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Eagles plan to talk to Saints' Allen

Incrementally, the Eagles are taking steps toward hiring a defensive coordinator. This weekend, they will interview New Orleans Saints assistant Dennis Allen, a league source said.

Incrementally, the Eagles are taking steps toward hiring a defensive coordinator.

This weekend, they will interview New Orleans Saints assistant Dennis Allen, a league source said.

The Eagles asked for and received permission to talk with the defensive backs coach on Wednesday, and apparently a just-back-from-vacation Andy Reid will be in attendance.

Allen is also scheduled to meet with the Denver Broncos first about their opening, according to FoxSports.com.

The 38-year-old Allen has suddenly become a hot commodity. He has no prior experience as a coordinator, but the Saints' pass defense has been solid, if not spectacular, during his three years of direction.

"It's a small league, and there aren't many secrets," Saints coach Sean Payton told the New Orleans Times Picayune. "His reputation has grown, and the word has gotten around. You can see it on film. He's extremely talented, and another thing about him, he's an extremely hardworking guy."

Right now, Allen and Eagles senior assistant Dick Jauron are the only identified candidates for Sean McDermott's old job. Former Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora took his name out of the running for both the Eagles' and Broncos' openings. He was not considered a serious candidate for the Eagles' job, team sources said.

Jauron interviewed with the Cleveland Browns earlier this week and is said to be mulling over his options until Reid returns from Antigua on Friday. Former Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears head coach Dave Wannstedt and former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Billy Davis interviewed with Cleveland on Thursday, according to ESPN.

A report from ESPN earlier in the day said that the Eagles had requested permission to talk to Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach Dean Pees. But two league sources said that the Eagles had neither requested nor received permission to interview the onetime New England Patriots coordinator.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh later told Baltimore reporters that Pees indeed was not leaving.

The Eagles could also be waiting to interview one of the coaches still in the playoffs.

Extra points. Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel and tackle Jason Peters are skipping the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Both were starters. Quarterback Michael Vick, wide receiver DeSean Jackson, and kicker David Akers are still on the NFC roster. . . . Jeff Nixon, the Eagles' special-teams quality-control assistant, has left to become the Dolphins' running backs coach.