DRC defends Juan Castillo
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DRC defends Juan Castillo
Jeff McLane
Going against the tide, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie came out in support of the recently-fired Juan Castillo.
While several players on defense have used Castillo’s ousting as an excuse to question his credentials or his late-game play-calling, Rodgers-Cromartie credited the former Eagles defensive coordinator with turning him into more of a press cornerback.
Rodgers-Cromartie defended Castillo, criticized some of his teammate’s finger-pointing and said that he didn't think the Eagles needed to make a change at defensive coordinator.
“That’s what you’re going to say when things seem to go bad. You’re going to pinpoint something,” Rodgers-Cromartie said of other defensive players focusing on Castillo. “I don’t feel that way. If you look at statistics we’re still in the top. … That was a decision that was made. I can’t do nothing about it. But ain’t see no problem.”
The Eagles defense is ranked 12th in the NFL in total yards and 11th in points heading into Sunday's game against the Falcons. But Castillo’s unit coughed up fourth quarter leads in the last two games -- a resurfacing of a problem that plagued the defense through much of last season.
Defensive end Brandon Graham said on Wednesday that the defensive play-calling in the fourth quarter was predictable and that Castillo was not using a number of schemes that were being practiced on during the week.
Rodgers-Cromartie said that too much blame was being pinned to the departed Castillo.
“I feel like every man should be accountable for themself,” he said. “In life, anytime things go wrong it’s easy to say, ‘Well, he did this and he did that,’ instead of saying, ‘I did this, I did that.’”
When Rodgers-Cromartie was traded to the Eagles in July of 2011 he came billed as an “off corner” in the Asante Samuel mold. He did play some press defense in Arizona, but Rodgers-Cromartie said that it was Castillo that “made me into a press corner.”
“That was Juan’s whole idea – to get up there and disrupt timing,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “Just looking at film it worked, so I stuck with it.”
The fifth-year corner leads the Eagles with three interceptions this season. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the seventh-best cover corner in the league. Rodgers-Cromartie, who had new coordinator Juan Castillo as his position coach this season, said that Castillo deserved a lot of the credit.
“No question. He changed my game,” he said. “He brought me to the press corner. He’s one of those guys that takes the time with you and let’s you understand a weakness in your game and keep you after practice and make you work on it.”
Rodgers-Cromartie also disputed the notion that Castillo had very little sway over the entire defense, especially the Jim Washburn-led line.
“Juan played a major part in every position – from the d-line to the linebackers to he always trying to keep guys after practice and make them work,” Rodgers-Cromartie said.
Juan will prove to be a better DC than Bowles. Brace yourselves bird fans. When does Andy ever get it right?— Apollo Creed- you fire the the guy who coaches the unit that is doing the best. marty is killing us and has been for a while. i cant even watch the eagles, their offensive play calling is so putrid.— ojc
- you post comments from giant/cowboy fans but not eagle fans. my time is valuable. i will read something else.— ojc
- nevermind!!!— ojc
- DRC's translation: You fired the wrong guy dummies.— Desert Steve
- Whether you love the Eagles offense or not , they were up 23-13 with less than 4 minutes left. You had to get a win there, so barring some sort of late turnover or kick return, an inability to hold onto a lead that big with that little time left will cause people to review your future employment.— drbob1
- The problem is with the top guru, period. How in the world does a man who lost his son function 100%? How do you do it? I dont care what anyone says, it has to take affect and it shows. Reid screwed up this team with poor decisions in drafts, coaches, and scheme, its over. I dont care who comes here, Im ready for a new beginning, Foles or not, I just want these idiots out of my football team.— RAM1162
- Yes-s-s-s-s-s! Get... him... OUTTAHERE!!! And take the rest of that motley crew with him. Jury's out on Bowles however. — essell
- It should be clear to everyone by now that Castillo's offensive playcalling led to 30 second possessions at the ends of games, turnovers for Vick in the red zone, 16 offensive points a game, and horrific kickoff coverage. Shame on you Juan Castillo.— HeelYes
- It should be clear to everyone by now that Castillo's offensive playcalling led to 30 second possessions at the ends of games, turnovers for Vick in the red zone, 16 offensive points a game, and horrific kickoff coverage. Shame on you Juan Castillo.— HeelYes
- It should be clear to everyone by now that Castillo's offensive playcalling led to 30 second possessions at the ends of games, turnovers for Vick in the red zone, 16 offensive points a game, and horrific kickoff coverage. Shame on you Juan Castillo.— HeelYes
- It should be clear to everyone by now that Castillo's offensive playcalling led to 30 second possessions at the ends of games, turnovers for Vick in the red zone, 16 offensive points a game, and horrific kickoff coverage. Shame on you Juan Castillo.— HeelYes
- It should be clear to everyone by now that Castillo's offensive playcalling led to 30 second possessions at the ends of games, turnovers for Vick in the red zone, 16 offensive points a game, and horrific kickoff coverage. Shame on you Juan Castillo.— HeelYes
- It should be clear to everyone by now that Castillo's offensive playcalling led to 30 second possessions at the ends of games, turnovers for Vick in the red zone, 16 offensive points a game, and horrific kickoff coverage. Shame on you Juan Castillo.— HeelYes
- Sidewinder - You truly are a bleeping idiot, just for the record. I'm far from a Castillo fan, but I gave him credit for doing a decent job this season. Did you keep throwing bombs and fumbling the ball away to the other team in the 4th quarter? Did he continually go 3 and out and squander away key ball possession time in the 4th quarter of games? Could the defense have made less mistakes and done a better job? Of course, but it's hard to see them as the biggest problem on this teams. Special Teams - bigger problem, Quarterback play - Bigger problem, Offensive game plan and play calling - Bigger problem, Head coach - Bigger problem, Offensive Line - Biggest problem. I rest my case.— TrollExterminator
