When the Eagles abruptly fired defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, it was assumed by certain Internet hacks that coach Andy Reid had a plan in place for replacing the man who was trying to replace the late Jim Johnson.
The plan possibly was, “We have no plan.”
The Eagles are still looking for a new defensive coordinator, and the latest name to emerge hints at a possible willingness to consider a dramatic overhaul to the team’s approach.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Eagles have sought permission to interview Ravens linebackers coach Dean Pees for the position.
Pees, a long-time college coach, has worked exclusively at the NFL level for teams that employ the 3-4 defense. He spent 2004 through 2009 with the Patriots and 2010 with the Ravens. The Eagles, however, are built to run the 4-3.
Or are they? Last year, Ray Didinger pointed out that the team seemed to be loading up on players who could flourish in a 3-4 defense, which would make the move less clumsy than it was for, say, the Redskins in 2010.
Of course, such a shift would quiet speculation that the Eagles will try to land defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, so that he could be reunited with former Titans defensive line coach and new Eagles defensive line coach Jim Washburn.
The other known candidates for the defensive coordinator job in Philly primarily are known for running a 4-3 attack. If the Eagles are now considering a shift to a 3-4, that opens up a new universe of potential candidates.
Including a certain 3-4 specialist who’ll be appearing on Thursday’s edition of ProFootballTalk Live.