Is Castillo now safe?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Is Castillo now safe?
Jonathan Tamari
(Don Wright/AP)
So the Eagles won’t get Steve Spagnuolo. Does that mean Juan Castillo is safe?
There’s an argument to be made that unless you can get a slam-dunk improvement, you stick with Castillo and hope the late season defensive improvement was real. The best reason to do that is continuity. Another change and the Eagles will be on their fourth defensive coordinator in five years.
But continuity is only a positive if you’re continuing something good. Continuity is a factor, but it’s not the only one.
You can point to a whole bunch of different factors to make an argument for or against Castillo (i.e. five blown leads vs. late year improvement). But the only opinions that mater are the ones at NovaCare, and the Eagles’ body language has not indicated that Castillo is their top choice.
If Reid was dead set on bringing back Castillo, there was no reason not to say so by now. The team’s silence points strongly to them considering a change. Why let their coach twist in the wind for no reason?
Reid was offered several chances during the season to endorse Castillo, and didn’t. Jeffrey Lurie gave us a list of people who would be back. It included Reid, Joe Banner and Howie Roseman. He allowed that DeSean Jackson might return under the right circumstances. But when he was asked if Castillo would return, he punted.
That says something. When a boss in any field – sports, business, politics – is asked to give a vote of confidence to an employee, the only move is to give it, unless you’re actually considering a switch. Declining to back your own people undermines their standing. The Eagles know that. That's why, within days of the season’s end, Lurie put to rest the speculation about Reid.
Again, if Castillo was back no matter what, there was zero upside in refusing to say so. But there have been questions around Castillo since midway through the season, and the Eagles have never dispelled them.
It doesn’t take much reading between the lines to see that they have at least explored their options. Reid has not held his normal end of season wrap up precisely because last year he backed Sean McDermott in public even though he was planning to fire him. The Eagles (wisely) wanted to avoid a similar situation of having to address the media while moves were still in flux.
(Some argued to me on Twitter that since Reid’s endorsements of McDermott didn’t mean a lot, that it doesn’t mean anything that he hasn’t backed Castillo. These are two different situations. If you’re firing a guy, maybe you hide that for a bit to help him save face and get a new gig. But if you are intent on KEEPING a coach, and believe fully in him, there’s no reason to be quiet about that, especially when people are calling for his head).
This is not to say Castillo should be gone, or is gone. That decision is up to the Eagles, and even if they want to make a change (as I think they do), the uncertainty around Reid’s future might make it hard to lure a hot assistant to Philly. Maybe Spags was never an option. From what I can tell the Eagles haven’t talked to anyone about it – locally, nationally, inter-galactically or otherwise.
But Spagnuolo is hardly the only defensive coach in the NFL, and there’s nothing that says the Eagles had to make a decision by now. They didn’t announce Castillo’s hire until the week of the Super Bowl last season. Other teams are still looking for head coaches. Four pretty good teams are still playing - their staffs could be intriguing.
It's possible that now Reid talks to the press and says Castillo was his guy all along (though I'd doubt it would happen so fast - if only because of appearances so close to Spags' deal). But I think it's more likely the Eagles were looking and keep looking. Just because one big name came off the market, doesn't mean that would have to stop.
Comments (70)
I dont care what they do just win a SUPER BOWL for once.— urbnasty- Juan will be back one more year because Reid gave McDermott one year to prove himself. Marty will leave for college (c-ya), we bring back Brad Childress and sign two LB's coming off MAJOR knee surgeries (of course). Make a 14th attempt to catch lightning in a bottle in the college draft and sign Edwards as back-up QB who played (past tense) for the Bills (who?)DJAX will be a 49er because the Eagle FO is too proud to sign him. Asante' will be gone for what? More draft choices because they think they will eventually catch that lightning. They are masters at selling false hope and we all bought some. This never gets old........— NC Eagle Fan
- I really like your comment Lockyer! I've said it before they share many traits of the 76er's. Young .500 teams with great players and coaching. Strikes affected both teams the Eagles ended up picking up some great players. If not for the turnover diff. they would prob. still be playing :P. Players input at the end of a season is a consideration & think most believe in him. Regardless how people perceive Juan he bleeds (aka - crazy headbutt) for his players - and they respect that fire! Can he work with Washborn & can Washborn get along with Marty are the real questions ;) With Mudd seeming smug & with new knees might help keep things together & Andy is a very good head coach should have a nice bounce back year - like the 76er's :D - best wishes to both!— highfive
- where is andrew? when will he talk to the fans?— Pete60
- Hey Lurie if your not a able to make needed change, SELL THE TEAM!— Lil Ratman
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Girly men eagles reporters (and some fans) like girly men coaches like Spag. Not all but they know who they are. They shake in their shoes when they have to talk to a real man like Juan Castillo.
— Dallasrulez - Thank God Spag the Loser is not coming here. We have a TOP 10 D and he would have brought us down. I'll bet the Saints don't have a TOP 10 D next year— Dallasrulez
- Once again the Fat Man waited to long for his ship to come in that his pier collapsed— allan1938
- I am so glad Reid is not reporting his every thought to the media to be more specific the Philly media. For some reason they feel as if Reid owes them. They like to pretend its for the benefit of the fans when in reality its for their own selfish benefit. I'm a fan and can wait until Reid says what changes will be made with the team. But until the day he does all this speculation by the media is just that speculation nothing more. Actually I hope that when he does give an interview it will not be the media in Philly, because all the Philly media does is stir up a bunch of controversy.
This team really doesn't need a lot of changes with the exception of the linebacker position, and a good back for Vick.— charmaine - why would spags come here with lurie making it clear he was going to clean house with another season like this last one? if he does clean house look for him to be head coach for 2013...— jjjimjjj
- All is well...Pee Wee Roseman & Joey Nickels are still making decisions. Start planning the parade. After all, they are the gold standard in NFL management. All is well.— kelprod2
- Personally I'd like to see the Eagles hire Eric Mangini as defensive coordinator, allowing Castillo to learn behind him as a DB's coach. It appears to work because Mangini is still getting a paycheck, so we could get him on the cheap, from the Cleveland Browns and when Big Red gets fired after this season he can go right back to ESPN. Also lets remember he is known for his defensive prowess and also knows how to draft studs, i.e, Darrelle Revis and Nick Mangold.— aalston21
- what difference does it make?...this team is jinxed...with good talent and horrendous management— 1stamendment
- Definition of insanity.....doing the same thing and expecting a different result. C'mom man!— blchops08
- Maybe Juan will see a linebacker he loves at the senior bowl and convince Andy to draft him with # 15, yeah right!!!— Eaglehaslanded
- I don't see any DC worth their salt coming here; as has been noted, Reid has one year left on his deal. Lurie could well throw up his hands after another season of status quo (which I foresee) and let Reid and his staff of cronies go. On the other hand, the old bottom line looks pretty good--who cares how many games this team wins, as long as the fans keep coming to the Linc and buying, buying, buying? Lurie will have his boys play with the salary cap, play with the draft picks and play with the play-calling to heart's content, as long as the balance sheet is in the black. No change? No problem, there.— MidStaterUXB
Just maybe Andy has not had a press conference because he is continuing to "pay back" the Philly media for their behavior, I continue to be amazed at the "experts" who are in the Philly media. They obviously have years of valuable and successful experience coaching world class athletes and know much more than AR. All he has done is develop consistent winning teams.
Of course this year was a disappointment. If I were AR I'd likely behave just like him in press conferences. Who would want to communicate with a bunch of pompous jerks who refuse to acknowledge accomplishments. FIRE ANDY .... they scream... yeah, let's go back to those great old days of Joe Kuharik ...
I'm sick of the negative press in this town and clearly Andy is way sicker. I don't blame him.- lets get a new owner, one that has balls!!— getreal1
- AS THE EAGLES TURN!! WHAT A JOKE!!!— getreal1
Comment removed.- The thrill of the possibilities is gone for next year if Juan stays. He has no clue. look at the adjustments our opponets made at halftime. Why do you think that we lost 5 4th quarter leads? We lost games with turnovers and poor special team play too. Plus, how about the option pass by Brown at the one yard line? Nice call Marty. Nothing is going to change. Look at our schedule next year...MUCH TOUGHER. 8-8 here we come again. The only good thing about that, is the house will be cleaned and we can start over. It's time for a fresh start. IT WAS A FUN RUN, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ON A DOWNHILL SLIDE.— usedtobefromphilly
- We should try to target Eric Mangini. He was already rumored earlier in the season that have been approached to be an adviser for the defense. Listening to him on ESPN, you can tell how much he knows about defense. Also, the fact that he use to coach for the Patriots when their defense was actually good doesn't hurt. The only issue would be that I think he coached a 3-4 defense, but he could always choose to leave it the same just as the Falcons new head coach chose to do.— ob2012
- Keep Castillo, a 2nd year with the same system invaluable.
Get a top nothch LB, and yes a decent journeyman QB, improve
the safety situatiion.— Willysoup - All of this doesn't matter. We are going to be a mediocre team for at least the next 2-3 years (until Reid and Vick are gone). If the Redskins get Peyton Manning, we'll be last in the NFC for a good while. You cannot win with midgets on either side of the ball. Anybody watch the elite teams, particularly the size of their receivers? Then compare them to ours. We had a nice run for a decade. It's over for the foreseeable future.— DallasEagle
- Spags was never coming to the Birds......No DC worth his salt would take a job where the D-Line coach dictates the defensive scheme,unless he his desperate for a job.— chops10
- Spags was never coming to the Birds......No DC worth his salt would take a job where the D-Line coach dictates the defensive scheme,unless he his desperate for a job.— chops10
In the Reid regime, only one thing counts...loyalty to Andy. Performance, winning, playoffs mean nothing, its only about being loyal to Fatman. As long as there are no waves from players or coaches, Reid knows he is safe. Better to keep an incompetent LOYAL coach then to risk my job.— Kioto- Correct me if I'm wrong, but has Reid given ANY of his assistants a "vote of confidence"? The offense led the league in turnovers but nobody thinks Morningwig is on the hot seat. The specials teams were lousy and nobody is talking about April getting the axe. The FO hasn't publicly stated they are looking for another DC that I know of. So why WOULD Reid sprecifically endorse Castillo? Maybe they kicked the tires for Spags and maybe they didn't. Either way, the only ones that say Castillo is in danger are the media!— irish72
- Do the fans who write things like "Everyone in the league know Reid is on a short leash" have any idea what they are talking about? Reid is the longest tenured coach in NFL. Lurie is committed to him. Since 2009 there were 11 coaches hired..I believe 8 have been fired already NFL stands for Not For Long....unless your Andy and the Eagles. The Eagles pay assistant coaches very well and Reid is very loyal That goes a long way in NFL.— mcat13
- if castillo cant do the job, you dont wait until you have a replacement lined up to can him...even if castillo knew what he was doing and had the experience to make in-game decisions, the weakness and linebacker and safety would be too much for most coordinators to overcome. castillo's hiring would have only made sense for a team building up to trying to win 3 years down the road..its just a sad state of affairs, and leaves you with no enthusiasm whatsover for the upcoming season..mccoy can lead the league in rushes..we could lead the league in points, babin could lead the league in sacks..but reid/castillo/safeties/linebackers just too much to overcome to get where fans want to go. we knew it last year, and its status quo for this year..nice job Jeff— jim715
- I WISH FAT ANDREW WOULD COME OUT OF HIBERNATION.
— Pete60 - If McDermott wasn't given the benefit of a doubt why would Castillo? McDermott at least had experience on that side of the ball.— Rappeezy
- Two things: what does it mean when you put a whole paragraph in parens:
(Some argued to me on Twitter that since Reid’s endorsements of McDermott didn’t mean a lot, that it doesn’t mean anything that he hasn’t backed Castillo. These are two different situations. If you’re firing a guy, maybe you hide that for a bit to help him save face and get a new gig. But if you are intent on KEEPING a coach, and believe fully in him, there’s no reason to be quiet about that, especially when people are calling for his head).
and
Can you argue using 147 characters and Twitter. Why do I feel like a tool even asking a question about Twitter....
— roddieb - Stupid speculation, all of it. If they want to improve on defense and have some 'continuity', they might start by getting some linebackers and safeties that can play.— PhillySubsMac
- To the people who think it doesn't make any sense for Reid to stay quiet all this time if Castillo was coming back, just look at it from Reid's point of view. He wasn't going to fire Castillo until he had someone else on board. So, the only thing he could say immediately after the season, or since, was that Castillo was returning. He would have been avalanched for that. So by waiting, Castillo isn't twisting in the wind, he knows he's coming back. Reid isn't getting killed every day in the comments sections. And reasons for keeping Castillo keep showing up in print to make Reid's job of explaining himself easier to a public that has already been partially prepared for the announcement. It's simple human nature and psychology.— calm weather
- Stop already with the rankings! How did that 8th ranked defense fare in those blown 4th quarter games? They padded their stats in the last 4 games against slop.— R U Kidding Me
- Should have kept McDermott. He did just a good with less talent.(or just as bad)— R U Kidding Me
- I'm not thrilled with this past season, but for you folks that insist on ditching Reid. Just remember where the team came from. Unless it's the right coach replacing him. You will all be screaming for the head of his replacement after one year...then it will be someone else's fault. Jut be a fan. The organization doesn't own you anything. If you feel so strongly about a Super Bowl winner, go be a Patriots, Giants or Saints fan. Personally, I'm tired of reading the disrespectful posts on here day after. So wit hthat...this will be the last one I read and comment on. Sorry az mofos— PhillyFanSouth
- It's entirely possible Andy wants out after next season and may have communicated that to Spagnuolo, they have the same agent. Andy could have another head coaching job in the NFL if he wanted but I see him eventually going back to Bringham Young.— Will T.
- When was Juan's job ever in doubt? Remember this is the Eagles we're talking about, where there is NO accountability (except for a Player whose Daughter has Leukemia) for anyone at any time for any shortcoming. Besides Juan's unspectacular return, the next brainfart for this joke of a team will be the Draft. This time Juan will use his vast Defensive experience to assist the Bean Counter select the next busts at #s 1 and 2. Surprise, none of the 1st 3 picks will be Linebackers as Andy would rather give up the last Twinkie than pass on a Defensive End or an Offensive Lineman!— younged
- 1ST PICK WILL BE A CORNER......WATCH AND SEE.....DEF WONT BE A LB,DE,O-LINEMAN,OR EVEN A SAFETY.....I WOULDNT BE SURPRISED IF THEY EVEN DRAFTED A KICKER CAUSE THATS THE STUPID STUFF THEY DO... — devilhawk51
- SORRY ISNT GONNA GET RID OF JUAN— devilhawk51
- HE IS SO SAFE ITS MAKES ME WANNA THROW UP....ANDY PLAN IS WORKING...HE IS GONNA GET RID OF JUAN CAUSE HE DOESNT WANNA ADMIT HE WAS WRONG ABOUT MAKING HIM THE DC....YOU WATCH COME DRAFT TIME ILL BET THAT THEY WILL DRAFT A CORNER 1ST BEFORE THEY DRAFT A LB...IM TELLING YOU HE IS GONNA MAKE THIS 14 YEAR A TOTAL WRECK...YOU WATCH...THINK ABOUT IT WHAT WOULD YOU DRAFT 1ST CORNER OR LB....THIS SEASON IS GONNA BE THE HIGH LITE ON ESPN AND COMCAST AND ALL SPORTS TV AND RADIO WATCH AND SEE......— devilhawk51
- SORRY ALL I MENT TO SAY ISNT GONNA GET RID OF JUAN — devilhawk51
- The only reason Eagles' fans want Castillo gone is his ethnicity. Everytime people criticize the Eagles' defense, they have to throw in a racial slur against Hispanics. There is no doubt many Eagles fans are Republicans, because Republicans have no shame in their hatred of all minorities (as well as gays too). If Castillo were white, people would laud him for their continued improvement. Instead, they treat himt he same way they treat the black president, disgracefully.— eldiablodelsol2009
- And Lurie only commented on people coming back that he had say on. All front office personnel are his call. All player conracts are always "pending owner approval". The coaching staff is Reid's area.— scootch
- Reid lies every time he talks. If they keep Castillo as DC, I hope the Eagles lose every game next year.— oneway
- Maybe Reid hasn't said anything because he is contemplating resigning as coach. He was given an ultimatum and maybe he didn't like it. Seems like there may be a rift between front office and coach.— scootch
- PLEASE stop bringing up the "8th ranked defense" bull. I believe that before we played the last four games, the defense was near the lower mid-tier. You throw four teams that had either weak offenses (Miami, Washington, and Jets), or were resting players for the next week against playoff teams (Dallas). Do you think if we would have finished the season playing NE, SF, Chic, and Atl we would have won all four games? Please, this defense gave up a record FIVE 4th quarter leads! Only in the crazy world inside of the NovaCare Complex would this be tolerated! He should have been fired in week 7 or 8! And Reid should have been kicked out of the locker room after the last game!— gdibig
- Comment removed.
- It's not the end of the world if they give Juan another. To start over with another DC is taking a step back. Next year is the tell year for Andy, MV and Juan to name a few. Get some D PLAYERS in the draft that can help and lets see what happens. If it goes south again then it's time to make whole sales changes.— delcodanno
- Looks like Juan more year of not winning the super bowl.— Tyrone Biggums
- If your reasoning is correct, that saying nothing about a coach means contemplating a change, then Mornhinweg and April are both in as much trouble as Costillo. You could blame Mornhinweg for lack of success in the Red Zone and April for extremely poor punt and kickoff returns. Everyone is just guessing right now and the only opinion that matter is Andys. I say stay pat, get a few better players in key positions and make the playoffs next year.— chucksf
- Upside to not saying Castillo was definitely coming back: Some very vocal fans will be less irate if they think the Eagles went after other coordinators or considered other changes.
Since when is Spagnuolo a slam dunk anyway?— drog - It was/is always JC....JoeB is giving Andy more rope and hopes he makes it, but if he doesn't he can hang him high....and then find a cheap college coach....as his valet, trades down, gathers 5th and 6th round draft choices and then picks long shots.....so Joe wins either way.....Andy gets lucky and we make the playoffs or we lose and he gets to save money.......Lurie is pleased and the real players and the fans get their dreams crushed agian.— nuggett
- you can post your rankings (8th in the league) of the defense all you want and try to use that ranking as a barometer for success..use your eyes..this is not a good defense and they are awful in the red zone...— rothstein12
- I am not sure Castillo was ever in trouble. Andy knows more than any of us. Just ask him.— coloradoeagle
- Not sure why all the Reid haters wanted Spags anyway. If he did improve the D it only means that it's more likely Reid would have been kept on after next year. If they really want Reid to get axed it's better to have a total disaster and leave Lurie no choice. The downside is that the team would be in total disarray and take years to recover.— tpizza
- Whatever they do they need to add at least two quality LB's and a solid Safety! Sign Jackson so they don't have to use an early draft pick on WR and be positioned to be able to draft an LB or S!— connorjr
- Eagles 8th overall D... Rams 22nd. Just saying— fman727
If Reid was dead set on bringing back Castillo, there was no reason not to say so by now. The team’s silence points strongly to them considering a change. Why let their coach twist in the wind for no reason?
Why do these reporters think Reid has to tell them his every move? How do you know that Reid hasn't spoken to Castillo and told him he is going to be the DC going forward? If I were Reid I wouldn't tell these reporters anything either. Get ready for Mobile, Alabama Juan and target a MIKE and a SAM that will help in the wide 9 alignment.- After Lurie's schizo presser a few weeks back, I am convinced that Reid will be back for at least two years, and, at his side, his trusty pal, Juan Castillo. The Land Whale helped make Lurie the Schnorrer a BILLIONAIRE, and if Andy wants his Juan, that's what we will get. Castillo is the perfect fall guy for Reid - you could not script this any better.— NM Eagle fan
- I think Reid is simply tired of the press in Philly. I don't think he plans to change anything with the coaches. They were 5 - 1 in the division. They should have won it. But for a few bonehead plays they would have been in the playoffs. Does anyone really believe the Giants are a better team? Pick up a few more linebackers, a kick returner and draft a good QB prospect. That's all they need to do.— Lockyer
- "...There’s an argument to be made that unless you can get a slam-dunk improvement, you stick with Castillo..." So why did they fire McDermott then? It's not like they had a slam-dunk improvement behind him. I'm not sticking up for McDermott, I'm just ready to move on from the Andy Reid/Joe Banner regime. I know it won't happen but things have just gotten stale down there. The decision making has been very spotty across the board the past couple years. Just more evidence that there is no consistency.
— DennyP - I think the players respond to Juan and like him. I do not think that was the case with Sean. Also, the D was ranked higher than almost all of Spags' defenses in New York and Saint Louis. Spags looked like a genius in New York because he knew the Eagles system inside out. He was exposed in Saint Louis. The turnovers by the offense killed the season. — Lockyer
- I can only wonder if they have their eye on someone still involved with the playoffs. Really I think Castio is back, the same roadblocks exist this year that led to Castio getting the job. HC on the hot seat, and dictated wide nine.— chham57
- The Eagles decided early on that they had two viable possibilities in terms of who would lead their defense in 2012. They were either going to stay with Castillo, who got better as the year progressed and is more in sync with Washburn's wide-9, or they would make a change if they thought they could improve the position. The only person who fit the bill in that scenario was Steve Spagnuolo. Their first choice was Spagnuolo, and that is why there was no comment from Andy Reid. Now that Spag is in New Orleans (the smart choice for him) the Eagles will announce a press conference with Andy and he will confirm that Castillo is going to be the defensive coordinator going forward, in that condescending, it is what it is fashion that the Philly media and most fans have come to expect and loathe. Probably will not happen until next week, during the week off between the Championship games and the Super Bowl, so as to get more PR, but Castillo has most likely already been informed so as not to be "twisting in the wind" as the media continues to imply he is doing. That's the reality of the situation. Let's hope they resign Jackson, extend McCoy, find a suitable backup QB, and draft some guys who can play defense before the 2012 season begins.— topwonk
- Comment removed.
- I think he "endorsed" J.Castillo by saying that he will be attending the senior bowl.. wonderful...(sarcastic)
— docboy - The Eagles will have a hard time convincing a good D coordinator to join them. Reid is in his last contract year and after Lurie's press conference, Reid may not get a new contract. A new coach may come in after next season and clean house. And that isn't an attractive situation for a new hire.— philly57
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