Everything You Need To Know About Andy Reid's Decision To Hire Juan Castillo

Jonathan Tamari, taking a break from his new job as the Inquirer's Washington correspondent to weigh in on Juan Castillo's firing. This nugget stuck out:

So when Reid asked him to become the Eagles’ defensive coordinator after more than 20 years teaching offense, Castillo agreed, never mind that his last experience on D was at a Texas high school in 1989. (Apropos of his maniacal work ethic, the interview was at 4 a.m.) Castillo said this was what he always really wanted.

When was the last time anyone made a good decision at 4 a.m.?

First Shoe Drops: Tamari Leaves Eagles Beat

Jonathan Tamari:

Lastly, a bittersweet personal note: I’ll be leaving the ‪#Eagles‬ beat by the end of July to become the Inquirer’s Washington correspondent

We’ll miss Jon, who was always a real pro covering the team. Hope he’ll enjoy his new politics post, especially in the lead up to the election.

Word through the grapevine is that Jeff McLane may be moving on as well — leaving the paper entirely. A complete changing of the guard seems to be underway.

Update: Zach Berman, of The New York Times and the relatively new Philadelphia SportsWeek, has been hired as a beat reporter in Tamari’s place. Chad Graff is also covering the team, at least through training camp.

Willing to Walk Away?

Jonathan Tamari pens an excellent mini-profile of Trent Cole:

“I might play into another contract,” Cole said. He added that he hopes to finish his career as an Eagle - “When they cut me, I’m, ‘OK. I’m ready to retire,’ ” - but then hedged when asked if he could ever play elsewhere.

“No,” he said, “unless the money’s right, for real.”

That’s a strange quote Tamari picked up, about being willing to retire when the Eagles let him go. Cole gives the money qualifier after, but it’s still an odd insight into the mindset of the Eagles’ stellar but typically reserved defensive end.

'Why Did I Do That?'

Jonathan Tamari:

“Some if it was, ‘What was I thinking?’ ” Pederson said, describing Vick’s reaction to last year’s game tapes. Some turnovers were out of his hands. A few interceptions came from wild tips. But “for the most part it’s just ‘Why? … Why did I do that?’ And that’s the kind of thing that we missed a year ago in that offseason.”

Sometimes your greatest strength can be your greatest weakness. For Michael Vick, his athleticism allows him to skate by on improvisation alone. It’s good to see him questioning that mentality.

Get Well Soon, Colt

Jonathan Tamari:

“To be at the highest of highs, with your family all around, to being at the lowest of lows when I’m walking off the field,” Anderson said. “I’m a pretty emotional guy, and I didn’t feel anything [in the knee]. It wasn’t hurt. It was just weak, and I was just crying because I knew my season was over. I wasn’t crying because I hurt.”

Anderson had torn his anterior cruciate ligament. It was the first major injury of his career.

With apologies to Ike Reese, Colt Anderson might be the best special teams ace the Eagles have ever employed. Here’s hoping he can heal to the point where the PUP list is a real possibility. Still, I wonder if he’ll ever regain the reckless abandon needed to blow up so many kickoff returns.

Bowles Turned Down Raiders Coordinator Job

Jonathan Tamari:

Bowles, the only new addition to the coaching staff, took the Eagles job over offers to become the defensive coordinator in Oakland, to remain the assistant head coach/secondary coach in Miami, or take the same position in Cincinnati.

Obviously, we’re taking new secondary coach Todd Bowles at his word here, but it’s surprising to say the least. Perhaps Bowles thought that his input would actually have a bigger impact working “under” Juan Castillo rather than defensive-minded Raiders head coach Dennis Allen.

Eagles Director of Player Personnel to the Colts

Jonathan Tamari:

Grigson would take the GM job a team facing huge decisions, with the number one pick in April’s draft and a choice to make on franchise quarterback Peyton Manning.

Grigson, 39, was promoted to director of player personnel in 2010 after spending four years as the team’s director of college scouting. He helped scout top college players and NFL free agents. He previously worked with the Rams.

Tough to tell: will the Eagles drafting improve or get even worse?

A Lost Season for Brandon Graham

Jonathan Tamari, at Birds’ Eye View:

Graham knows Pierre-Paul’s numbers: 12.5 sacks, a big blocked field goal last week.

“It’s tough for me going through it because I’ve got to live with it,” Graham said, referring to the expectations and comparisons. At times, he doesn’t even want to go out because he knows the questions he will face from fans.