Monday, January 21, 2013
Who will run Kelly's defense?
By Tim Kavanagh
UPDATE: So much for that idea.
Jim Herremann has withdrawn from consideration for the Eagles' DC vacancy. The saga continues.
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As the Eagles reportedly decided on an OC over the weekend -- former Browns HC Pat Shurmur, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter -- the big hire for Kelly remains a mystery. However, we do have another possibility as Senior Bowl week gets rolling.
According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Giants LB coach Jim Herremann interviewed for the position over the weekend. Georgia DC Todd Grantham remains the candidate generating the most buzz, however an interview has yet to take place.
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In addition to Grantham, the Eagles have already reached out to Alabama's Kirby Smart, per an earlier report from McLane. In addition, McLane lists Rob Ryan and Romeo Crennel as possibilities from the NFL level, though this is speculative.
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After it looked like the Philadelphia Eagles were going to be going with one of the former HC or rising coordinator candidates from the NFL, the tides turned on Wednesday and they landed the man believed to be their No. 1 target all along: Oregon's Chip Kelly. So Kelly's innovative offensive system is coming to the NFL -- in some form -- but what about the other side of the ball?
According to CSN Philly, one man Kelly is trying to hire as his DC is currently employed at the NCAA level: Georgia DC Todd Grantham.
With Kelly running the show on offense, the Eagles should be a fun team to watch -- provided they can find themselves the personnel to run the system -- but they will need to tighten up a defense that had significant issues in 2012. By expanding their search to the college ranks, perhaps they can find a man who will be able to stir a similar turnaround as Kelly will do on the offensive side.
