Eagles Coach Brian Johnson Sidesteps Question on Philly's Defense: 'I Don't Know'
PHILADELPHIA - Arizona Cardinals punter Blake Gilliken got the day off Sunday during a 35-31 upset over the sinking Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles' much-maligned defense finally forced a punt on Tuesday, however. The problem is it came from their offensive coordinator Brian Johnson.
When asked why the defensive struggles didn’t play a factor in being more aggressive late, Johnson didn’t even attempt to dodge things.
“I don't know if I can answer that question for you. I don't know if I can answer that question,” Johnson said while essentially tapping out.
Eagles OC Brian Johnson didn't want to address the Eagles' defense on Tuesday.
John McMullen/Eagles Today
Matt Patricia didn't get off as easy and according to the de facto defensive coordinator, it turns out Jonathan Gannon knows the Philadelphia Eagles pretty well.
The organization’s former DC, Gannon returned to Lincoln Financial Field and was the architect of the Cardinals’ stunning comeback that has left the Eagles reeling and searching for answers with the playoffs approaching.
Once 10-1 and on top of the NFL heap, the Eagles are now 11-5 and limping toward the regular-season finish line against another supposed easy mark in the New York Giants.
Nothing is coming easy for Philadelphia these days, however.
In the case of Gannon, there is a wide berth between the perception of some fans in Philadelphia who needed a scapegoat after a disappointing Super Bowl LVII loss and the Lombardi-like status Nick Sirianni and now Patricia put on the Cardinals head coach.
Patricia got his turn to explain what happened in a game where the Cardinals never needed Gilliken in what was one of the most effective offensive performances in the entire league this season.
The Eagles’ defense faced eight Cardinals possessions and allowed four touchdowns and two field goals with two stops, a meaningless white flag at intermission, and a brilliant 99-yard pick-six by rookie safety Sydney Brown.
“I do want to give Coach Gannon credit,” Patricia said. “They did a great job of game planning. The offensive staff, Arizona really had some great schemes and ideas and got us into some different sets and looks, adjustments, both in coverage and front and did a really outstanding job of taking advantage of those situations.
“Those are things that I've got to focus on and make sure we get fixed and corrected which we will.”
Time is running out on "will," as win or lose against the Giants, the odds place the Eagles as the likely No. 5 seed to open the playoffs, meaning a visit to Tampa Bay, New Orleans, or Atlanta on the horizon with the Bucs the most likely opponent.
The Eagles handled Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers on the Gulf Coast in Week 3 with perhaps their best defensive performance of the year en route to a 25-11 smothering win.
Things have changed mightily since then and Philadelphia’s swagger has been replaced by the uncertainty only losing provides.
The Eagles’ offense has its problems but the Philadelphia defense is not carrying its water right now and all Patricia could offer up was a shield to protect his underachieving personnel.
“Our guys, they play really hard," Patricia said. "They are out on the field competing, and it's up to us as coaches to get them in a situation where they can go out and perform at a level that we need them to help us win."
Johnson was wise to punt and let the people above his pay grade answer for what's going on.
