Eagles Find a LB Coach

For those worried about Matt Patricia joining the Eagles, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Probably. The team hired DJ Eliot to be the linebackers coach, a role Patricia was rumored to be in the running for. Patricia could still be of interest as some type of advisor, but I just don’t get the feeling that will happen.

Let’s talk about the man who did get the job. Eliot will be new to the NFL, but he’s been coaching since 1999. He has been a LBs coach and a defensive coordinator. He was the DC for Temple last season. Here’s a snippet from his bio:

Eliot’s pedigree includes coaching stops at Kansas, Florida State, Miami, Colorado and Kentucky, as well as time with proven winners and program builders Jimbo Fisher and Mark Stoops. Additionally, Eliot is among a select group of defensive thought-leaders that regularly clinic around the principles of the 3-4 defense and simulated pressures.

That sounds like someone who will fit in well with Sean Desai schematically.

Are there concerns about him coming straight from college?

I'm always a fan of NFL teams looking to the college ranks for position coaches on defense, especially ones with DC experience. They typically have a wide variety of schematic experience handling offenses of all extremes and can provide a holistic view of the unit to their group.

— Honest NFL (@TheHonestNFL) March 9, 2023

That’s a good take on the situation. When Eliot was at Florida State, he had to defend Georgia Tech’s triple-option. While at Kentucky, he had to defend LSU’s pro-style offense. While at Kansas/Colorado, he had to defend several versions of the Air Raid offense. Eliot truly has seen it all. He can take all of those experiences and all that knowledge and use it to teach his LBs.

Caught up with Sirianni for a few minutes after the awards.

"Grinding to get (the staff) done, not in any rush," he said.

He interviewed 10 LBs coaches. Re: D.J. Eliot — "So much energy, so much detail in the way he taught the game."

Sirianni called 30 references on Eliot.

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 10, 2023

You knew Sirianni wasn’t just going to hire anyone. He was looking for the right person. That coach had to fit in terms of personality, culture and scheme. It certainly sounds like Sirianni found someone he’s comfortable with.

Sirianni loves teachers. College coaches must be able to teach. Eliot worked his way up the coaching ladder and spent several years at small schools. Teaching is critical at that level because you can’t rely on pure talent. Eliot got to bigger schools and has worked with some NFL caliber players.

This sure sounds like a Sirianni assistant.

Here is DJ Eliot speaking about this same drill minus the chute. https://t.co/7hdnmeno4b pic.twitter.com/aqdI9zvcXy

— Cain Clifton 🏴‍☠️ (@CainClifton_) December 23, 2021

Lots of detail. Eliot isn’t in there ranting about toughness and physicality. He’s giving detailed instructions on how to play the position. That’s how you get players to improve. You help them to develop very specific skills.

The Eagles still need another coach or two to round out the defensive staff.

Sounds like rest of the staff (DBs coach, in particular) will be wrapped up sooner than later.

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 10, 2023

That would be good. You want those guys to help with draft preparation (going to Pro Days, meeting prospects who visit Philly, having input in draft meetings). The sooner they’re hired, the better.

*****

Sirianni on free agency: "A lot of our players that you always want back. We'll see what happens. Hoping we get some of those guys back."

On whether he thinks that'll happen: "I think so. We'll see, though."

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 10, 2023

Don’t get too excited. I don’t think he’s talking about Hargrave, Bradberry or CGJ.

Hopefully the Eagles will be able to bring back some mid-level guys (Edwards, Epps, BG, etc.). We should start to hear more rumors over the weekend and certainly early next week.

*****

Eagles have released T/G Brett Toth pic.twitter.com/s7Rxakvs5P

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 9, 2023

There are a lot of talented OL prospects. The Eagles will need to add through the draft and with UDFAs to get their depth where they want it.

I’m assuming:

Mailata – Dickerson – Kelce – Jurgens – Johnson

Backup OG is Sua Opeta.

Backup OT is Jack Driscoll.

Things are wide open after that. They’ll lose Isaac Seumalo and Andre Dillard in FA. Josh Sills has serious legal issues. Now Toth is gone.

The Eagles will have some spots to fill.

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