Reid: McDermott will be back
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Reid: McDermott will be back
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Andy Reid said that defensive coordinator Sean McDermott will be back next season for the Eagles.
"You're dealing with a guy that's a tremendous worker and is a very smart individual," Reid said Monday, the day after the Eagles' season ended with a 21-16 loss to the Packers in the playoffs. "And so, I look at it a little bit different than you do. In that I've seen him work with young guys, I've seen him work through injuries, I've seen him stay positive through those situations, and still put us in a position to win football games.
"And know that he's going to do nothing but improve as a coach, just like all of us, with experience. I got a lot of respect for him and the way he does business."
McDermott, in his second season in charge of the defense, had to deal with a number of significant injuries to his unit. He lost six of his 11 starters at various points in the season. But even McDermott would have to admit that his defense underperformed this season. It allowed 31 passing touchdowns -- the worst number in Reid's 12 seasons -- and had the worst red zone percentage in the NFL since 1988.
"The problems? You can't say the scheme because they give you a play and you have to go out there and execute it," Eagles linebacker Moise Fokou said. "And if you want to blame it on personnel, then blame it on the player. But I don't think it was ... I don't know. You got me stuck. We just didn't execute as well as we thought we would. I think we had some shining moments here and there."
But what if the scheme isn't right?
"Come on, the scheme's not always going to be perfectly correct," Fokou said. "Sometimes you're going to make a mistake here and there and things are going to happen. You're never going to play a perfect game. Let me put it like that."
McDermott rose up through the ranks with the Eagles under Reid. Initially an assistant to Reid, McDermott then became a defensive coach, working mostly with linebackers and the secondary, until he was named coordinator in July, 2009 shortly before his predecessor, Jim Johnson, died.
argh...i was hoping that i would be reading today that mcdermott was let go of his duties. reid has too much loyalty to his assistants.— PhillyfanstuckinVa- We will never have a good defense with McDermott as our defensive cordinator. This guy is absolutely horrible. He can't make adjustments in games. In fact he is the number one reason we have had early playoff exits the last two seasons. We have the worst redzone defense in the history of the NFL, yet we are going to keep him? This guy is a joke! We will never win a superbowl this way. Why can't we switch the a 3-4 defense? I'm tired of this undersized defense that always comes up short in big games!— ChrisM
Comment removed.- Disappointing— Obie74
- A big part of the problem is that the Eagles are just TOO SMALL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL! When you can't get a decent pass rush going vs. a good QB your secondary is going to have a l-o-n-g day. That said, coming in dead last in Red Zone D (and worst % since 1988 to boot) should be grounds for dismissal. Think about that for minute - the worst Red Zone D in 22 years!!!— F. Harry Stowe
- Its good to see that Andy treats his interns well and stays loyal the 5 or 6 years he will need to grow into the position. Im also happy to see that Rory Seagrest has officially failed at two coaching positions. As the D-line coach, I guess there was no talent to be found in 2010 pro bowlers Cleamons and Babin.— rvb2321
- This says it all....I knew about Babin...and saw that talent last year....but didnt know about Clemons...23.5 sacks between them....good thing we kept Parker...what a shame...put them two on this club and this Dee is on point!
- Comment removed.
- Why is Howie Roseman not getting talked about. His draft last year turned out to be a disaster. Graham was so so to begin with and tore his ACL (should of picked Earl Thomas) Nate Allen was decent but he tore his patella. Now those two won't 100% until 2012. Then he [Roseman] spends a million picks on undersized DL who didn't even sniff the field. Every trade or FA they brought in was a bust. Simms, Tapp, Jackson It's not all Mcdermott's fault. This defense aside from Asante has zero playmakers. McDermott can't expect to work miracles with 2nd rate players. This organization needs a football minded "GM" not some fancy pants bean counter that helps the team win the salary cap super bowl every year. If the seriously want to be Super Bowl contenders next season they better pull off some trades and finally bring in some FA's that are studs. Signing CB Nnamdi Asomugha would be a great start...— pflynn20
- you nailed it. someone in the front office needs to have some accountability over these drafts. you cannot win in this league with a bunch of 230-270 lb defensive lineman. McDermott may not be the best defensive coordinator in the league but he could have more talent to work with. — coloradoeagle
- Reid has to go first, no new head coach would keep Mcdermott. Face it the Eagles are just going to be losers with Reid there.— JKJ
- @ player - I disagree, not every player was as pitiful as Wells. I feel Tapp exceeded expectations, which did not include being the first option at the DE position. Agree regarding the Graham and Allen picks, not a fan of either of those guys and Allen is less of an impact player as either of the comparable first round safetys. See Graham as a future bust.
Was also hoping to wake up to reading McDerMUTT having been handed his walking papers...he is a huge weakness, IMO. I don't want to hear about injuries, Johnson had a 300+lb Levan Kirkland as MLB one year, replacements such as Mike Labinjo and the always popular banjo man out there so...EVERYBODY has injuries...every team.
Must get better at all defensive back positions, very weak starters.
-not bob levy— remyy - McDermott was not the problem with the defense. It is the front office and the coach not having playmakers on the defense for the defensive coordinator to work with. Reid knows the team needs to upgrade the talent on the defense that is why he is keeping McDermott. However, heading into the strike year, will the Eagles try to upgrade the personnel on defense? This was the worst defense talent wise since Reid was hired as the Eagles coach.— RunningTheBases
- Unfortunately, so will Reid. But on the bright side, I'll again have some free time as I can no longer stomach watching a Reid coached team.— txflyer
- Reid also said at the beginning of last offseason that McNabb was not going anywhere. There is still hope!— oharabri
