Report: Spagnuolo to join Saints
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Report: Spagnuolo to join Saints
Jonathan Tamari
Steve Spagnuolo has agreed to join the Saints as their new defensive coordinator, according to a report from FOX Sports' Jay Glazer.
Spagnuolo was high on the wish list of many Eagles fans hoping for a change to Andy Reid's defensive staff, but he has instead taken a job with a team that reached the NFC Divisional playoff round, but needs to improve on D.
It's unclear still if the Eagles ever reached out to Spagnuolo, a former Reid assistant. The team has not commented at all on potential coaching moves.
Whether they still try to make a change on defense is unclear. Owner Jeffrey Lurie has said any decisions on the coaching staff are up to Reid, who has not spoken to the media since the last game of the Eagles season.
Lurie has made the only comments from management since the season ended, and he seemed to lay the groundwork for a defensive shake-up, dismissing the Eagles' improvement over their last four games and saying current defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was not the team's first choice. He would comment one way or the other on Castillo's fate, but the team's silence seems to indicate that they are exploring their options on defense. Lurie notably endorsed Joe Banner, Howie Roseman and Reid, but not Castillo.
Reid was offered several chances to back Castillo as the season wound down, but never did so, even as rumors swirled about the coordinator's future. If the head coach was sure he wanted Castillo back, it would be hard to imagine why he would not have said so by now and ended speculation about Castillo's job.
The defense had a significant influx of talent but lost five fourth quarter leads and ranked 17th in yards allowed and 22nd in points through 12 games. After that they improved to 8th in yards and 10th in points, but against suspect competition.
This offseason feels like deja vu all over again.
I actually think the birds are better off sticking with Juan, but leaving him hang this long doesn't seem right; situation looks mishandled, imo...— Mr. Magee- Good, didn't want him. Overrated with just one good SB year and it wasn't even the Giant's D that won that game. Manning and the lucky catch won the game.— chucksf
- Have you lost your mind? The defense definitely won that game. They shut down the undefeated Pats, including Brady and Moss.
Certainly, the lucky catch was a big play, but that was only one play. Besides, Manning had his eyes closed when he threw that pass.— Lonewolf11 - Good, didn't want him. Overrated with just one good SB year and it wasn't even the Giant's D that won that game. Manning and the lucky catch won the game.— chucksf
- I am thinking the Eagles had someone different in mind, even if it is Casti. Spags coming back here was only speculation, so this is no surprise.— PhillyFanSouth
Comment removed.- You are a moron chucksf. The D won that game. Do yourself a favor and never post again so you can hide your idiotic thinking.— Spider Rico
- You snooze we lose as usual. Reid=LOSER. Didnt even bring him in for an interview.This just goes to show you its reids way or the highway. Another year of juan.— nonshad
- Spags would have cost too much and would have been potentially a different voice in an organization that wants no dissent whatsoever. This will be AR's justification for keeping Soupy, our unqualified DC, in the same role for 2012. Now we can look forward to watching the lawyer/capologist/accountant blow the upcoming draft. It really has become groundhog day for our supposed NFL franchise.— coloradoeagle
- Mornhinweg will leave for greener pastures, Castillo becomes OC and the Birds bring in a new DC. The offense will go scoreless thru the first 12 games, but score 400 points in the final 4 games against terrible teams to prove that the Eagles are on the right track for 2013.— wahoo
- hilarious — coloradoeagle
- Spags will be the Eagles head coach in 2013.— Spider Rico
- Dave Spadaro for DC he once coached defense in high school and he coordinates a web page. Spuds not spags— bababooey2yall
- In Luries yesr end speech, he talked about "circumstances" preventing the Eagles from hiring certain defensive coaches last year for the coordinators job. What are the circumstances this year? That they already have a DC in place in Juan? I think thats his answer.— watsonmr
- Is Andy alive? Saints get bounced from the divisional round and promptly begin making changes to improve their team. Reid takes a vacation. Dear God, please let this be the last year of Reid— pflynn20
