There’s a sense of urgency that’s building at the Eagles practices and ti’s coming from head coach Andy Reid. Yesterday I counted four-times, that Reid demanded that plays be run over during the defensive period.
This is very unusual for Reid because he doesn’t normally get directly involved in the defensive part of practice. Normally he’s more of an observer of the defensive team work than anything else.
Yesterday, the big fella wanted passes from scout team quarterback Trent Edwards to be knocked down or intercepted by his secondary, not completed to the intended receiver. If it didn’t happen that way, Reid demanded that the play be run over. On one play he demanded that it be run over a total of three times.
He was living in the defensive huddle yesterday and talking to of the players on the defensive unit. When Jim Johnson was the defensive players, Big Red rarely talked to the defensive players during practice. They were Johnson’s responsibility and he gave the defensive coordinator plenty of room to do his job.
Yesterday, Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was on the side with the defensive players, who were waiting for their chance to get in there. Reid who is usually anchored behind the offensive huddle and out of the way during the defensive period, walked into the defensive huddle after nearly each play during the defensive period of practice and talked to the defensive players.
This as a major step because football coaches are very territorial. Clearly Reid is concerned about what’s happening with his defense and Castillo is probably on a short leash. Big Red is starting to heat up. This Eagles team has as much potential as any of Reid’s Eagles teams but they also have been mistake prone during the first two games of the preseason.
Good teams aren’t usually described as injury-prone. There seems to be a lack of attention to detail. Yes, there’s a desire to excel, but so far they lack the focus to avoid running into the quarterback too late, holding receivers, jumping off sides, or holding in pass protection.
Reid blew up the other night on the bench in New England because he knows that you can’t let a team get in the habit of playing sloppy penalty-ridden football, or they doomed to repeat it when the games start.
I expect the Eagles practices are going to be very demanding from now until the season starts because it will be quite a challenge to have this team sharp despite not playing together very much in the preseason. That’s especially true of the offense with Michael Vick at the helm. They’ve only played together for twelve plays.
Im buying this. I think we are seeing a new Andy Reid. And im well aware of situations like the Clock management and the Hiring of Juan Castillo as defensive coordinator. But there is a quote in this article:
“This is very unusual for Reid because he doesn’t normally get directly involved in the defensive part of practice”
Is this because maybe he’s never had to because he had Jim Johnson all those years? maybe he knows Juan Castillo really isnt getting the job done like how he thought he would?
This is bad news for Castillo. If the Eagles dont start off with a good record Castillo is either gone or getting demoted by Mid-season.
Juan can’t even discuss defensive schemes. All he talks about is hard work, fundamentals and getting off the field on third down. Maybe Reid knows he’s in over his head.
I can’t believeit but I am going to agree with Eagles (Don’t) Suck. I think Reid has realized that Juandamentals is not only ready for prime time as a DC, but his players do not respect him either. With Andy sticking his nose in their the players will take practiceand paying attention to detail more seriously. Reid showed that he is extremely serious Monday night. I also think Cullen Jenkins will become more of a vocal leader now due to that experience. Juan knows he is on short notice, it’s just a matter of time before Todd Bowles replaces him. Maybe Juan is not working hard enough with the fundamentals and taliking about muscle memory!!!
I think this is bad news…i dont like this at all. If the HC is showing no confidence in Juan why should the players. Just think we had Spags and we let him walk.
I have an idea – lets all make a bunch of shit up and post it – let’s all pretend we have a freakin clue – better yet – lets take a little mole hill and build it into a mountain..! Absolutley meaningless game 2 of 4 meaningless pre-season games..
He has nobody to blame but himself. He got him the job. I still have absolute no faith in Juan Castillo at all as our D-Cordinator when we have to play good teams in the league. I don’t think players even respect him as a coach. When you hear the defensive players talk all you hear is Washburn this Washburn that…even hear Bowles name thrown out there a lot. But barely hear a thing about Castillo unless the player is directly asked about him and then what do you think their going to say. I just have no faith in Castillo coaching a Defense against a good team and coach…we will likely get exposed again in that department. To get to where we all want to go we obviously have to play those good teams.
To be honest I actually don’t even know what CAstillo does as Dcord anymore since you have such strong other coaching controlling most of this defense…ALl I picture him doing is slapping player helmets at practice and screaming loud gibbersish in summer heat to try and get them hyped. ANy Dcord in the league would kill to have our defensive personnel for the most part.
Im pretty happy for the most part when it comes to the actual players we have on the Dside of the ball. Some real talent there. However, Juan is a joke to me who could really let that talent go to waste when we could have something truly special this year. I guess Well See
Navy?
I know you want to say it’s only preseason but ……you said that last preseason when it was clear to all watching that Juan had no freakin idea what he was doing…That continued into the season.
Remember?
If preseason didn’t matter then Andy would not have blew his top…ok?
the preseason record doesn’t matter but coaches expectations do.
Personnel have improved on the defensive side of the ball but the same results buddy, which tells us it’s Juan again.
He told us last year that the defense would come together by week 12….Maybe he seen the weakest teams in the last quarter and circled the calendar without understanding 4 games does not get you into the playoffs.
This defense have no fire or sure leader and Andy working on the defensive side of the ball says it all.
Players will be going to Andy over Juan continually when they feel he have no clue, which is often.
Andy should have cut his loses and gave the reigns to Spags and respected him like a defensive coordinator that actually won a Superbowl instead of keeping Juan in over his head. This is Andy Reid’s fault which is a shame.
Even with talent he finds ways to create weak spots…..
Defensive Coordinator – weak spot
He can have all of the freaking urgency he wants, but as long as Vick & the Deer in the head lights D-coordinator, is running both sides of the ball, we DO NOT HAVE A SHOT! I hope I’m wrong, & the rest of the team can compensate, & help us win. But I’m starting to doubt it, because nothing has seemed to change, from last years weaknesses.
there are changes from last year, Cromartie, Demeco, Kendricks are all players on that defense… they will make a difference. As for Mike Vick, he is what he is… our O-Line in my book is not very good… and that includes Kelce and Watkins…
chuckster you are right on, the o-line is overrated. I strongly feel that Kelce is not an NFL caliber center for a playoff team. the only reason he is here is Mudd liked him. you dont rid yourself of a center like jackson immediately. Kelce couldn’t make the o-line calls last yr ( which gave vick the added responsibility ) and against the steelers he couldn’t get movement on the NT.
vick got hurt last wk because mathis didn’t ?? hear kelce’s line call and got whipped at the line ( it would have helped if kelce helped mathis on that play
Songs – you should have been one of those poiliticains you dribble on so much about – or a science fiction writer – glad to see you took my advice and just made a whole bunch of shit up and posted it – glad to see you took my advice and made o mountian out of a little mole hill – glad to see your deep, meaningless interpretation of a meaningless pre-season game –
Pre-season is for nothing more then evaluting and preparing your roster for the regualr season and figuuring out what else you need to work on to get better – so we can take a sniveling bitch like you – for one example out of a possible 50 – back up QB – notice we don;t hear your consant whanking about the back up QB anymore….. guess thats another one of your many misses that you quickly forget (quick bring up Kolb in Arizona!) – or how DRC is doing at CB (how many posts about Asnate from you did we read?)
as for it being Juan – I am sorry, I guess I missed when Juan ran out and lept into the air to throw a forearm in Leftwhich (didn’t that extend a scoringdrive?) on Juan hit the QB late to take away DRC (didn’t you spend all off season bitching (I know redundant) about him) INT – which extended the drive they scored on??? Could that be what Reid was upset about – and since it was a DL (Cox) he spoke to Jenkins to tell the vet to get the rook in line? Maybe – don;t know, don;’t care –
and while we are calling the D a weakspot –
lets see – playing new england in new england –
the D – gave up 1 touchdown (on a drive extended by some really stupid penalities) – two 50+ yard field goals…
total D – 204 yards? Really 204? the way you whine bitch moan gripe and are acting like a 2 year old you would swear that they gave up 425 total yards (oh – that was that genius Bellicheck that gave up 425 yards to a back up rookie QB?)
rushing D – 60 yards on 29 carries – well hell – I can see how after last year having problems against the run – giving up 2 yards a carry would be a big reason for concern.. those bastards – 2 whole yards! Its not like our D gave up 145 yards rushing – oh, that would be NEw Englands D.. –
maybe you are color blind? Can;t tell which team was which..
wait – passing – 15 for 37 for 155 yards…. and most of that yardage was on screens… HOLY SHIT
Seriously Songs – could you BE any more of a bitch.. could you make anymore shit up, you have offcially made Chicken Little look like he deserves a bronze star..
now – knowing you, here you will come up with YOUR excuses for why the game that was played, and the stats from the game that was played, really are not the stats from the game that was played
Here is what I (someone who has a clue – clearly something you can not relate) saw – Tackling was much better (even Djax), Run defense was solid, DRC was a beast – the Linebackers (Akeen Jordan had some nice plays) were very active – Ryans and Kendricks looked very good.. Safeties looked solid –
things to work on – Screens and draws..
See I realize you are a bitch and know nothing so let me explain somehting else to you.. often times in pre-season you try something to see if it works –
like using Kendricks to blitz, or a new pass rush stunt – it is your time to experiment – why – becuase it is meaningless – if it fails you go – tthats sucked…
so songs – go fuck yourself – clearly you are not an eagles fan, clearly you have no desire to see the team suceed and do well – clearly you are a bitch – had the eagles los tto the steelers and pats you would be on here bitching mightily about how the eagles can only beat bad teams, not the big boys, and when they do beat the big boys, you find EXCUSES as to why they beat them, but I guess this is your world, where only you are allowed to make excuses – go on songs – let’s read all your ‘ifs’ – ‘if’ this person had played ‘if’ that person had played – and remember ‘if’ your aunt had balls should would be your uncle –
again – meaningless pre-season game – figure out your roster (guys like Hunt, Thorton, Boykins, Dunlap and that 3rd RB battle). figure out things you need to work on (screens and draws)
As Rocko would say – relax your balls man – Sep 9 will be here soon enough
I love this aggressive Reid……Its about time. GMCliff is impressed. If he did this years ago we would have won at least 4 Superbowls.
Hey bro why don’t you change your name. I don’t like seeing Eagles suck. But I do agree with you regarding Castillo.
DMAN – I just re-read eagles (don;t)suck post, and to me it reminds me of the constant split personality of the folks on this site – When Reid does something similar to what he did in the past – people get on here and write constantly about ‘insanity’ and doing the same thing over and over again (for 14 years!) and expecting a different result – then – when he actually does do somehting totally different, totally out of character – and look sinto a different area – the masses pontificate as to why… they have no clue, so they develop warped theories to fit what they want Andy getting more involved in the D –
Maybe, just maybe, with this D line, this Secondary, and these LBs – Washburn and Bowles, Ried may think he has a chance to have the best D he has ever had in PHilly and wants that D to not be great, but one of the best ever during his regime (people love that word) or maybe he is now at that point with Pederson and MM that he used to be with JJ that he feels more comfortable being away from the O – but as I posted earlier – lets just all make shit up and post it – cause after all – the D did give up 205 total yards in a pre-season game!
Navy, I have a few questions for ya……the answers will bring this whole thing to head…
first, I said Kolb would be a ass from the day he was drafted.. Now, when he was appointed the starter….what did you say?
Songs, it’s just that your very negative and folks are tired of seeing your post.
Have you ever played football ??? ever been under pressure ??? as an eagles fan I, like most people just want to win and be sucessful.
mr1?
I was once on board 100% for years until I seen a pattern with the Head Coach creating blindspots and not replacing them and when he drafted Kolb at a time when we were so close needing a weapon to help our franchise QB…I was really done.
Then he perpetuate the issue by hiring the failed offensive line coach to coach the “D”?
Come on guy….. I’ll state the obvious and not get sucked in only to throw my damn remote at the end of the year.
So, when Andy show me things have changed, then I will change but and the meantime I will not spend one cent on this team.
nice excuse making you whiney bitch – then do us all a favor and just go away! Instead you have to sit around fouling everyone elses enjoyment of the team –
pretty sad that you constantly whine about the eagles excuse making – and looking at your post – whiney excuse maker ever – sorry things didn;t work out, so sad, tood bad, guess you are theonly sports fan in the world that was disappointed –
songs – a coupla questions for you –
when was the last time you actually located your testicles?
when was the last time you had a colonoscopy – cause you got something stuck up your ass you need to get out –
and really – Kolb – ever see the Caine mutiny – the insane Commander keeps trying to live his one moment of glory – no one cares about Kolb – but glad to see you grab the lifeline!
I’ll tell you right now…Thomas is a better safety than Coleman and Allen….He needs to start.
Yep – no dount – Juan Castillo must go! He gave up 3 freakin points! 3! that asshat! And only 2 damn turnovers…. this shit must stop! At this rate the Browns will score 6 points! And the QB might complete half his passes!
And that ass Graham – what only two freakin sacks… piece of dirt – how many sacks the birds get in firsthalf? What was the red zone percentage?
I am pissed – no way I am buying a new eagles hat this year – not gonna spend the money till Andy fires Juan..
soryy – just practicing – just another meaningless pre season game! Nice first half though.. like that Foles kid –
anyone else thinking maybe, just maybe Vick getting hurt not such a bad thing?
ROFL! CLASSICAL SARCASM, AT IT’S BEST! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Anyone remember how often I have stated that Safety Atogwe is washed up and was a waste to even sign in the first place… I don’t see how Atogwe makes this Roster, he plays no Special Teams, and can’t stay healthy to suit an play..
Toss up on Oj and Thomas.but Thomas does have some ballskills.the birds have at least 3-4starters at the end position.Cox has a serious burst .
Maybe this sends a message to Vick about putting on the cape every down. Browns are the best team the birds could open with.No run game whatsoever .
Early pro bowl picks for birds..McCoy maclin cole drc
Erock, Kendricks has a good chance of making the probowl in his rookie yr. Im calling it right now
Too bad Foles had to play against scrubs again; we still don’t know what he will do against an nfl defence. (Only Mostly Sarcastic)
This kid reminds me of Roethlessburger a lot.
Where are all of the Brandon Graham haters at now? Team leader in sacks vs. Browns, multiple sacks during preseason, tackles for losses, hurries, a fumble recovery. Graham is a beast, but you haters will keep hating because you can’t admit you were wrong nor can you handle the truth. Keep ballin # 54!!!
In hiding, & only commenting on things they think they got right. I’ve been saying since I went to Lehigh, he looks healthy, faster, stronger, & on a mission. I can see Curry & Graham, taking the torch from Cole & Babin, in a year or 2, maybe even sooner? Great draft & undrafted pickups, this off-season.
the eagles wanted russell wilson instead of foles but he was already picked
I have seen the problems on defense. First off the combination of Jenkins and Cox isnt very good. Cox isnt ready and I would release Jenkins he is not one of the top 10 defensive lineman. I think Thorton, Dixon and Landri are much more effective. Finally the Eagles got fleeced with Demeco Ryans. He isnt very good. Last I dont care if Curry is a 3rd round pick or not he is clearly the worst DE on the team. Tapp has out performed him and should remain with the team. I dont care about Tapps money the best players should play, period.
Does anyone think the Browns didnt shut it down either? I honestly believe the Browns didnt want to show us much. Teams will kill us with draws and screens. Foles looked good but just like we rushed 4 the Browns rushed 4 and didnt show any blitzes or stunts. Be very very careful of what you think you saw last night. I saw RBs getting 5-10 yards a pop. I think Dixon and Thorton should be aour starting DT. With Landri and Cox coming in on obvious passing downs. Then rotating Babin, Cole, Graham, Hunt and Tapp IMO.
Juan must go, he can’t game plan he can’t make adjustments. The lb’s other than the rookie scare me.
I would feel better if Landri and Dixon started at DT with Cox and Jenkins coming in on obvious passing downs. I would then have Babin, Cole, Hunt, Graham and Tapp rotating in at end. I would then move Kendricks in the middle in nickle situations with Clayton and Cheney.
I would feel better if Landri and Dixon started at DT with Cox and Jenkins coming in on obvious passing downs. I would then have Babin, Cole, Hunt, Graham and Tapp rotating in at end. I would then move Kendricks in the middle in nickle situations with Clayton and Cheney.
Glad Reid finally has a sense of urgency…
With Bozo the clown as defensive coordinator, the Eagles have no chance.
The players don’t fear Castillio. Don’t respect him because they know he does not know what he’s doing. Probably like him.
San Dieago has had a ton of talent for the past 4 years. No superbowl.
Norv is too soft. Knows football, but is too soft.
JJ had a foot waiting for your rear…Like the current offensive line coach.
The talent is there. If Castillio is still coaching the defense at the end of the year, forget getting to the superbowl.
dagg, what exactly has Dixon done/ shown, to give you the impression, that he deserves a spot? He is a non-playmaking, fat waste of potential, who DOESN’T fit Washburns scheme. Jenkins ISN’T going anywhere, Curry has played great, all pre-season, & until the sack last night, Tapp has been invisible. Not to mention his bloated salary ($2,575,000), for a 5-6 rotational DE. WTF, are you exactly watching?!? You have Cole, Curry & Hunt at RDE, & Babin, Graham, & Hunt at LDE, in which all are better & deserving. Where does hunt play? Barring any injuries, HE GONE!
Maybe Reid’s sense of urgency comes from not yet having his contract extended beyond next year. Nothing like the fear of being fired to get you involved in your job.
DCar just Dixons pure size is good enough for me. When Dixon is in the game all that running up the middle stops. No he doesnt rush the passer put your 2 DE do.