Eagles

Defense

Reid also insisted the 1-4 Eagles will keep their Wide-9 scheme going on the defensive line. “You obviously saw it worked the second half very effectively,” Reid said of Sunday’s loss to the Bills. “Anything new, you have to work with and work out the wrinkles and get it right. The players have to learn it, the coaches have to learn it. It’s a joint effort there.”

Reid is on vacation and won’t return until later in the week, so a move at defensive coordinator will have to wait a few days. Multiple December reports suggested Spags would replace Juan Castillo as defensive boss in 2012.

Reid also insisted DC Juan Castillo would have remained with the team were Spags hired. “If you could have two great coaches on defense, it’s better than having one.” Reid’s refusal to talk “titles” may have been what led Spagnuolo to accept the Saints’ defensive coordinator job. After whiffing on Spags, the Eagles settled on new DBs coach Todd Bowles to look over Castillo’s shoulder in 2012.

Now that Steve Spagunolo has landed in New Orleans, the Philadelphia Daily News sees “no reason at this point to think the Eagles will do anything other than march forward with Castillo.” The front office has been tight-lipped about Castillo’s future since owner Jeffrey Lurie’s season-ending press conference.

The rumor in Philly is that Steve Spagnuolo will replace Castillo, allowing Reid to hang on for at least one more season. Many Eagles fans want Reid gone, but it would be in the organization’s best interests to keep most of the offensive staff because of the monetary commitment to Michael Vick. Castillo has been an utter flop in his transition from O-Line coach to D-Coordinator. He has not showed an ability to maximize his personnel, often playing “man” corners like Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in zone coverage.

The Eagles let their embattled first-year coordinator twist in the wind for nearly a month, but have given Castillo another chance after striking out on all potential upgrades. Bowles’ hiring is excellent news for a high-priced Eagles secondary that was often mishandled by Castillo in 2011. If the Eagles’ defense gets off to a sluggish 2012 start, it’s possible Castillo could be replaced by Bowles, who interviewed for a number of head coaching positions this winter.

Kevin Acee of the Union-Trib seconds NFL Network speculation that Rams owner Stan Kroenke will “clean house” after the season. Andy Reid recently gave current DC Juan Castillo the dreaded vote of confidence, but Profootballtalk reported three weeks ago that the change will have to be made in order for Reid to stick as head coach. Spagnuolo should be a major upgrade on the former offensive line coach.

Spagnuolo has been most connected to his former home of Philadelphia, but the Eagles have yet to even fire or demote current DC Juan Castillo, and won’t be a shoo-in for Spags’ services if a bidding war erupts. The only thing that’s clear is that Spagnuolo will coach in 2012 despite still being paid by the Rams.

It’s no secret that the Eagles tried to replace Castillo with Steve Spagnuolo, but lost out to the Saints. “You got to go through Andy (Reid),” Castillo told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’m just working.” Castillo apparently remains on the Eagles’ staff, but may not have been told his specific role. Reid has not addressed his coaching staff since after the Eagles’ Week 17 game.

Andy Reid continues to throw dead weight overboard in an effort to save his job. Washburn’s “wide nine” scheme was ineffective against the run over the last two seasons and ranked just 27th in sacks this year. But more importantly, CSN Philly reports Washburn “had become disruptive and difficult, had threatened to quit, and blew up when [Jason] Babin was released.” Tommy Brasher, who coached the team’s defensive line in 1985 and from 1999 to 2005, has been rehired. The wide nine is mercifully dead.