Philly.com has just reported that Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott has been fired. This an amazing report if indeed it is true. Of course we’ve all heard a great deal of criticism for McDermott after the Eagles defense had one of the worst red zone percentages in three decades.
McDermott took over as a defensive coordinator two years ago when his mentor and former Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson died of cancer.
The defense was 12th in the league in yardage allowed but they were 21st in points allowed. Reid was asked about McDermott’s standing right after their season was ended by the Packers and the head coach said McDermott was going to return.
“You’re dealing with a guy that’s a tremendous worker and is a very smart individual,” Reid said. “And so I look at it a little bit different than what you do in that I’ve seen him work with young guys, I’ve seen him work through injuries, I’ve seen him stay positive through those situations and still put us in a position to win football games.”
Something obviously has changed in Reid’s thinking. I wonder what was happening in the discussion regarding whether the problem with the defense was the scheme or the talent.
I did learn that they weren’t happy in the front office with McDermott making the coverages so complicated that some of the younger players weren’t able to play. Cornerback Trevard Lindley was one of the young players who was kept off the field because of McDermott’s complicated schemes.
I also had heard that they didn’t like the way McDermott would have some of their best pass rushers dropping into coverage. This was not looked upon fondly. Pro Bowl Trent Cole voiced some displeasure with the way he was being used.
I think this firing says that Andy Reid doesn’t have the power in the organization that he’s had in the past.
What do you think about his firing?
Please fire Reid.
This dude had one good game this year and that was against a beat up colts team. He was thoroughly outcoached by Green Bay when they come out with 1WR and 2 TEs and lined the WR up on the left side effectively leaving Asante covering nobody and trying to help with run support which is his weakness. And he made no adjustments to this. Great move by the Eagles.
How many lies has Reid told this season? It’s got to be some kind of record.
The talent evaluation on D is beyond poor, but even this group could have done better in the red zone by accident. McDermott deserved this. Hopefully more of the staff is going too.
If McDermott had a Michael Vick on defense, he’d be golden.
I’m so used to blogging during the games, I decided to check this site. Man, am I sick or what?
This is for Dick Jaroun. I guarentee they want him before he signs elsewhere.
You’re probably right that they want to give the job to Dick Jauron before he signs with Cleveland. McDermott is still learning and didn’t have a good, confident feel for what he was doing.
I personally would go to Pittsburgh or Baltimore find the top assistant ready to become a defensive coordinator and bring him in. I then change to the 3-4. I know I dont have the personnel but I make the change and get the personnel. The 4 best defenses in the NFL. Pittsburgh, Greenbay, Baltimore, Jets and Dallas should be better than they are. Greenbay didnt have the personnel either but they got it and look at them now. The 3-4 is by far the best defense in the NFL. Why not join in?
That still does nothing to stop Reid, the QB Serial Killer.
McDermott in his short tenure was not impressive. I think he deserved to be fired, but I also think he is a scapegoat. Let’s face it, this defense is very short on talent. We’ll see if the next coach can get them to play better, but if it’s Jauron I won’t be too thrilled. He was a mediocre coach in Buffalo and Chicago. Does anyone think he’ll be great if he takes over? I don’t.
JJ got the defense to play at a high level as the talent began to dwindle, but they always got exposed at some point.
This is more about the Eagles being able to say “look, we’ve made a change that you’ve asked for now let us go about our business.” The business being keeping the Eagles in the top ten of the most valuable NFL franchises. What would make sense from a football perspective is to get rid of the whole coaching staff! It’s long overdue.
My alma mater (University of Maryland College Park) fired their football coach after he won ACC coach of the year. Marty Schottenheimer got fired after going 14-2 in the regular season for losing a home playoff game. His track record said that he was a good regular season coach that couldn’t get it done in the playoffs. Reid/Schottenheimer, what’s the difference?
G-Cobb you know how it went down. The Eagles told Jaroun to let them know if he was gonna take the Cleveland job. Jaroun called the Eagles and said yes he was gonna take it but he would rather stay in Philly. The Eagles said ok and fired McDermitt and told him the job is his. Im excited about that from also the talent evaluating aspect. The Eagles personnell decisions are horrible. Im all for a new set of eyes.
Phillyatheart
Amen!
Watching Reid’s teams is like watching Ground Hog Day over and over again.
He had nothing to work with on d but should had simplified things in the red zone. Fat boy should go after the lb coach from Pitt, Rob Ryan or herm Edwards to run the d. Also they have to stop drafting these undersized players on d
Could we get now get a competent linebacker. How can a team not value linebackers? I can’t remember the last good one we have had – I guess it was the first iteration of Trot. All the rest under Reid are just guys. Ernie Sims had loads of talent, but no understanding of how to play the game. I am sick of seeing him overrun the play. Bradley had promise until his injuries.
Bullshit this was more than that. McDermitt couldnt evaluate his own team. How does Dixon sit on the bench? It takes a injury for him to play. How does Chaney sit on the bench? How can you sell me Sims is a shark in the water? He should of been benched for Jordan. Nate Allen is soft. That was his MO in college yet you make him your 2nd round pick. You take Graham who is to small. You stay with Patterson to long. McDermitt was terrible.
I’m waiting for them to give it to Rory Siegrest
GOOD, Now get AR out of here
I’m sure opie would have loved for the birds to draft a play maker on d like Earl Thomas
Daggolden
It seems like the entire identity of the defense is soft. Ironically the hardest hits delivered by the defense this year were by Asante Samuel. If he is your “enforcer” then you know you’ve got major problems.
Not valuing players is a myth. I watch the Steelers and Ravens. Those LBs arent all 1st round picks. They just know how to evaluate talent. The Eagles draft picks suck. For every Maclin or Jackson there are 10 bust they select. If they would draft better they would have better players. Thats the bottom line. Even there free agents they pick up are a hit or miss.
Double J would have never lost to a rookie 3rd string qb like Webb from Vikings
A lot of these “tweeners” the Eagles draft would probably benefit teams that play indoors. The fast, under-sized defense to me only works in warm weather. Once the weather turns is when physical play is more important. Looks to me like the Eagles have tried to be the outdoor version of the “greatest show on turf.”
Looking at the Steelers-Ravens game I see defenders with both speed and size. Is this really possible?
Hire David Akers!
Phillyatheart its called the 3-4. Trent Cole and Jaqua Parker will be big and fast if they move to rush OLB. James Harrison and Terrell Suggs dont cover. They stand up and rush. You then get a big 350 pound force in the middle.
Doesn’t matter…the real problem is Banner and Reid! We will NEVER EVER win a Super Bowl with these clowns. I know it won’t happen ,but Philly fans should not support this team until they rid themselves of these stiffs.Gold Standard huh? Please!!!! Oh wait did I forget someone….Howie Roseman too!! This guy has no clue what he is doing…you might as well hire Ed Rendell as the GM..
Dag
From Spadaro’s lips in 2002 . . . regarding Takeo Spikes (one in a loooooong list)
On the Inside
Eagles Make Big Deal To Fortify Defense, LB Position
I love the move. Clearly, I love the move. I have to believe you all love the move, too. So many times I’ve had to hear how the Eagles don’t value linebackers. Obviously, well, they addressed the position. How it all shakes out, I don’t know. Time will tell. Spikes is a leader and he is a veteran and he fits the criteria of everything you want in a player. If he proves he is fully recovered from the injury, he will be a great player in the system. But that is something I can’t answer right now.
Yeah, I know about the 3-4. It was my attempt at sarcasm. I just don’t think we’ll change our scheme to match the personnel. That would make too much sense and the Eagles rarely do what makes sense.
I guess it’s no myth. This guy should have been on BSM’s “TORN ACL GUYS” list.
What does that mean for what our scheme is gonna look like. Dicks defenses have always sucked against the run. Is that something we have to look forward to? Also I always like the blitzing attack that the eagles ran. That is sure to change now.
McDermott had little to work with after all the injuries, That been said, I still don’t think he’s a very good defensive coordinator. But, after all is said and done, it simply doesn’t matter as long as Reid’s the Head Coach. Like drummer said, Ground Hog Day every year. With Reid, you can script the end of every season before it begins. It dosn’t matter what the players are because, Reid’s offense has not changed at all in many, many years. Instead of tailoring an offense to meet the skilled players on the team, Reid runs the offense he wants regardless of who he can put on the field. The 2010 offense is the same as the 2009, 2008, 2007 etc offense. What changed is the players which made the big play more successful and the running game numbers better becasue of Vick’s special talent but nothing else changed. Reid hasn’t and will never change this offense.
Riley Cooper should take notes from Derrick Mason. Thats how you help your qb break up a potential season ending int.
How crap is Flacco though? What a meltdown.
Steelers are bringing the hat. Can we trade Kolb for Dick LeBeau?
That’s coaching!
Mike Tomlin could be gaining on Belichick.
Hahahahaha Housh dropping a 1st down. Probably brought you a ticket to a new team yet again. I hear the Bengals are looking for WRs…
Love the way that other team in Pennsylvania operates on and off the field.
The Rothlisberger drama/suspension, missing his key defensive player in Polamalu in today’s game, losing their 3rd tackle, you gotta give Tomlin credit for a great coaching job.
And Rothlisberger is the toughest QB I’ve ever seen. Going through a windshield, broken nose, broken bone in his foot today. That guy is manimal!
Except for the Eagles game, these playoffs have been fantastic!
The upset of the post-season will come from my man, Rex Ryan! I hope. I love those Ryans! They’re better than the movies.
Baltimore gave that game away. I give the Steelers credit for accepting the gift. Ray Rice knows he can’t be holding the ball loose like that. Then Flacco overthrows his receiver. You have to throw it so either your guy gets it or nobody does. Then they give it to them on a messed up snap. They didn’t deserve to win.
You could argue that if the Steelers didn’t give the game away in the first half the Ravens wouldn’t have had a 21-7 lead at halftime. Those are just two evenly matched teams and the team that made the least mistakes when it mattered most won.
The Jets must run the ball if they want to beat the Patriots. If they let Mark Sanchez throw the ball a lot, they’ll be down 21-0 because of him turning the ball over.
2011…Nothing has changed. Defense wins Championships. That’s why Pittsburgh won today ant that’s why it was a dog fight with Baltimore. We better get bigger and more physical next season. Curious to see who get as the new D coordinator job.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! We got rid of dougie houser finally…… That means smokey the bear reid is probably on the SLOP SEAT perhaps this season…….. ROB RYAN ROB RYAN ROB RYAN ROB RYAN>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> OR I’ll TAKE SINGLETARY…….. Ryan would be great…… The re-birth of Buddy….. That ol’ fashion CHEESE BURGER BLITZ…….. PLEASE GET HIM…………
Once you get that big of a lead, you make sure not to turn the ball over. There’s no excuse for making those mistakes when you’ve got that big of a lead. If you just make sure they work hard for everything they get, then you will probably win the game because of that quality Ravens defense.
Roddy White tackled Charles Woodson.
He should have never been defensive coordinator in the first place…….. Seagress…… Your next buddy…….. Get your stuff packing very shortly……. Who ever Philly hires at defensive coordinator….. I hope he brings some of his staff with him to replace Segress……