Decent read on McDermott

[Marguide]

Nice read on Sean. I hope he can begin to form his own identity here, although it will be tough to emerge from the shadow of Ron Rivera.

"There is a saying in sports that you never want to be the guy who follows The Guy. You want to be the guy who follows the guy who followed The Guy.

McDermott didn't do a bad job in his 2 years as Johnson's replacement. Yes, he made some mistakes, but his defense led the league in takeaways in 2009-10. Finished a decent 12th in total defense and 14th in points allowed in '10.

In the Eagles' 2010 five-point playoff loss to the Packers, the defense held the eventual Super Bowl champions to 21 points and gave the ball back to the offense in the fourth quarter with more than enough time to drive and score.

But the pressure of following Johnson was constant. Every decision he made, people wondered WWJD? What would Jim do? And Sean knew they were asking it."

Read more: http://www.philly.co...y#ixzz22xozCoeN

[2jakefansinva]

good reid...............Thanks,

[Argus Plexus]

Hopefully he can reproduce those high takeaways this season like he did in Philly. That's all this team needs to be SB bound: Potent offense and opportunistic defense and at least decent ST's.

[iamhubby1]

Hopefully he can reproduce those high takeaways this season like he did in Philly. That's all this team needs to be SB bound: Potent offense and opportunistic defense and at least decent ST's.

Had to read this twice just to be sure I was reading it correctly. A possitive thought. Nice.

People always talk about the three phases of football. I like to think there are four. Take-a-ways are big. Win the turnover battle and you usually win.

Offense, top notch. Special Teams, vastly improved, if Medlock wins kickerz job. Defense, still a question mark. But with a little imagination and some positive reinforcement. Rivea can bring enough improvement to make us 15ish, which should be enough to make us competitive. So if we can also win the turnover battle, we should be strong playoff contenders. Hey, Why Not?

We are only in year two. Will the exitement wane in year 10? Nah. And GOOOOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[pantherclaw]

I'm still not sold on our DC, but he gets another year to do something better with healthy players.

Knock on wood.

[Snake]

Let's hope they can dial up something a little more exotic this year compared to last.

[God]

I like him. Couldnt really judge him last year because our D had no talent.

[panthers55]

Don't expect much other than vanilla in the preseason though. I think we will try some different things but not really dial it up until the regular season. Most players are still trying to learn the basic with so many new guys and those that missed the whole season last year.

I would hope people are smart enough to wait until the regular season to judge.

[natty]

I really consider this Rivera's defense. When he was hired it was expected he'd be 'hands on' with the defense. He didn't get much of a chance last year having no off season and him being a rookie head coach. As far as I'm concerned the entire coaching staff gets a pass for last year, this is the year to prove what they can do.

[rayzor]

i have viewed mcdermmott as one of the youngest and brightest defensive minds in the NFL, much in the same way chud is. while mcD is incredibly creative, he is also a bit undisciplined and unfocused and in need of further mentoring. he got the job in philly probably a couple years earlier than he should have. a couple more years with the johnson and he would have been ready to go. when rivera hired mcD, i thought it was a great hire so that rivera could give him the mentoring he needed. last year that just didn't happen and it was kind of a worst case scenario on several levels for him to start a new job as DC.

things seem to be a lot more settled down here now. he has his healthy defense and will have the benefit of rivera giving him the support and attention he needs.

there may be some that still think he's a horrible DC based on last year and his last year in philly, but in the next couple years people will have a better respect for who he is and what he can do.