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.
They coughed up leads because the offense did not score enough, fact do the math. 11th in points given up VS 31st in points scored. Blame it on the D because they give up 13 or 16 points because 3 came late, its BS.— Sidewinder7- You don't know much about football do you? I'm quite sure you've never played the game except for XBOX or Playstation, which is why you made such a stupid comment. — realtruth
- actually sidwinder makes sense just like drc. what are you a real vick fan? the offense sucks to many turnovers and not enough points on the board. more points no 4th quarter meltdowns to bad vick and the offense dont play like xbox or playstation eagles... — defroe
- I put facts down realtruth, you put nothing. Face it your boy Vick will be on the bench in 2 weeks and jobless after the season. Most turnovers per game in the HISTORY of the NFL. — Sidewinder7
- Oh, and if Vick turns the ball over another 4 times this week will Bobby April get fired? — Sidewinder7
- That's what we needed, some good internal bickering about a guy who is gone. That's what yoyu do when you can't play worth a darn.— Bama
- and your saying drc has sucked this year? really lol wow another vick fan im sure? — defroe
- Don't forget about special teams ALWAYS putting them in terrible field position....— Philliefan75inAZ
- This comment has been deleted.— CoettaGarner25
- ironic that a complete BUST like graham is criticizing castillo, who led the 12th-best defense in the league. and this dope doesn't even know what he's talking about. said the D in the 4th was "predictable." yet asomugha blasted castillo from changing the defense that worked for the first three quarters.
which is it?— hannibal barca - DCR is refreshing....dare I say, could he be a leader on this defense..him and Demeco? Cause when you here Namdi explain it, his subpar performance in the 4th Q against the Lions was Castillos fault, not his. Then Brandon Graham opened his mouth..guy hasn't been healthy enough to barely practice the past 3 years. What does he know? There are too many players on this team with the wrong attitude. Please sign DRC to a contract extension ASAP, he is playing at a much higher level than Namdi.
- Roll Tide Roll!
- Wake up the echoes — hannibal barca
- The defense was WAY behind the offensive "offense" and the "special" teams on the list of concerns...— cdedrick05
- The defense gave up some late points, no question. Had the offense not turned the ball over 17 times it wouldn't have mattered. If our #26 red zone offense could get TD instead of field goals (or fumbles), it wouldn't have mattered. Get the turnovers to average, get the red zone offense to average and this is a very good team. They need better coverage on punts and kicks. They need to get to the QB and force fumbles that is the only "problem" with the defense. Bowles may be an upgrade but the defense sure was the BIG problem. I have supported Andy Reid because I do not think the next coach could do better, Reid is one of the most successful coaches of his era. However, I wonder if he replaces the transmission when he really needs new tires.— willbert31
