DRC defends Juan Castillo
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
DRC defends Juan Castillo
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Going against the tide, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie came out in support of the recently-fired Juan Castillo.
While several players on defense have used Castillo’s ousting as an excuse to question his credentials or his late-game play-calling, Rodgers-Cromartie credited the former Eagles defensive coordinator with turning him into more of a press cornerback.
Rodgers-Cromartie defended Castillo, criticized some of his teammate’s finger-pointing and said that he didn't think the Eagles needed to make a change at defensive coordinator.
“That’s what you’re going to say when things seem to go bad. You’re going to pinpoint something,” Rodgers-Cromartie said of other defensive players focusing on Castillo. “I don’t feel that way. If you look at statistics we’re still in the top. … That was a decision that was made. I can’t do nothing about it. But ain’t see no problem.”
The Eagles defense is ranked 12th in the NFL in total yards and 11th in points heading into Sunday's game against the Falcons. But Castillo’s unit coughed up fourth quarter leads in the last two games -- a resurfacing of a problem that plagued the defense through much of last season.
Defensive end Brandon Graham said on Wednesday that the defensive play-calling in the fourth quarter was predictable and that Castillo was not using a number of schemes that were being practiced on during the week.
Rodgers-Cromartie said that too much blame was being pinned to the departed Castillo.
“I feel like every man should be accountable for themself,” he said. “In life, anytime things go wrong it’s easy to say, ‘Well, he did this and he did that,’ instead of saying, ‘I did this, I did that.’”
When Rodgers-Cromartie was traded to the Eagles in July of 2011 he came billed as an “off corner” in the Asante Samuel mold. He did play some press defense in Arizona, but Rodgers-Cromartie said that it was Castillo that “made me into a press corner.”
“That was Juan’s whole idea – to get up there and disrupt timing,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “Just looking at film it worked, so I stuck with it.”
The fifth-year corner leads the Eagles with three interceptions this season. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the seventh-best cover corner in the league. Rodgers-Cromartie, who had new coordinator Juan Castillo as his position coach this season, said that Castillo deserved a lot of the credit.
“No question. He changed my game,” he said. “He brought me to the press corner. He’s one of those guys that takes the time with you and let’s you understand a weakness in your game and keep you after practice and make you work on it.”
Rodgers-Cromartie also disputed the notion that Castillo had very little sway over the entire defense, especially the Jim Washburn-led line.
“Juan played a major part in every position – from the d-line to the linebackers to he always trying to keep guys after practice and make them work,” Rodgers-Cromartie said.
The third and (very) long during the Steelers game-winning drive where the Eagles rushed four and played that that weak zone behind it which allowed Brown to pretty much sit down for an easy first-down completion was the beginning of the end for Juan.— auntesther- People, People! Who put Juan in that position? Yes Andy Pandy did!
The guy was OFENSE Coach not Defense! Reid had all last off seson to put Juan back at OFfense and hire a new D Coach, but he couldn't no one wanted to cme to PHILLY! The answer for the last 7 years was to get rid of Reid! Wake up!— lost eagle - First of all whats funny about some of these comments is that most if not all of you screamed bloody murder when Reid hired Juan as DC now you want to say he was a victim. @Sidewinder7, that's the dumbest thing I've heard, its the D's job to hold the lead no matter how many points are scored by the O especially with 5mins or less left in a game.— realtruth
- First of all whats funny about some of these comments is that most if not all of you screamed bloody murder when Reid hired Juan as DC now you want to say he was a victim. @Sidewinder7, that's the dumbest thing I've heard, its the D's job to hold the lead no matter how many points are scored by the O especially with 5mins or less left in a game.— realtruth
- "I cant be mad because you think he sucks". That's too funny. Great quote.— brooklynphilly
- Sidewinder is right, although its actually a little of both. You have to have some balance and the offense is not holding up their end. Sure you expect them to hold a lead sometimes but far too often in the 4th qtr boths sides of the ball have failed. Lions game is a perfect example of the offense dropping the ball on that drive in OT. Had they at least got a first down or wait, even 7 yds, the punt could have allowed the D some room to get the O another drive. What are the eagles O stats in the 4th qtr? Regardless, its football, a game of inches. Sometimes all the stats in the world mean nothing, winning and losing is the end all even if its ugly wins.— peteike
- The Eagles issues are not on defense....Yes they gave up the lead to Detroit but blaming them for giving up the lead to the Steelers is nonsense..They held the Steelers to 1 TD...the issues are with the QB and the offense not the defense..score some points..control the football a bit and give the D a chance....Good for you DRC nice to see someone MAN UP rather then pass the buck ...Sidewinder 7 I AGREE with you— flyers1000
- It's funny how some of you think you know what you are talking about. Sidewinder and others with his beliefs are right. They fired the wrong cordinator ( I do think thant Bowles is an upgrade on D though). When the offense goes 3 and out on passes with 2 minutes remaining did you expect a different result? Question to you die hard EAGLES fans how many of you remembered Westbrook seating on the 1 yardline and not scoring that game against Dallas? Same scenerio up 2 scores. AND LAST. How many times am I going to hear Mr. Reid he should oh did a better job of putting the players in the right position? I am sorry to say he really must go.— wildgreenman
- When your defense is given a lead and can't close games out, you have nothing.
It's not the Eagles loss two games, it's how they loss on last drives or overtime with time running out.
That is a carry over from last year. There is no justification for loosing games the offense has given to the defense to protect leads— Dexter - The Eagles are not a good team and you can forget about anything good happening this season.— fafink
- love the grammar by the players— psualum
- Juan took the bullets for Reid, Marty and M. Vick because of their bad coaching and stupid offensive callings during the first 6 games.
If the offense scores more points, less turnovers we could have been 5 and 1 instead of 3 and 3.
As long as M. Vick at qb and Marty's unsmart play callings, Andy Reid sticks with Vick and the keeps losing he will be fired soon !
Nick Foles is our offensive weapon option. Start him to rescue the D unit now ~
— phillafuN - Everyone is paid why play hard?— M420
- Yo,D.R.C.
How much longer do you expect to be an Eagle? Publicly disagreeing with the Coach's deceision...not to swift, dude!— Y O Y - Bottom line is Reid screwed the pooch by putting Castillo in that role. Reid should be fired, hell, should have been fire 4-5 years ago. The problem is the team is way overrated. Has been the past 3-4 years. And the head coach still can't count to 120.— txflyer
