Posted: Sunday, January 22, 2012, 12:02 PM | 70 comments |
 

Why the Eagles lost out on Spagnuolo
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Steve Spagnuolo chose the Saints over the Eagles because of Drew Brees, according to a report. (AP file photo)

After news broke last week that Steve Spagnuolo had chosen to become the new defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, a couple key questions surfaced, pertaining to the Eagles:

1. How much actual interest did the Eagles really have in Spagnuolo?
2. Would Juan Castillo be back for a second year?

We're still waiting on an answer to the second question, but Dan Pompei of the National Football Post provided some clarity to the first question in his column today.

Per Pompei, Spagnuolo's decision came down to the Eagles and the Saints. And the deciding factor was Drew Brees:

The Saints can thank Drew Brees for Steve Spagnuolo. The Saints’ new defensive coordinator had his choice of a number of jobs. Among the other teams that either were in hot pursuit or had expressed interest were the Eagles, Falcons, Colts, Bucs and Vikings. It came down to choosing between the Eagles and Saints, and Spags picked Brees over Michael Vick. Why? An offense that scores 38.5 points per game can make a defensive coordinator look pretty smart.

I think that point has merit. In fact, I wrote as much last week. If Spagnuolo's goal is to again become a head coach, his best chance to get another shot is to lead a defense that gets to the Super Bowl. The Saints have a better chance to get there than the Eagles, largely because of how Drew Brees and Sean Payton stack up to Michael Vick and Andy Reid.

According to Pompei, Brees was indeed the difference.

The report also confirms what many have assumed: Reid clearly is not 100 percent sold on Castillo returning for his second season as the team's defensive coordinator, although he may still be the fallback plan. We'll find out (at some point) whether Reid is looking at other candidates, or whether he'll bring Castillo back.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the Eagles could lose Marty Mornhinweg. Mornhinweg interviewed with the Raiders on Friday, according to reports, and Pompei says he looks like a "strong candidate" to land the job, although it's early in the search.

And finally, Jim Washburn will not be headed to St. Louis to reunite with Jeff Fisher and Gregg Williams. Per Jason La Canfora of NFL Network, Mike Waufle will be hired as the Rams' new defensive line coach.

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Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 12:02 PM  Permalink | 70 comments
70
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:10 PM, 01/22/2012
    Another point. Reid and Vick only have one year left. If Spags was here next year, he might be the logical choice to take over another franchise on the down side (with the attendant firing in the future)

    With Payton secure, he will have other offers from better teams if he does well there.
    — banned
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:13 PM, 01/22/2012
    You don't know how many years Reid or Vick has left. Everybody had Reid's neck on the chopping block this year, but he's back with at 8-8 record.
    — bm2957
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:41 PM, 01/23/2012
    Take Brees out of the equation and they'll fold like a deck of cards.
    — gho_matt
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:50 PM, 01/23/2012
    1 superbowl....philly makes playoffs almost every year..what have the saints done over the years.1 superbowl.before that they never seen a playoff game,times running out.how much longer can brees keep it up..like indy..if brees goes down then what..watch your mouth gatorboy
    — ackid38
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:38 PM, 01/23/2012
    Except for your one Superbowl what did the Saints do? Oh yeah; the 10 fans that bothered to show up for your games wore bags over their heads. Get back in the kitchen. I smell your crawdads burnin'.
    — voodoochylde
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:24 AM, 01/25/2012
    Philly has been more of a winning organization than the saints. Take Bree's away and you're the colts of this year. Meaning you're 1 injury away from being pitiful. Just be lucky you got him don't forget where he came from.
    — Bboote
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:13 PM, 01/22/2012
    A NICE WAY TO SAY REID IS A LOSER
    — Pete60
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:14 PM, 01/22/2012
    Castillo was the fallback plan LAST year. How did that plan turn out??
    — billtfla
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:51 PM, 01/23/2012
    not bad defense ranked 8th how did yours do
    — ackid38
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:18 PM, 01/22/2012
    I though we all knew that the Fat Man is a loser!! Vick+Reid equals no SB. What good coach would want to come to Philly and serve under the pig-headed, arrogant Fat Andy?? Enough said.
    — oneway
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:53 PM, 01/23/2012
    oh really..what other coach QB tandum has won a sb in philly..none.at least reid has gotten us to the sb.didnt win but we got there
    — ackid38
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:20 PM, 01/22/2012
    Can't blame Spagnoulo for looking out for himself, going forward. And I don't think Reid is a loser. . .he simply isn't a "winner" when it comes to getting to, and winning, the Super Bowl. I think he was given one more year to prove different.
    — jodimarko
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:26 PM, 01/22/2012
    Payton is also the type of head coach that will actually LISTEN to his staff rather than dictate his way or the highway. Spags absolutely made the right decision for himself and his future. Until Reid goes away, no self respecting coach with a solid track record will have any desire to come here; with that being said, get ready for 2012-13 to be another season of mediocrity.
    — CTL
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:47 PM, 01/22/2012
    Yeah, we'll see. HANDS DOWN, Greg Williams is a MUCH better, and a much more accomplished Defensive Coordinator than Spagnuolo. Straight Up. And the Saints D couldn't get it done. In fact, the only reason they were able to win the SB with their scrub personnel on defense, was because they had a crazy turnover differential that year. The Eagles, BY FAR, have much more talent on D than the Saints. Once we get a stud Middle Linebacker and a stud safety, we'll be that much better than the Saints on defense. The Eagles already have a better defense than the Saints, period. Say what you will, but the Eagles D finished 8th in the NFL this year. If he doesn't want to be here, fine, we don't need him.
    — 5NOT4


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About Sheil Kapadia
Sheil Kapadia is in his fourth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

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