flash Dad- Hire Dawkins as DB Coach and defensive assistant.— VegasEagleFan
- Good luck Coach Bowles.
JBB.— James Broscius - At least its a move. now drop the other shoe and promote the kid. What do you have to lose? Yes everything...but you are on that road anyway so why not take a shot?— iskabobpatel
- on a personal level,i am sad to see juan go...a true gentleman in a profession where you get a large percentage of ego-maniacs and type a personalities who don't always come across as real people...juan was a real guy,a stand up dude and it's too bad it didn't work out for him...on the other hand,good luck todd and fix whatever needs fixing fast...— jabac
- I truly thought Bobby April would have been fired first......i keep remembering the Danny Smith special teams(nightmare) era.I wish Coach Bowles the best...— jdiver681
- Don't feel sorry for Juan. He'll get paid for not working for the rest of the season and then be hired by another team as Offensive Line Coach, which is what he's suited for. Andy and Marty will be joining him in the unemployment line anyway at the end of the season.— SteveS11
- Love the Dawkins as secondary coach idea VegasEagleFan!
Hire McNabb as offensive coordinator too since Marty has to go and McNabb knows the plays, the system, and the personnel. Can't bring someone from outside in during the season but McNabb has to be better then Marty!— connorjr - ^ Let's hope...— WestonF01
- Connorjr.....are you kidding me? Hire McNabb as Offensive coordinator. You are funny. I read some silly stuff but that takes the cake!!!!!!!!!— Dr. D.
- Isn't Bowles the genius who decided to cover Fitzgerald one on one? And this is the new DC? Nice!— scootch
- You're wrong dude. The reason Fitz got off was for the same reason Megatron did, running crossing patterns through zone coverage where you can lose your man. They didn't play Fitz man up. — nas786
- “Me and Juan had a great relationship,” said Bowles. Spoken like a Temple grad!— scootch
- Good luck coach Bowles.— oldBird
- One down...two to go (Reid, Vick).
— ziggy26
