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| Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE It was Andy Reid's "decision alone" to fire Defensive Coordinator, Juan Castillo. |
Yesterday, the Philadelphia Eagles fired Defensive Coordinator, Juan Castillo. Not Defensive Line Coach, Jim Washburn. Not Offensive Coordinator and play-caller, Marty Mornhinweg. Not Quarterbacks Coach, Doug Pederson. Juan Castillo.
Juan Castillo’s time as the Defensive Coordinator for the
Eagles has been nothing short of controversial. Right from the get go, Andy
Reid’s confusing decision to promote a longtime offensive line coach to
Defensive Coordinator was criticized. It, frankly, didn’t make any sense at
all. As the Eagles started 4-8 in 2011, everyone, including myself, rooting for
the team that inhabits Lincoln Financial Field was calling for Reid and
Castillo’s head. But, it seemed as if the defense truly clicked during the
teams four-game win streak to close out the season. Then, the defense looked to
continue that dominance over their four preseason games, and the team’s first
two regular season wins over the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
Then, the Eagles were 2-0, essentially on a 10-game winning
streak including preseason and the last four games in 2011. Since then, the
team is now 3-3, after losing the last two games on fourth quarter
inefficiency. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, the Birds defense
allowed Ben Roethlisberger to march his squad down the field for Suan Suisham
to kick a game-winning field goal after the offensive took a 16-14 lead. Then,
the following week, the Eagles held a 23-13 lead in the fourth quarter after a
70-yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick to Jeremy Maclin. But then, the
defense failed to hold onto lead, ultimately collapsing at the hands of Matthew
Stafford’s fourth quarter and overtime and falling 26-23.
At least that’s what Andy Reid wants you to think.
That paragraph is a load of crap.
Jaun Castillo is not the reason for the Eagles’ current
two-game losing streak they take with them into the bye week. It’s the
offense’s inconsistency and turnovers.
The Eagles have only had one truly well balanced offensive
play-calling game this entire season. And, that was only during the second half
of their home game vs. the New York Giants in Week 4 that only resulted in a win because
of Lawrence Tyne’s baby foot. But, if you look very closely at the game, the Eagles’
offense should have put up 34 points, not 19. The Red Zone deficiencies are
still there on offense. The overall offensive scoring is weak. The productivity
of the offense is awful. And they’re setting up the defense to fail; allowing
opponent’s to have the best starting field position in the league.
Despite all this, the Eagles defense is still the 13th
best overall defense in the league. Despite the offense being the 31st
ranked scoring offense in the NFL, the defense is still the 13th
best in the league. Despite the offense ranking 25th in Red Zone
scoring percentage, the defense is still the 13th best overall in
the league.
This team’s main problems are offensive turnovers and a
recent failure of the defensive line getting to the quarterback. Michael Vick
has lost 13 of the team’s 17 turnovers. But the Quarterback’s coach hasn’t been
reprimanded. The Wide-9 technique struggled last season because of poor
linebacking and secondary play. Now, the Eagles have a bolstered linebacker
corps and a stronger and more cohesive secondaru. But the Wide-9 is no longer
getting to the quarterback. But the Defensive Line coach wasn’t reprimanded.
The Eagles have criminally underused LeSean McCoy on offense. Yet the
player-calling Offensive Coordinator wasn’t reprimanded. Andy Reid is the face of all these problems, and while I’m
never a fan of a head-coaching midseason change, he wasn’t reprimanded.
I’m in now way Juan Castillo’s biggest fan. But, I am a
believer in his motivational talents and ability to command respect of a group
of players. And I do believe this defense’s problem is the Wide-9 attack.
On paper and to the casual fan, firing Castillo makes
total sense. He’s the man in charge of a defense that gave away the team’s last
two wins. But, taking a closer look, he’s the man in charge of a defense that’s
also inherited the worst starting field position and that’s had to go out and
defend following 17 turnovers through 5 games. That’s honestly annoying!
When you fire someone, you hope things change for the
better. The only way things change for the better is if the Eagles eliminate
turnovers and get to the quarterback. Juan Castillo wasn’t in charge of either
of those things.
I’m looking at you Washburn, Mornhinweg, Pederson and Reid.
The writing is on the wall if things don’t improve.
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