Juan Castillo explains what coaches learn from walk-throughs
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Juan Castillo explains what coaches learn from walk-throughs
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles go through walk-throughs every morning. Before Saturday afternoon’s practice, there was no contact in the afternoon practice. This is standard procedure and mandated by the collective bargaining agreement, but it begs the question of how the coaching staff – and particularly defensive coordinator Juan Castillo – can form evaluations of players or deduce anything from practice.
Castillo can, and he explained how after Saturday morning’s practice:
“The thing we are getting are assignments,” Castillo said. “That’s why you see us doing the walkthroughs. They’re excellent for [checking assignments]. Part of playing the game is knowing where you have to line up. That is critical and then they can just go play. The thing is to know your assignments so you can play fast. That’s what we are trying to get.”
Castillo said the key to playing defense is muscle memory. The more repetitions, the better the practice. So even in a walk-through, a player can get used to his assignments.
“You do it over and over until they become a natural deal and then you can play,” Castillo said. “If it’s not natural then it’s not going to happen on the field.”
Here are some other tidbits from Castillo's chat with reporters:
- Derek Landri is lining up with the first team, but Castillo continues to say the Eagles have four starters at both defensive tackle and defensive end:
“Just remember that the D-Line has two groups of starters. There are eight guys that play and sometimes nine depending on the situation so really there are eight starters. All of those defensive linemen are competing for those eight spots. What I like about him is that he is a tough guy. He is a guy that people think he can’t do that but he does do that. He is a professional, a leader and a no-nonsense type of guy and always trying to get better. That is a good example for all of the guys.”
- The Eagles drafted Brandon Graham before switching to Jim Washburn's style of defensive line play. Asked whether Graham can play in this system, Castillo said Graham is learning:
“I think just the technique and the concept is not really just the defensive ends running up the field. They have a landing point and a landmark. There is a certain way that they have to rush so that they can play the run game. That is the thing that Brandon is learning. Brandon has a chip on his shoulder. He came back in great shape and I’m excited to see him this afternoon.”
Castillo's reply wasn't "yes?" Well, blow me down!
Watch out now, LW. Juan Work-Hard is gonna give you a run for your money as top source for comical comments. Sadly, he isn't trying to be funny. And yet somehow, there it is. He's the gift that keeps giving.— mccloudmj- I like what the Eagles front office has done to address last years concerns on defense. I like the defensive players assembled this year. I think Juan is a great guy with the will and passion to be a success. But I have serious reservations if he can match up against a top notch NFL offensive coordinator on game day. I sincerely hope he proves me wrong for the sake of this team and it's direction, but I fear that Juan, in the end, is going to be our weakest link.— DelawareRiverRat
- I have no confidence in Juan. Nice guy and all, but I'm just not feeling it.— Geno D
- Juan has a "High Motor..."— outta work
- This is the first time that I read some quotes from Juan that he didn't get into his work hard monologue. I actually liked what he had to say, made some sense.— watsonmr
- "Castillo said the key to playing defense is muscle memory". Mr Bowles, please get ready for your next promotion!
— cooperhawk - WOW.............this guy just doesn't get it. I know, I know, he had a high rated defense last year. Sorry but the ranking was in spite of this clown and what difference does that make when the team ended up .500 and that was luck. Stats like that are for losers. Sorry, I just have no confidence in this guy no matter how hard he works— Unstable1
- Its amazing in just 1 years our line coaches are by far the best coaches on the team! That's great Bust is learning he still can't play!— Sam 52
- Sam 52 still hasn't seen a single practice but is calling Graham a bust. Yea, the player standing out the most in practice is learning he can't play. What a fool. Go to the team website during practice and you won't have to worry about looking for his number or wait for his name to be called. Kid is popping off the screen, but he's a total bust who is learning he can't play... Get a life.— papabear702
- Papa-wait until the games start. You will see that Graham is, in fact, a bust — coloradoeagle
- Juan means well, he works hard, but he is over-matched. The eagles defense finished in the top half of the league in 2011 despite Juan's inadequacies. That had more to do with Washburn's unit than anything Juanderful did as DC. Never fear, Juanderful is back this season working 25 hour days and writing his own appendix to "NFL Defenses for Dummies."— coloradoeagle
- Dying on the comments. Yall are crazy.— Zeru
- hard to believe you guys survive in life— dwilly
- Did Juan come up with this all by himself, or did he get help from Washburn and Bowles?— ej610
