Transcripts Of The Eagles' Defensive Coordinator Interviews Revealed

I am he as you are he as you are me
and we are all together

Yesterday, the Philadelphia Eagles made a stunning announcement when they promote now former offensive line coach Juan Castillo to the position of defensive coordinator. Juan Castillo is someone who has not coached a defense in over 20 years.  In fact, the last defense Juan Castillo was a high school defense back in 1989. And he was not even the coordinator.

This has left many Eagles fans wondering what could the Eagles have possibly been thinking over the past three weeks. More to the point, what were the interviews like? Was everyone else so bad that the Eagles had no choice but to promote from within? Well fortunately for all, I know people with ties to the Eagles organization, and they have generously provided me with transcripts of the interviews that I have taken liberties of posting below. And honestly, after reading them, I am not sure if they give us answers as much as they create more questions.

Andy Reid: Well fellas, it's time we find our next coordinator. Who's ready?

Howie Roseman: I am.

Joe Banner: Yeah, sure, whatever.

Jeffrey Lurie: This isn't going to cost me a lot of money, is it?

Reid: Before we get started, can someone get me a deep dish pizza?

Banner: But sir, you just had two cheesesteaks and a large fry.

Reid: Get me the pizza now!

Banner: I'll order it right away. My question of "who's your all-time favorite Eagle?" can wait.

Reid: Let's bring in our first candidate!

Jim Mora, Jr: Yes! Let's do this! I am ready to be the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles! Man, am I pumped.

Roseman: You do realize you are the only one in the room wearing shorts, don't you?

Mora, Jr.: Have I told you how excited I am about this opportunity?

(large deep dish pizza arrives)

Reid: Thank you very much, Joe.

Mora, Jr.: Is that all for you?

Reid: OM NOM NOM NOM!

Mora, Jr. (audibly whispers) Fat pig.

Banner: Heh.

Reid: You think that's funny? I've been trying real hard to lose weight, and you think jokes like that are funny?

Banner: Sorry sir.

Reid: Not you. I know you were just snickering at how someone could be so audacious to show up to an interview wearing a tank top and shorts and call the person interviewing them a "fat pig." Next!

Mora, Jr.: Bu....but......I was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons! And the 2009 Seattle Seahawks! I have experience!

Roseman: Leave.

Lurie: Would he have been an cheap to afford?

Roseman: No. Now who's next?

Billy Davis: Good afternoon, gentlemen.

Reid: I don't believe I had you scheduled for an interview. You are?

Davis: Billy Davis.

Reid: Funny, your name does not sound familiar. What was your job last year?

Davis: Defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals.

Reid: Next!

Lurie: Would he have been cheap?

Roseman: Probably.

Lurie: Damnit. He's a cheap coordinator with experience, you guys are making a mistake here!

Banner: Can we get on to the next interview? I am tired and want to get home to my cat Lizzy.

Roseman: Yes, yes, we can call our next witness to the stand.

Banner: What?

Reid: He means bring in the next interviewee.

Banner: It's like you two share a brain.

Reid: But before we start, I want dessert. You mind bringing me a whole box of Chocolate Juniors?

Banner: Yeah fine whatever.

Roseman: We have someone anxiously waiting. Come on in!

Dean Pees: Good day all.

Reid: Name?

Pees: Pees. Dean Pees.

Banner: I am sure that Dean does not like having that kind of information divulged in this setting.

Pees: No. Really. My name is Dean Pees.

Roseman: Very well then. Your coaching experience?

Pees: After floating the college ranks for 24 years, I joined the New England Patriots where I served as linebackers coach from 2004-2005 and defensive coordinator from 2009. I then served as the Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach last season.

Lurie: Wait a minute? The New England Patriots? 2004? You were a part of that team? The same Patriots team whose cheap and cowardly cheating ways screwed me out of millions of dollars and even more national fame?

Pees: Uh....yeah.

Lurie: You sir, are the only kind of cheap I do not like. Get out of this office!

Roseman: Calm down, Jeffie. This is the most qualified candidate we have interviewed thus far.

Lurie: I don't care if he has the credentials of Dick LeBeau.......god I am jealous of that winning fucker........get this cheating disgrace of humanity out of my office! GET OUT!

Pees: You're strange. I'm leaving.

Reid: Mmmmm, these Chocolate Juniors are delicious. Who's next?

Juan Castillo: Hey guys!

Roseman: Hey Juan, what's up?

Castillo: I'm not quite sure how to put this, but I am here to interview for your defensive coordinator opening.

Banner: Ha! Oh, wait a minute, you are actually serious?

Castillo: Yes sir, I am. Look, this was probably a bad idea and I should not have come in here.....

Lurie: No, no, please stay. You are not going to cost me a lot of money. Let's hear what you've got.

Reid: Okay. Let's start with the basics. Can you name any players on our defense?

Castillo: Nick Cole.

Reid: What?

Castillo: Trent Cole. Trent Cole. Trent Cole. I'm so sorry I meant Trent Cole, I swear

Roseman: Very well then. Anything else you can tell us about yourself and your defense experience?

Castillo: I was an assistant at Texas A&M-Kingsville and at Kingsville A&M High School in the 1980s.

Banner: Where?

Roseman: Excellent! Those defenses were real vaunted back during your time period.

Castillo: Absolutely. We were Lone Star Conference Champions back in 1985.

Reid: Do you bring any other experience on the defensive side of the bar?

Castillo: Why yes, I do. Jim Johnson would always talk to me to make sure we were sound in terms of our pressure and blitzes. I have always considered myself very versatile. Even though I have been working with offense since 1990, I have always considered myself a defensive guy at heart.

Reid: Did you just say you would talk to Jim Johnson about defensive schemes.

Castillo: Yes, I did say that.

Reid: Congratulations. You've got the job!

Castillo: Wait a minute? Seriously? Thank you so much! You won't be disappointed I swear.

Lurie: Neither will I!

Roseman: Even though I am excited about this hire, you can't say that for sure.

Lurie: Yes, I can. He won't be costing me a lot of money.

Reid: Well now that we got that taken care of, we can sort out the minor contractual details over dinner. Who's hungry?

What The Fuck Just Happened?

I wish this was one of those funny "find the typo" posts.

Your new Eagles defensive coordinator.............former Eagles offensive line coach Juan Castillo. Really, this is what everyone waited three weeks for.

Juan Castillo's past experience with defense:
San Antonio Gunslingers linebacker (1984-1985)
Texas A&M-Kingsville linebackers/defensive line coach (1982-1985)
Kingsville High School linebackers/defensive line coach (1986-1989)

Uh......yeah. That's it. This guy is now defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Castillo said in a press conference today that he always considered himself a defensive guy in an offensive body, and, uh, his offensive line would always go up against Jim Johnson in practice, and yeah, this is the Eagles new defensive coordinator.

I've never seen anything like this in my life. The Eagles offensive coordinator of 12 years has just been named defensive coordinator. That's the befuddling news. The good news is Juan Castillo's replacement as offensive line coach is Howard Mudd, who is one of the best in the business. He was a consultant for the Saints last year after coordinating the Colts offensive line from the time Peyton Manning entered the league to 2009. During that time, the Colts allowed a league-low 227 sacks (Titans are the next lowest at 337 sacks in that time frame).

The Eagles have one of the best special teams coaches in football: Bobby April.
The Eagles have one of the best defensive line coaches in football: Jim Washburn
The Eagles have one of the best offensive line coaches in football: Howard Mudd

Their defensive coordinator is the former o-line coach who claims he is a defensive guy stuck with an offensive coordinator position. Like Sheil Kapadia of Philly.com said today, "At some point in the last 12 years, the Eagles became one of the most unpredictable franchises in the NFL."

Even though the hiring of Mudd is going to be buried under the Castillo news, it is rather significant not only because Mudd is very good at what he does, but because him and Jim Washburn, though they spent years coaching against each other in the AFC South, are best friends who will now be coaching against each other every day in practice. I challenge you to watch this video and not like Washburn and Mudd.

Random Monday Night Eagles Notes: New Secondary Coach, Eagles Plans For Vick Revealed?

I spend the majority of the day at the library and at a TWLOHA meeting and I come back to complete chaos in Eagles news, notes, and rumors.

It is rare that I compliment the Eagles Front Office, but I think I owe them one here. They may be cocky and arrogant more than anything, but they know what the team's problems are and they have just taken a really nice step on the defensive side of the ball by bringing in a new secondary coach that has the experience to help McDermott and may also be able to work with Asante Samuel and our clusterfuck of safeties. His credentials in this field: DB coach at Buffalo in and Green Bay (which included working with Andy Reid), Defensive coordinator with Jacksonville and Detroit, and a couple of head coaching jobs that he'd probably rather not talk about. Meet Dick Jauron, the Eagles new secondary coach! Fuck. Yeah. Bitches.

Before you laugh at Jauron, his head coaching failures, and the Eagles bringing in such a guy, let's not forget who he is, what he was, and what he brings. As a coach, he brings experience that Sean McDermott badly needs on his staff, both in working with Reid and coaching the secondary positions and defense as a whole (don't forget he was a former DC). When Jauron played football, he was a free safety. Guess what? The Eagles have a young free safety named Macho Harris who could really use someone like Jauron to mentor him. And let's think about this. You got a guy who's been a DC for 3 teams and has even coordinated a conference championship game, a guy who has been a 2-time head coach in this league, and after all that, he is your DB coach! What a bargain and frankly, that is about as good a hire as you can possibly get for that position.

And now for some information about Michael Vick. It appears as if the Eagles will in fact pick up Vick's option. From NFL.com

The Philadelphia Eagles plan on keeping Vick in 2010, NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi reported Tuesday.

"They have no intention this offseason of trading Michael Vick," Lombardi said on NFL Network's NFL Total Access. "Many people around the league feel like that's a lot of false bravado, (and) they're going to release him, because he has a ($1.5 million) roster bonus due in March. Not the case."

For his part, Vick has made it known that he's seeking a starting job. That said, he hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning to the Eagles.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated's Dan Patrick on Monday, Vick spoke about staying in Philadelphia.

"I would really have to think about it," Vick said. "I like the coaching staff. I like the people around there. Maybe I would do it. Who knows?"

In the end, though, it isn't Vick's call to make. The Eagles have an option to keep him next season and will have the final say in his future. As of now, they already are figuring out ways to increase his role, Lombardi reported.

"The Eagles believe as this offseason continues, they could incorporate him more into their offense," Lombardi said. "Seven-to-15 plays, he's a unique player, plus he could start at a moment's notice. Most of the National Football League will take this as a surprise, but the Eagles believe they're in a very good position, and they won't trade Michael Vick."

Yeah, Lombardi. And Ruben Amaro had no intention of bringing the man who was widely reported to be his "White Whale", Roy Halladay.

However, I do see the Eagles picking up Vick's option for next season for one reason and one reason only.....so they can get something back for him. Unlike JC, I have no problems with Vick and I would be perfectly happy to see him in an Eagles uniform next season, however, I think it is the smartest decision for all parties involved if the Eagles pick up the option just so they can trade him. That way the Eagles get a nice return and Vick can possibly be a starter again in the NFL as Kevin Kolb still appears to be the team's long-term fill-in when McNabb goes down.

For The 3rd Time, Welcome Jeremiah Trotter To The Philadelphia Eagles!

It's out with the old and in with the older in Philadelphia as the Eagles have waived Jeff Garcia in order to make room for beloved Eagle The Axe Man, Jeremiah Trotter. Via CSN Philly

Believe it or not, latter also has come true. The Eagles on Tuesday signed Trotter to a one-year deal and released quarterback Jeff Garcia.

Trotter, 32, last played in 2007 for Tampa Bay after being ceremoniously released by the Eagles. He worked out for the team last Thursday after being called by head coach Andy Reid that morning.

Trotter had clean-out surgery on his right knee following the 2007 season, and Reid – given the Eagles’ precarious situation at middle linebacker – feels he can help a run defense that suffered a major loss when Stewart Bradley was lost for the season in training camp.

“Jeremiah Trotter has always been one of my favorite players,” head coach Andy Reid said in a statement released by the team. “He has worked very hard to keep himself in shape and we are pleased with where he is physically. We are excited to give him an opportunity to contribute to our football team.”

In the offseason Trotter trained with former Eagles teammates Quintin Mikell, Sheldon Brown and David Akers.

“He looked like he can still move. He looked like he’s been working on it – his footwork and his speed and all that stuff,” Mikell said. “That’s one thing we were working on together with our trainer.”

Well then! I'm not quite sure what's been the biggest acquisition this year. Between the Eagles signing Michael Vick, Jeff Garcia (again), and Jeremiah Trotter, it's been a bevy of unexpected moves. I talked about this with Vick, but there is a difference between being in shape and football shape, and while Trotter may still look good and be in good shape, his football shape certainly has to be questioned. After all, he has not played since 2007. How long will it take for him to re-adjust to the speed of the game and can he still be as effective as he was his last 2 go-arounds with the Eagles?

The Axe Man is back in Philly!

The Philadelphia Eagles Have Named A Starting Linebacker

And I'm not too happy about it. Yep, you guessed it, Omar Gaither got the starting job. Ugh. From Philly's CBS affiliate, CBS3

The Philadelphia Eagles are changing their starting middle linebacker two weeks before the start of the regular season.

Omar Gaither is taking over for Joe Mays. Mays had replaced Stewart Bradley, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Gaither was the starter in 2007.

Gaither had been bothered by a sore knee throughout training camp, but returned to practice on a limited basis last week and was out with the starting unit at practice Sunday. He will remain in that role leading up to the season opener Sept. 13 at Carolina.

While he's an all right pass defender, he is horrible against the run. And guess what is one of the main primary functions of the middle linebacker? Stopping the run! Ugh. Here's hoping he has improved big time over the past couple years.

Some Sad News Regarding Jim Johnson

Sad news coming out of Philadelphia. It appears that the Eagles' beloved defensive coordinator, Jim Johnson, has been diagnosed with cancer in his spine. Via the Associated Press.

Johnson was diagnosed Monday with a malignant tumor on his spine and has begun radiation treatments at Bryn Mawr Hospital, team spokesman Derek Boyko said.

The tumor developed from a melanoma in the same area where Johnson's skin cancer was diagnosed in 2001, Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder told The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. Johnson also has cancer in other areas of his body, Burkholder said, but he declined to elaborate. The team did not offer a prognosis.

``Who knows where it tracked to from there, but his symptoms came from the spine,'' Burkholder told The Inquirer. ``Now there are some other areas in his body (that have cancer), but I'm not going to get into where else some other stuff is. They will all be treated together. ``

No surgery is scheduled and Johnson, who has been defensive coordinator for 10 years under coach Andy Reid, intends to continue coaching, Burkholder told the newspapers.

This is definitley sad news. Not only is he a great defensive coordinator but he also seems like he's a great person as well. And while I hope that Johnson follows through with his plans and returns as defensive coordinator, the man's health is more important. Hopefully he'll be able to beat it like he did in 2001 and everything will be all right. We're all behind you, Jim Johnson.

Jim Johnson Diagnosed With Cancer (Comcast.net via the Associated Press)