Reports: Falcons could target Spagnuolo
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Reports: Falcons could target Spagnuolo
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Even before Steve Spagnuolo officially got fired by the Rams, it was clear he'd have options for his next career move.
This morning, via Twitter, ESPN's Chris Mortensen mentioned that the Atlanta Falcons would "love to land" Spagnuolo. Meanwhile, Jim Trotter of SI.com says Spagnuolo is "definitely" No. 1 on the Falcons' wish list.
Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder recently left to assume the same post in the college ranks at Clemson.
D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution recently mentioned Jack Del Rio's name as a possibility in Atlanta also. Falcons coach Mike Smith served as Del Rio's defensive coordinator from 2003-2007 in Jacksonville.
In Philadelphia, Spagnuolo may be asked to work with Jim Washburn's system. Then again, the Eagles could decide to part ways with Washburn. In Atlanta, there seems to be no such issue, although Smith is a defensive head coach and surely has his own ideas for that side of the ball. Both the Eagles and Falcons know they need to get past Aaron Rodgers and/or Drew Brees to make noise in the playoffs, which likely makes Spagnuolo such an attractive candidate.
Meanwhile, by my count, there are currently four openings for head coaches: Miami, Oakland, Tampa and St. Louis. That could likely mean four openings for defensive coordinators (although the Rams opening obviously doesn't directly relate to Spagnuolo) as the new hires shape their respective staffs.
Meanwhile, Mike Mularkey was just hired by the Jags, but he will need to decide on a defensive coordinator. The Chiefs will keep Romeo Crennel as their head coach, although their plans at defensive coordinator are unclear. And the Colts named Eagles director of player personnel Ryan Grigson their new general manager, so we'll have to wait and see what they do with their coaching staff.
Speaking of Grigson, a couple people on Twitter - most notably Sam from IgglesBlitz.com and Albert Breer of NFL Network - mentioned the possibility of Marty Mornhinweg joining Grigson in Indy and replacing Jim Caldwell. That would potentially mean an opportunity to work with QB prospect Andrew Luck.
Mornhinweg spent two seasons as the head coach of the Lions back in 2001 and 2002, compiling a 5-27 record. He's been with the Eagles since 2003 and has served as the offensive coordinator since 2004. Mornhinweg's name has not been formally linked to any head-coaching jobs this offseason.
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Sheil, the Eagles D-line and linebackers spent an entire season learning the wide-9 scheme. They made progress as the season went along. Now, some fans want them to learn another new system under Spagnuolo and expect them to be a success immediately? Come on! That's a terrible idea.— soulman386- If Marty goes who will Washburn argue with?— tpizza
- Spags only works if he can work WITH Washburn, otherwise move on, no story here.— tpizza
- God, the wide-9 is not a system but an alignment! Like any alignment, it's only effective if you change up the look. Any half decent DC will figure out how to incorporate it into their scheme, which makes the defense much more effective because you can show different looks.— beegal99
- You are right about this beegal. Someone wrote this idea, very suspiciously it sounded like something that came from the Eagles to explain Castillo, and then has been regurgitated over and over by reporters. The fact remains that Jim Washburn was a defensive line coach in Tennessee who worked for a DC AND a Head Coach who also is a defensive coach(and a really good one who has more than a little idea about what he wants his defense to do.) Somehow Washburn was able to work with/under two defensive coaches and thrive with a team that during his tenure was both in the top five in sacks and top 5 in run defense every year. Somehow, I don't think either Washburn or any potential DC are concerned about some mis-perceived conflict of schemes. As long as the new DC is a 4-3 guy which is all but certain, then this is a non-issue with no basis in reality. — UncleStosh
- Thank you Beegal99. Some people are under the impression that the team will scrap the wide 9 completely, but this should not and will not be the case. The team will simply employ it at opportune times and use it as a deception tool while integrating other alignments.— otown philly fan
- If Marty leaves to Indy as OC that would open up move for Castillo to OC. This way Andy keeps tight grip on HIS offense and allows Castillo to stay on staff and learn a position he is more suited to. That would make Spags to DC a no brainer for Birds unless they underbid Atl or Spags wants no part of possible 1 year disaster. Then you let go of Washburn. Liked what he did for Babin and line but we all saw how it affected LB's not sure any lb's short of all pro players like Clay Matthews would have succeeded in wide 9.....Eagles are not going to get impact LB like Matthews in off season...maybe solid guys but that's it. No need to tailor a defensive scheme around one player as good as a season Babin had that is insane— glove69
- If I were the Falcons front office, I'd probably be focused on finding a competent offensive coordinator - didn't they just basically get shut out in the playoffs?— JLB
- Marty's not going to Indy as OC glove69. Marty is a mush. If the Tonner hired Marty, he'd put him in the bathroom during the games.
- would love to see Castillo have an coaching opportunity someplace else.. far far away from Philly...— docboy
- Note: I said the Eagles *could* get rid of Washburn if they add Spagnuolo, which is true. Regular readers know I think Washburn did an excellent job, and if he can work with Spags, that'd be the best-case scenario. Also, yes the wide-9 is an alignment, but it also has an effect on the back end of the defense. -SK— skapadia
- Sheil- You are an excellent researcher. Maybe you can do an article about how Washburn was able to work and thrive while working under a DC and a Defensive Oriented Head Coach in Tennessee. What did they do all those years in Tennessee when their defense regularly was in the top 5 in sacks and top 5 against the run? That might be an interesting exercise and give us an idea of what is possible with Washburn and a new DC. — UncleStosh
- We need Spags, they adjusted the wide nine at the end of the year and had more success. We need somebody who actually knows defense and can help draft the right players on defense. If the Grigson move means Marty is out of here I am all for it!!!!!!!! No more yes men, we have enought— yourdaddy!
- We need Spags, they adjusted the wide nine at the end of the year and had more success. We need somebody who actually knows defense and can help draft the right players on defense. If the Grigson move means Marty is out of here I am all for it!!!!!!!! No more yes men, we have enought— yourdaddy!
- More media mess here. I have no confidence that the ATL would hire Spags nor do I have any that he may come to the Eagles. Everything is in the "wait-and-see" mode. No need to speculate and wonder until 1. Fatboy comes back from vacation and 2. Spags makes a decision.— Panthro2011
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