Bowles to D: "We're not going to be predictable"
Todd Bowles met with his defense for the first time Monday and the Eagles' new defensive coordinator didn't announce many changes in scheme, players said, but he did say one thing was going to be different.
Bowles to D: "We're not going to be predictable"
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Todd Bowles met with his defense for the first time Monday and the Eagles' new defensive coordinator didn't announce many changes in scheme, players said, but he did say one thing was going to be different.
"The biggest thing he said was we're not going to be predictable anymore," linebacker Casey Matthews said.
Several other players echoed Matthews' account of the meeting, held on the first day the Eagles gathered since last Monday, a day before Andy Reid fired Juan Castillo and promoted Bowles. While the defense will remain essentially as is with the same starting unit, several players said, there will be natural changes with a new man in charge.
"Things are going to be a little different," Matthews said. "Obviously, he's a totally different type of coach than Juan. Juan was a little more fiery. Todd's laid back, but he knows what he's talking about."
Bowles was hired in January to be the defensive backs coach, but players at other defensive positions said that they had gotten to know the coach over the last ten months. Mostly, they said they respected him based on his experience as a coach and a player.
"He was the interim head coach of the Dolphins last year," Matthews said. "He's been around. He's well-respected. I think that's one thing, as a player, he's been on the defensive side for a while. Juan came over from the offense so a lot of people, especially vets, you don't know if they're qualified."
Some have wondered if Bowles has plans to blitz more since the defensive line has had trouble getting pressure.
"He said he's not here to revamp the defense," Matthews said. "We're still running the same stuff. He just wants us to play together and take it back to training camp days -- basic fundamentals, getting extra work after practice or getting in your playbook."
Defensive end Jason Babin was evasive when asked about Bowles.
"I'm not a football guy. I don't know much about him," Babin said. "Shows up on time, works hard."
Babin was asked if he had a reaction when the Eagles announced Tuesday that Bowles would replaced the fired Castillo.
"I've been doing this for nine years now," Babin said. "Kind of have to be numb to the goings-ons."
In other news on the defensive side of the ball, defensive tackle Mike Patterson practiced, as expected. The Eagles have three weeks to decide if they want to activate Patterson or he will have to be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve.
Safety Nate Allen (hamstring) did not practice but he said that he would be ready to play Sunday against the Falcons.
sounds like Babin has a bad attitude— pr0f3ss0r- 13th ranked defense when your offense turns the ball over more then anyone else, not going to be that easy to improve on.— Sidewinder7
- Scrap the wide nine and let Bowles institute his plan. Should have returned Juan as O line coach and let Mudd and Washbun ride off into the sunset on their Harleys. Those two old guys were great coaches once but maybe the game has passed them by. Marty is next followed soon by Vick and eventually Big Red. It's getting stale around here.— mortt1956
- Same thoughts I had a few days ago when Castillo was fired. Fire Mudd, reinstate Castillo as OL coach, install Bowles as DC. That seemed to be the more practical move but, as usual, Reid continues along his utterly awe-inspiring, meandering, erratic, and totally befuddling course as he has for FOURTEEN tortuous seemingly limitless years. — essell
- I like the fact that he said they weren't going to be predictable ANYMORE. Juan's inability to disguise his D was one of the biggest problems. I'm glad that Bowles acknowledges this and has indicated up front that thats the #1 thing to work on. That alone might make this D a little better, maybe even allow some guys to make a few big plays. Hope springs eternal. And I agree that none of this will make a whit of difference unless the offense starts improving.— Zee77
- yawn ...
Vick is still the QB and Reid still the head coach. That's all we need to know. Castillo just another scapegoat.— Bradley85 
Comment removed.- You're new defensive coordiantor Todd "Cereal" Bowles.— neddyflanders
- Here's one thing that is predictable - they won't smack anyone in the mouth. where have you gone Bill bergey, Wes Hopkins, Bill Bradley, Andre Waters, Seth Joyner, etc....— TheOnionPeeler
- lets hope so...— briman
- We could afford to lose Babin. He's whining and pouting like a baby. He needs to play some ball. I havent heard his name called in three weeks! Send him to Cleveland for some draft picks...IJS— NC Eagle Fan
- Gee sharky your about as negative in the sports section as you are in the editorials, and just as clueless. "Blitz is all they know." One of the complaints that many have is that they don't is that they don't blitz as much as they use to and rely on pressure from the front four. But hey, don't let facts get in the way of your rants.— John Klink
- At least Bowles has a pedigree as a defensive coach in the NFL. Gotta give him a chance to see what he can do. They will be playing against some good QB's in the upcoming weeks, so the results to this move will be answered in the next few weeks.— watsonmr
- Did a professional football player really say "I'm not a football guy"? Where do we find these guys?— ANDY-IS-FAT
- We clearly know Babin is not a footballl guy. A football guy could actually slow down a running game. Lets send him and the wide 9 scam back where it belongs.— killamagilla
