Report: Spagnuolo expected back to Eagles by end of the week
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Report: Spagnuolo expected back to Eagles by end of the week
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Steve Spagnuolo is expected to return to the Eagles by the end of the week, Jason LaCanfora of NFL Network reported.
LaCanfora, citing NFL sources, wrote that Spagnuolo would likely replace embattled defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, perhaps not in name, but as the leader of the Eagles defense.
LaCanfora, though, told Ruben Frank of CSNPhilly earlier today that he was reporting that Spagnuolo would visit Philadelphia by the end of the week, not that the former Rams head coach was going to be hired by the Eagles in that time span.
If Spagnuolo is heading to the area, he may show up at Eagles headquarters and find an empty NovaCare Complex. Most of the Eagles decision-makers are on vacation this week. Eagles coach Andy Reid is away until Sunday, a source close to the situation said, so it is unlikely that any coaching changes will be announced before Sunday.
Reid, of course, was able to mastermind overhauling his coaching staff while he was away on a Caribbean vacation last January.
Spagnuolo is currently also on a vacation with his wife (at the same location as Reid?) but is expected to return tomorrow. He was fired by the Rams last week after three years as head coach. Spagnulo spent eight years with the Eagles as a defensive assistant, but left in 2007 to become the New York Giants' defensive coordinator.
If Spagnuolo does not replace Castillo as coordinator he could be named an assistant head coach along with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. If Castillo is out in his current position, he could fill the vacany at secondary coach after Johnnie Lynn was fired last week.
Former Eagles safety Quintin Mikell, who played under Spagnuolo last season in St. Louis, said last week that he thought his former coach would end up back in Philadelphia. Mikell said that Spagnuolo, as head coach, may have missed calling plays.
Now go get some NFL-quality linebackers and safeties.— TVGuy22- Now go get some NFL-quality linebackers and safeties.— TVGuy22
- This had to happen. Great news.— fgdavis
- THANK GOD, if this is true— jvmiii88
- I have no issue with Castillo being moved to a position coach. I would think that Spags would want control of the defense and wouldn't really go for Castillo being left in the DC spot as a mere ornament. Castillo can't run a defense, but the players like him and he might be able to bring some much needed spark to the secondary.— voodoochile75
- Now all we need are LB's and safeties that don't suck.— drbob1
- OK, fine, I bet the Eagles defense is not much better next year than they were this year. Spags has a SB ring but it was the offense that bailed the Gaints out in the final game. Now let's find a way for Vick to hold on to the ball, 18 turnovers last year. Turnover's are the real reason the Eagles were 8-8, not the defense.— chucksf
- Have to disagree with your comment on the Giants last game, which I assume you are refering to the super bowl with the Patriots. The Giants held a record breaking offense who averaged 37pts a game to 14 pts. They did give up a late touchdown, but did shut down Brady on the last drive. IMO it was a joke that Manning got MVP. Tuck should have gotten it. — MasterOFunk
- Castillo shouldn't even be allowed at the facility when the defensive meetings are taking place, let alone on the defensive staff. Andy can't make 1 smart move without counter acting it with a dumb one.— Steve the Cabbie
- "Spags has a SB ring but it was the offense that bailed the Gaints out in the final game." - WOW. Every time I think the bar can't get any lower...so it was the Giants OFFENSE that held a team that had averaged 37 points a game during the regular season to 14 points? Sacked Brady 5 times when he'd only been sacked 21 times all season?
— JLB - STILL NO SB IN PHILLY. ANOTHER TEASE BY LURIE. DON'T FALL FOR IT— Pete60
- Drops, tipped balls, missed tackles, missed field goals, poor game preparation, injuries and false fans that love to hate are reason Birds went 8-8. Stupid posts never tell the true story. A lot of luck goes with winning a SB.— allworld2
- Yeah, speaking of stupid posts, yours is one of the top. So, first of all, I guess those missed tackles came on offense? Teaching tackling and ensuring the correct plays are called is the coach's job. The drops, tipped balls, missed field goals, etc. did not have anything to do with the defense giving up five 4th quarter leads! That sounds like a defense that was ill-prepared to me!
— gdibig - Great move if this actually happens. We need to get back to an intimidating style of d like we use to have. Downhill style with sure tacklers and massive hits, like we used to have with B dawk. Go Birds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— athousandgods
