Eagles to name McDermott defensive coordinator

[Alexander]

Eagles to name McDermott defensive coordinator
Posted by Mike Florio on July 24, 2009 10:33 AM ET
In a development that implies somber news regarding long-time Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's battle with melanoma, the Eagles have announced the Sean McDermott will be named the team's new defensive coordinator.

The story posted at the team's official web site is silent as to the reason for the move. Previously, McDermott was named to the post on an interim basis.

A press conference is scheduled for Saturday morning. At that time, more information likely will be provided regarding Johnson's condition. The fact that McDermott will be elevated from interim to permanent, however, is not a good sign.

"It's part of my life," Johnson said during a May press conference regarding his intention not to retire. "It keeps me going."

We wish Johnson all the best in his continuing battle, and we hope at some point he'll be able to return to the sport that keeps so many of us going, every day of the year.

 

[tchoice23]

We wish Johnson all the best in his continuing battle, and we hope at some point he'll be able to return to the sport that keeps so many of us going, every day of the year.

I wish he lives and is cancer-free, but i hope he does not return to NFC east

 

[JBS]

darn, this guy has been a major thorn in our side for so long now, it is a shame it has to end like this. It definitely wont be the same facing the Egirls defense without him, in my opinion he has been the best defensive coordinator of his era.

 

[zrinkill]

This is horrible news.

 

[Silverstar]

in my opinion he has been the best defensive coordinator of his era.

Dick LeBeau was better

 

[AbeBeta]

tough road ahead for Johnson. He is truly one of the greatest DC's I've seen.

Don't sleep on McDermott though. He's a guy who likely would have been a strong DC candidate elsewhere had he wanted to leave Philly. One or two good seasons and he's a hot HC candidate.

 

[cobra]

I have a lot of respect for Jim Johnson and wish him the best.

 

[Joe Realist]

Jim Johnson has been very good. I would not breathe a sign of relief because of his replacement. The Eagles defense will still be tough to deal with.

 

[BAT]

Dick LeBeau was better

That's debatable. Even if there was a way to quantify that, Jim Johnson is still one of the greatest DCs, not just of this era, of any era. He was the real genius in Philly.


That said, McDermott is going to be a good one too. I have wanted to sign him as DC since Parcells was here.

 

[Timbo2st]

Yea, it kind of stinks when you lose a coach that's been with the organization this entire decade. It's kind of like if Andy Reid left, since they both started in 1999. Well, the system is in place, we'll see whether or not McDermott is up to the task.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I've never seen a defensive coordinator better at designing and timing blitzes than Jim Johnson.

 

[Bizwah]

I've never seen a defensive coordinator better at designing and timing blitzes than Jim Johnson.

He was also great at making adjustments.

We crushed the Eagles back in Drew Bledsoe's first start against them at Texas Stadium. We couldn't be stopped. Yet, in our second meeting we could barely move the ball. It took a miracle (dumb INT by McNabb) to seal the win.

The next year, we did a solid job of moving the ball in our first game. It was TO's first year. We actually had a chance at the end of the game...nice comeback by us. The second game (Romo's first start against them) we were stymied on offense.

Two years ago we crushed them the first game in Philly. TO had a ton of yards, and Witten had a couple of huge plays too. Yet, in the second game we struggle to contain the Eagles blitz.

Last year we moved the ball efficiently in our first game against Philly. We scored a ton of points. Again, in the second game they come out and totally spank us. We had no answer for their blitz.

Johnston really was able to figure us out in our second games. It wasn't the Eagles' offense that beat us. It was the defense in those second games.

We'll see if his successor can do the same.

 

[odog422]

He was also great at making adjustments.

We crushed the Eagles back in Drew Bledsoe's first start against them at Texas Stadium. We couldn't be stopped. Yet, in our second meeting we could barely move the ball. It took a miracle (dumb INT by McNabb) to seal the win.

The next year, we did a solid job of moving the ball in our first game. It was TO's first year. We actually had a chance at the end of the game...nice comeback by us. The second game (Romo's first start against them) we were stymied on offense.

Two years ago we crushed them the first game in Philly. TO had a ton of yards, and Witten had a couple of huge plays too. Yet, in the second game we struggle to contain the Eagles blitz.

Last year we moved the ball efficiently in our first game against Philly. We scored a ton of points. Again, in the second game they come out and totally spank us. We had no answer for their blitz.

Johnston really was able to figure us out in our second games. It wasn't the Eagles' offense that beat us. It was the defense in those second games.

We'll see if his successor can do the same.

So true. Great at adjustments.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

I feel for Jim Johnson and wish him the best. He is a true professional in every aspect of the term.

I won't, however, miss seeing him coach the Eagles defense.

 

[burmafrd]

I think this was kind of expected by a lot of people. His kind of cancer if you do not get it quick it usually gets you. Shame.
Anyone thinking that this does not weaken the Eagles really has no clue. Losing him and Dawkins takes a lot of the instincts and brains away from their D.

 

[theogt]

That's debatable.

Not really.

 

[Seven]

Jim Johnson has been very good. I would not breathe a sign of relief because of his replacement. The Eagles defense will still be tough to deal with.

They'll be playing for Johnson.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

We wish Johnson all the best in his continuing battle, and we hope at some point he'll be able to return to the sport that keeps so many of us going, every day of the year.

Very classy Alexander. Appreciated.

PT

 

[Bizwah]

Very classy Alexander. Appreciated.

PT

As much as we hate each other's teams....in the end football is only a game.

 

[AbeBeta]

They'll be playing for Johnson.

In cliche world maybe.