Graham: No more wide nine
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Graham: No more wide nine
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Ding-dong, the wide nine is dead.
With Jim Washburn's firing today it was likely the Eagles defensive line would no longer run the system employed by the departing defensive line coach. But Brandon Graham made it official this morning after the unit met with new coach Tommy Brasher.
"From what he was saying, I know we won't be in the nine-technique," Graham said.
Graham said he found out about Washburn's ouster this morning. He said he yet to speak with his former coach.
"I didn't see it coming, but I [saw] it coming for after the season because he would talk about little stuff -- that he might not be here after this year," Graham said.
Graham, who recorded a sack and a half in the Eagles' 38-33 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday night, confirmed that Washburn was upset when the Eagles released defensive end Jason Babin last week.
"I feel like that hurt him a little bit," Graham said. "From what I heard, he didn't know that they were releasing him until he was actually gone. I know that was one of his guys. ... I do think it got to him."
Actually, Fletcher Cox, Mike Patterson, Cullen Jenkins, Trent Cole, should be a dynamite line. Good idea to dump the wash and get another scheme in there. The old one wasn't working. Pretty good linebackers. Got to rebuild the secondary and it could be a damn good defense. Get the starting offensive line back. Run McCoy and Brown a lot. With the receiving corps they have, and the tight ends, you don't need a great quarterback. Fix the defensive secondary and you've got a very talented team that can win a lot of games. If Reid's gone, I have to believe a lot of coaches would like to come in and coach this team. A lot of talent on that roster.
— Midwest FA- Just keep Coleman in the game...we are sure to lose each game in which he plays.— 5thstrretpast
- Addition by subtraction.— cletisvandam
- If the Wide Nine was the problem, then why did Reid let it continue for so long? Another Reid bad decision or lack there of.— The Marco Islander
- Too bad we won those 4 meaningless games last year. We could've had a chance at RGIII. Then again, we probably wouldn't have had Vick for this year and that was a chance that wasn't worth taking.— Geno D
- I'd worry about yourself, Mr Graham, and leave the commentary to others.— PhillySubsMac
- Wide 9 turned into the 7 more— 2ndNlong
- Adios, gimmicks. Let's get back to physical, Eagles football instead of these gimmicky formations. Nix Mudd too and let Juan coach the o-line.— CoettaGarner25
- So, we cut Babin, and improved. We now have "cut" Washburn. If we keep improving every time we let someone go, we might actually win a couple of games, and blow our chances for a top 3, 2 or even THE #1 draft pick in 2013. Andy, Howie, Jeffy, please stop the madness! Please continue to LOSE!!!— Joeknows
- Marty your next!— NC Eagle Fan
- Dallas says "thank you" for keeping the "wide 9" for their game.— farley
- Nnamdi Awfulwa...hilarious!!!!— jamarder
- nizzies - when a reporter asked him the question and he gave an answer— John Klink
- When he was asked a question he gave an answer. The opposite of no one asking for your comment yet you gave one anyway.— Facts before ignorance
- "Wide 9" looked more like "wide 95", with all of the HUGE gaps that led to unobstructed runs to the defensive backfield. There is more interference with a clear road on 95 than the D line was able to generate with that scheme.
Comment removed.- How about we just appreciate that a player came out spoke to the media and gave out actual information that the fans would be interested in? Not just the standard BS say nothing lines. — Sidewinder7
- At leat Foles has a chance to show his worth. 3-13 and a top 3 pick?! "winning!"— 14 years of
- Aww, I'm gonna miss watching those opposition running backs bursting straight up the field, untouched for 25 yards.— Mike in LA
- When Greedy Gretchen is feeling particularly randy, she tells the Tonner to give her "the wide 9" and make her scream. So the Tonner does her 3 times and hits her with a pipe.
- Looking foward to someday getting a real saftey! lol — 14 years of
- It should forever be known as the "Spread Eagle Defense" - open wide and let'm run wild up the middle! — TongueWagger
