Eagles hire Washburn
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles hire Washburn
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles were able to lure Jim Washburn away from Tennessee and signed the defensive line coach to a deal today, the team announced.
“We are thrilled to add a quality defensive line coach in Jim Washburn,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said in a statement. “He had a great tenure with Jeff Fisher and the Tennessee Titans and he’ll play a big part in the development of our defensive line moving forward. He’s had a number of Pro Bowl players working under him over the years with the Titans and we’re happy to have him join our coaching staff in Philadelphia.”
Those Pro Bowl players include defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch, Jevon Kearse and Jason Babin, and defensive tackles Albert Haynesworth and Kevin Carter.
The 61-year-old Washburn has spent the last 12 seasons with the Titans. Since joining that post in 1999, the Titans have ranked 7th in the NFL in sacks (474), while ranking 5th against the run, limiting opponents to just 102.9 rushing yards per game during that span.
"Words cannot express the gratitude I have for Jeff Fisher and the Titans organization for allowing a nobody like me to coach in the NFL for the last 12 years," Washburn said in a statement. “An opportunity came along for me to join the Eagles and I felt like it was good timing. At this stage of my career, I’m ready to make a change. This is no reflection on the state of the Titans but just a good opportunity for me."
Washburn will replace Rory Segrest, who the Eagles fired last week after two seasons as their defensive line coach.
The Eagles still have to find a defensive coordinator, however. Jim Mora, who was in Denver yesterday, and Dick Jauron, who is currently in Cleveland, are two of the leading candidates. Mora has narrowed his choices down to the Eagles and Broncos.
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this means haynesworth will be coming. washburn and haynesworth got along very well.— chadp1234- Take a look at Robert Kraft. He wants rookie TE's instead of Randy Moss's big contract. He underpays his HOF QB and wouldn't pay up to Logan Mankins. All Kraft cares about these days is makking the playoffs, not winning anymore SBs. Jeff Lurie is a much bigger and bette spender than theose cheap Patriots. Banner has been saving his nickels so he can spend his dollars when the collective bargaining agreement is signed. Holy Pollyanna and go Eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— tommy_the_k
- Great signing! I bet the dLs are excited for training camp now!— Eagle_1960
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- no way haynesworth and his outrageous contract are coming here, we tried a locker room cancer once with TO, aint happening again. Any team that takes a chance on haynesworth needs to have their head checked. You cant tag Kraft with that label just because theyve failed with their system the last 2 yrs, when that same system got them superbowls before. Eagles have very low spending numbers, so Lurie is really more of the playoff only owner— peteike
- Great sign!!
- peteike...if haynesworth comes here and dominates I expect you to not be cheering for him on these philly.com boards...
First off, you don't know that he is a "cancer". The whole mess in Washington is the coaches fault for handling the situation like a child.
He is one of the most dominating DT in the league....how could you not want to add him to your roster? And as for taking chances....signing Vick and then making him your starting QB...I'm not sure there is a better definition for "taking a chance". If there is a team out there who will take a shot at bringing in Haynesworth...it's the Eagles.
And i'm all for it...— EagleBeliever 
wow, that rory segrest was another great coaching pick by Andy Reid. phenominal.- Eagles organization continues to do what it takes to improve each and every offseason. Very nice start.— MidGreen
- Wouldn't the new DC want a say in this? Is this why bigger name candidates don't want to come here? No talent and not much say on how how to fill out their staff? Just asking, not trying to be negative.— DennyP
- CharlieGarner just admit you secretly have a crush on the big guy
- oh thats brilliant. I think that would be you. If I have a crush on any coach its John Gruden or Rex ryan , or like Vince Lombardi, BECAUSE THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN. Losing almost every championship game you appear in is GARBAGE, and then losing the only SB you appear in on top of it. thats brilliant. Maybe you and Andy can go run away together.
Not bad. Eagles fans will welcome the seniority (compliment, not sarcasm).— road515- GREAT hire by the birds! now its kevin green time!— socalbirdsfan
