We’ve been down this road before. In 2009, during the Eagles first preseason game, there was breaking news that a recently released from prison Michael Vick signed with Philly.
In 2010, Easter evening was interrupted by the announcement that Donovan McNabb was traded to the Washington Redskins. Head coach Andy Reid loved McNabb so much that if he had to trade him, he still guaranteed he’d able to see him twice a year.
Here we are in 2011. In the middle of Super Bowl week, something Philly has attended once during Reid’s 12 years and twice in its 45 year existence, the Eagles announced that Offensive Line Coach Juan Castillo will be their new Defensive Coordinator.
Now we, the Philadelphia Eagles Fans, are a very emotional group and I’m proudly one of them. When I received the text with this news, I just shook my head and said “Here they go again”.
Never before has this type of transition been made. Therefore, fan skepticism is only going to be enhanced by this type of move. While the national media continued its focus on what looks to be a very exciting game Sunday, the Delaware Valley focused on last nights press conference, Reid’s first since the day after his Wildcard loss to Green Bay.
Of course, the social network/blog world was filled with Eagle fans using three word acronyms such as LOL, SMH and others I’d rather not endorse. My initial reaction was: How do you entrust an entire defense to an O-line coach whose unit was a Vick insertion away from leading the league in sacks allowed?
This thought process was before I looked at the full history of Castillo. Before his tenure as an offensive assistant, Castillo played linebacker and was Texas A&M’s defensive line/linebackers coach in the early 80s. While he took the offensive line seriously, he claims to be a defensive guy at heart.
While I’m still not a huge fan of this move, I’m not as negative about as I originally was. The outside guys the Eagles interviewed were all defensive backs coach who, like Castillo, never coordinated an entire defense. I believe Reid wanted someone whose strength, reputation and respect starts up front on the line.
The one outside guy Reid probably wanted, Mike Trgovac, reiterated that he’s not ready to leave Green Bay. That likely left Castillo as the one guy left that Reid trusted. This move endorse the cliché “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”.
Reid stated that this is a game of risks and mentioned the risk Mike Holmgren took switching him from coaching the O-line to coaching quarterbacks. He talked about Jeff Lurie hiring a quarterbacks coach as his new head coach, something that wasn’t done before. The difference is: Holmgren was fresh off a Super Bowl win and Lurie is his own boss. Neither of their jobs were in jeopardy with the moves the made.
The Philadelphia Eagles have earned a reputation of making bold, unpopular moves. Drafting McNabb over Ricky Williams; letting Brian Dawkins leave via free agency; signing Vick. These moves turned out to be correct ones.
Let’s hope this last one continues that trend and possibly be a step towards an addition to that “air-filled” trophy case at the NovaCare complex. That way the entire nation will be talking about them during Super Bowl week.
I wouldnt say letting BDawk walk worked out, but yeah the timing of this was just too convenient. Surprised they didnt do it via Fergie at the halftime show tomorrow. My friends that arent Eagles fans didnt even know about this b/c its getting no pub from the national media.
I like your comment “a vick insertion away from leading the league in sacks”.
For the life of me I can’t understand why everybody keeps saying what a good oline coach he is. The Eagles used high draft picks for the offensive line. MG giles was a 1st team all-sec and all-american guard. Justice was an all-american tackle at USC playing for a former now current NFL coach. They have not blossomed under Castillo. They are both average at best. The Eagles have drafted 19 offensive linemen under Reid and Castillo. And they are always so proud of the versitility.
They are Versital. They stink at guard tackle and center.
This guru from the colts will probably help a big deal. But drafting a guy that is good at tackle to play tackle would help. I am sick of “mr versital”. Give me mr good football player and play him at his position.
Had of enough of “Crystal Ball” Andy. He see’s thing the rest of us are just to stupid to see.
MJG was a 3rd Rd pick in the run oriented offense down in U of Georgia
Justice was a 2nd Rd pick in again a run oriented offense at USC where they
had 1000 yard ruhers in R Bush/L White..
My point is that these are pretty good O/Lineman but are better suited for a run dominated type of the Offense and not the 40-50 passes a game type of Offense the Eagles run
Look J Jackson, N Cole, J Peters , A Howard all were not drafted out of College and started out as undrafted free-agents
McGlynn was a 4th Rd Pick, Herremans a 5th Round PIck,
Dunalp a 7th Rd Pick, so it’s not like Coach Castillo has had a lot of
Top Selectrions, Blue chip players to work with..
It goes back to philosophy, If yuo are going to pass 40-50 times a game,
it;s makes more sense tro me to draft O/Line who are more tathletic and lighter on their feet and who have played in a pass happy offense while in colloe to master the pass-blocking skills.. Instead the Eagles have overweight big guys who come from running teams in college and the Eagles ask these 310-330lbs players to pass protect 40-50 tiems a game..
This si the problem… “Putting a square piece in a round hole”
Tra Thomas was a 1st round pick under Rhodes, who had bust written all over him the first two years in Philly–turned out he went to 3 Pro Bowls
Jon Runyan was a 4th round pick of the Titans, signed as a FA by the Eagles, and he turned into one of the best RTs this organization ever saw
John Welbourn was a 4th round pick by Reid, who up until he demanded more money, was a steady RG
Hank Fraley was an UDFA picked off the Steelers’ practice squad who turned into a very reliable center
Ditto for Jamaal Jackson
MJG was actually a 4th round pick who at least demonstrated that he can play the pro game
Todd Herremans was a 4th round pick by Reid out of Grand Valley St, who’s probably the best Eagles’ lineman
And do you think the Eagles are alone in drafting tackles out of college and moving them to guard–they’re not; a lot of NFL teams do it.