Bowles to D: "We're not going to be predictable"
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Bowles to D: "We're not going to be predictable"
Jeff McLane
Todd Bowles met with his defense for the first time Monday and the Eagles' new defensive coordinator didn't announce many changes in scheme, players said, but he did say one thing was going to be different.
"The biggest thing he said was we're not going to be predictable anymore," linebacker Casey Matthews said.
Several other players echoed Matthews' account of the meeting, held on the first day the Eagles gathered since last Monday, a day before Andy Reid fired Juan Castillo and promoted Bowles. While the defense will remain essentially as is with the same starting unit, several players said, there will be natural changes with a new man in charge.
"Things are going to be a little different," Matthews said. "Obviously, he's a totally different type of coach than Juan. Juan was a little more fiery. Todd's laid back, but he knows what he's talking about."
Bowles was hired in January to be the defensive backs coach, but players at other defensive positions said that they had gotten to know the coach over the last ten months. Mostly, they said they respected him based on his experience as a coach and a player.
"He was the interim head coach of the Dolphins last year," Matthews said. "He's been around. He's well-respected. I think that's one thing, as a player, he's been on the defensive side for a while. Juan came over from the offense so a lot of people, especially vets, you don't know if they're qualified."
Some have wondered if Bowles has plans to blitz more since the defensive line has had trouble getting pressure.
"He said he's not here to revamp the defense," Matthews said. "We're still running the same stuff. He just wants us to play together and take it back to training camp days -- basic fundamentals, getting extra work after practice or getting in your playbook."
Defensive end Jason Babin was evasive when asked about Bowles.
"I'm not a football guy. I don't know much about him," Babin said. "Shows up on time, works hard."
Babin was asked if he had a reaction when the Eagles announced Tuesday that Bowles would replaced the fired Castillo.
"I've been doing this for nine years now," Babin said. "Kind of have to be numb to the goings-ons."
In other news on the defensive side of the ball, defensive tackle Mike Patterson practiced, as expected. The Eagles have three weeks to decide if they want to activate Patterson or he will have to be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve.
Safety Nate Allen (hamstring) did not practice but he said that he would be ready to play Sunday against the Falcons.
Babin is pretty sassy for a one trick pony who overall is a defensive liability. Who cares what he thinks ? Next year he is gone. Casey talks a lot for a guy who should not be in the NFL. His best play ? Jumping around the pile like he actually did something. There is a special teams guy somewhere out there out of a job because of that clown. We need smart, disciplined guys who can tackle. Not show boats and a back up LB who acts like he is an All Pro for 9 years.— oldBird- Babin is numb when it comes to tackling running backs and lately QBs,— oldBird
- I hate to say, but I think Reid is finished in Philly. The coaching staff is a mess both on offense,defense and special teams . The drafting has been terrible for years now, and watching these guys make blunder after blunder on the field week after week without being taken out of the game, is ridiculous. I don't know if they can turn it around, but if they don't, Reid, the coaching staff, and Vick, should go.— Ron
- This years draft was pretty darn good, but if Reid goes, he'll look at the two years preceding drafts as what cost him his job, as well as the Vick decision (though the way Vick played in the beginning, thats a decision many coaches would have made.)— airbuzz
- I think the O-line adapted to the wide 9. That's the problem!— cm3737
- I agree with the others-- the OFFENSE is predictable. Unbelievably predictable! Play 1- Deep Pass, Play 2- telegraphed run, Play 3- sack or fumble. No screen passes, no slants, no varied runs, no two back sets (worked against the Gina's; why not use it again SMH), There aren't many people around who can replace Big Red, but I'd love to see Vick n Marty gone. This team should be 0-6.— John Dealoni
- I could care less if Babin likes Bowles or if he's even on the team next year...what I care about is results NOW. It will be obvious on Sunday who wants to win and who's mad because they fired Juan. The Falcons game will tell us all we need to know as fans about the rest of the season. Even if the D sufficates Atlanta's offense,if Marty draws yp the SOS with his game plan then it'll be the same old sorry result.— greenbloodVAEagle
- Reid's vaunted offense stinks, now he is messing with the defense in hopes it can help bail out his crummy offense with turnovers. It won't work. Reid has made too many packs with the devil.— Taser
- "Although I am stuck with the Wide 9, I will be unpredictable"— Bobphxville
- Will the offence still be predictable?— Realtor in Orlando
- "The biggest thing he said was we're not going to be predictable anymore," linebacker Casey Matthews said.
Now if that isn't an oblique bit.. slap, what is?— essell 
They already ARE unpredictable. They predicted a great season.- Sounds like a big Bowles movement taking place in the locker room.— dasher
- Yes, Gruden is good at winning with other coaches players. Tony Dungy would have won in Tampa like he won in Indy but haters hate Black players and coaches. Only in Philadelphia.....— allworld2
- Todd Bowles, Temple Owl, pretty fair Safety for the Redskins as I recall, he had a bye week to tweak what was already installed, so don't think you are seeing his system for this talent for a while, if at all this season. Maybe Matthews is excited because he's a part of that "unpredictability". As for the comment, what would Matthews know about football? I say, probably plenty, since he was probably like most kids wondering from one unit to another during Dad's practices. He has been in a football environment since he was born! So, even if he can't "play" (and that hasn't been proven yet), he probably knows a helluva lot about FOOTBALL. Babin may have been in mourning for the Wide 9 formation (hope they are junking that as a primary set) and thinking about those BIG Tackles he'll have to confront instead of the wide track meet stance and sprint he has been use to. Then again maybe he just liked Juan! A man by all accounts who is a talented, hardworking and likable O-line coach. That Andy decided could coach Defense and then threw him under the bus when the OFFENSE turned the ball over or ran their Vaunted 3 & out schemes. Giving the D no rest and short fields to defend!!! Look in the mirror Andy, there you will find your biggest problem. Too stubborn to run the ball with one of the top 5 backs in the league. West Coast Offense? Where are those quick hitting 7 yard slants that Rice and Taylor routinely turned into 60-70 yard TD's? Tough to run those with a 150lb. receiver who gets knocked down by a strong wind! Fans let us not judge Mr. Bowles too soon!!! And let us pray that the firing of Mr. Castillo somehow lights the fires in Morningweg's engine room and we get some much needed versatility on Offense. Still time, and, with their pre-bye luck, record wise, still there, to right this ship and head to the promised land (I can dream can't I?)!!! So Fly Eagles Fly...— Edwin H.
