Is Trgovac an Eagles DC candidate?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Is Trgovac an Eagles DC candidate?
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
With Jim Mora all but signed in Denver -- although you have to wonder what's taking so long -- and with Dick Jauron reportedly in Cleveland interviewing with the Browns, the pool of available defensive coordinators for the Eagles to snatch up seems to be dwindling.
But one hot name keeps resurfacing, at least among reporters and fans: Mike Trgovac.
The Packers defensive line coach hasn't been mentioned as one of the Eagles' top candidates partly because they wouldn't be able to interview him at the earliest until Monday. If Green Bay beats Chicago in the NFC Championship, the Eagles would have to wait until after the Super Bowl to talk with Trgovac about their defensive coordinator opening.
If he is indeed their top choice then the Eagles-reading Nation is in store for a lot of filler stories about the search until Andy Reid and company can interview the former Carolina defensive coordinator.
A league source with knowledge of the Eagles' thinking said that the team would likely see how things play out with their top three options -- Mora, Jauron and former Cardinals defensive coordinator Billy Davis -- before considering Trgovac.
The 51-year-old, on the surface, would appear to be a fit in Philadelphia. For one, he coached here before as the defensive line coach from 1995-98 under head coach Ray Rhodes. So owner Jeffrey Lurie and president Joe Banner are familiar with Trgovac.
He's also had success before as a coordinator. During his six-year stint in Carolina, the Panthers reached the playoffs three times and the Super Bowl once. Trgovac's game plan had a lot to do with Carolina stuffing the Eagles in a 2003 NFC championship victory. The Panthers went on to lose to the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Trgovac also favors a 4-3 scheme, one that Reid is said to want to keep after he fired Sean McDermott last week.
There are a number of other coaches with defensive backgrounds still unemployed. Former Bears and Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt is among them. He is expected to also speak with the Browns about their opening.
But one thing is for sure: The choice isn't likely to be made any time soon. Reid is currently vacationing in the Caribbean (we think). A team spokesman could not confirm where the head coach had gone for his break. He isn't expected back until the end of the week.
Stay tuned.
Notice how the Eagles haven't actually made any kind of announcement as to who their candidates are. The only names mentioned so far are the ones by these reporters speculating. Honestly I wouldn't read anything into any of these names mentioned so far. Wannstedt is waiting in the weeds somewhere- So let me get this straight. Reid supposedly fires his DC while on vacation with no one waiting in the wings and remains on vacation while all the other teams with the same need are interviewing DCs? This doesn't feel right. If it's true that Banner/Roseman were really the ones who fired McDermott, then Reid has to be ticked. It wouldn't surprise me if this doesn't result in Reid not coming back as HC. This thing could come to a head.....— greenflyer
- Very good point about Banner/Roseman actually pulling the trigger on McDermott. Reid might be sick of being the sacrificial face of stupid draft day trade downs, stupid "we're smarter than you" drafting and other roster moves. Reid is the total loyal soldier. But everyone has his breaking point.
— Nuutron - good point greenflyer, something seems fishy here. reid might be taking some personal time to decide what he wants to do for his own future.
Comment removed.- Now here's a guy with a proven track record as a DC. of course fat andy wanted 3 losers 1st.— hititwheretheyaint
I like Trgovac's pedigree, better than the others. I hope he's the one.- Mike Trgovak would be fine- in fact, any of the assistant coaches among the "Final Four" would make sense!— southphilly42
Trgovac has to be the guy.— Mr. Smith- I heard that Reid called Banner after the Mcdermott firing and threatened to quit. He had been offered the Villanova HC job as the school goes back to Division 1A football. The Eagles were afraid of losing Reid therefore they have decided to sign Reid to a 6 year extension at about $7.5 million/year. This monumental deal will be announced as soon as Reid gets from his vacation in China.— tommy_the_k
- Comment removed.
- They should be interviewing the packers KEVIN GREEN! We need some new blood! flybirdsfly— socalbirdsfan
After careful consideration, Mike Trgovac would seem be a solid defensive coordinator for the 'birds'; grab him 'big red' johnnyu
Not sure where Reid is vacationing, but there's a report of a beached whale in Montego Bay.— ej610
