Linebackers coach Shuey no longer with Eagles

MOBILE, Ala. - If the coordinator and the line coach were to be held accountable for the Eagles' defensive failures, surely the linebackers coach had to go, too.

So must have gone the thinking when head coach Andy Reid axed Bill Shuey recently. While the Eagles did not confirm Shuey's departure until after it was reported on Tuesday, it actually occurred about the same time Sean McDermott and Rory Segrest were let go by Reid on Jan. 13.

If the team's defensive backs coach was on the chopping block as well, the Browns' hiring of Dick Jauron as their defensive coordinator last week made his possible firing moot.

Unlike McDermott and Segrest, the 36-year-old Shuey was not technically fired. His contract expired at the end of the season, and the Eagles simply did not renew it. Shuey has been a loyal employee for 10 seasons, though, so it would not be out of the question to see him come back in some other capacity.

Reid has now purged all the key pieces from his defensive coaching staff, and the only coaches that remain from last season's group are assistant linebackers coach Mike Caldwell and quality control coach Mike Zordich.

One position was filled when the Eagles lured defensive line coach Jim Washburn away from the Titans, but the biggest piece of the puzzle remains unfilled. The Eagles have interviewed just one candidate for their defensive coordinator opening, and he was hired by the Broncos the next day.

Saints assistant Dennis Allen will work under the defensive-minded John Fox in Denver, so his landing with the Broncos probably made much more sense. The 38-year-old had never been a coordinator. But even if he was to become the next Dick LeBeau, expecting Allen to come in and answer for the defense in tough-minded Philadelphia was going to be a lot to ask.

So the search continues.

The identities of the remaining candidates are proving to be as elusive for reporters as a Super Bowl has been for the Eagles. Reid, back in Philadelphia, has been unavailable for comment since the end of the season, and general manager Howie Roseman, who left here to return to Philadelphia Tuesday night, has deferred all questions on the matter to Reid.

The team, though, does have a list with "a few quality names" and a few other candidates they will interview in the coming days, a league source close to the Eagles said.

The Pentagon-like secrecy from the team likely has to do with NFL tampering rules. The Eagles cannot talk with coaches on the two remaining teams in the postseason until after the Feb. 6 Super Bowl.

If they are indeed interested in one or more of the coaches on either the Packers or Steelers, they could chose from a number of contenders. From Green Bay, defensive line coach Mike Trgovac, assistant head coach of inside linebackers Winston Moss, and outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene are viable candidates.

From Pittsburgh, linebackers coach Keith Butler or defensive backs coach Ray Horton could be one of the Eagles' targets.

Presumably, when the Eagles finally do name a new coordinator they will then fill out the rest of their defensive coaching staff. Caldwell and Zordich, former Eagles players, could be in line for promotions.

Like Zordich, Shuey is here for Senior Bowl practices. On Monday, he had Eagles paraphernalia on and looked like any of the team's other assistants scouting draft prospects. Asked that day if he was worried about his job after McDermott and Segrest were dismissed, Shuey gave no indication that he was let go.

The next day, however, he was sans team gear and looked like many of the other unemployed NFL assistants - like Segrest - that came to the Senior Bowl in search of work.

Vick endorsement. Michael Vick signed his first endorsement deal since being released from prison last year, according to the Associated Press.

The Eagles quarterback inked a two-year contract with Unequal Technologies, a provider of the football pads Vick wore last season. The deal will be announced on Thursday while Vick is preparing for the Pro Bowl.

Vick left for Hawaii on Tuesday.