Was Eagles Jim Washburn A Success In His First Year?

The Philadelphia Eagles brought in defensive line coach Jim Washburn for a particular reason:  pressure on the quarterback.  Washburn resume suggested a history of success.  The Washburn wide nine system is designed specifically to enhance the defensive ends ability to get to the quarterback. Early in the 2011 campaign, the wide nine technique worked, however, the Eagles run defense was exposed with the large gaps the split defensive ends created.  The linebackers responsibility of filling the gaps became too much for the Eagles young, inexperienced, under-sized linebacking corp. What is curious to me is that it took awhile, middle-to-end of the season, for the adjustment to be made.  Who was responsible for the lack of tweeking the defensive scheme:  Jim Washburn or defensive coordinator, Juan Castillo?  I believe the answer is pretty clear:  Jim Washburn. I, and many others, speculate that Jim Washburn wielded more influence over the defense than Juan Castillo at the start of the ...