Multiple sources are reporting that the Eagles have contacted former Falcons and Seahawks head coach Jim Mora Jr about their vacant defensive coordinator position. Mora was the head coach of the 2004 Falcons team that lost to the Eagles in the NFC title game. If it’s experience Reid is looking for, Mora has a wealth of it with over 20 years in the NFL, nine of which were spent as a defensive coordinator or head coach. Reports are that Andy Reid has already spoken with Mora, who is interested, but no offers have been made.
Over on Bleeding Green Nation, we took a closer look at how Mora’s defenses performed in his time as a coordinator with the 49ers. The short version is that he was able to take a really bad unit and in a few years turn into one of the top 10 defenses in the NFL, but he didn’t seem to have much sustained success. Of course, soon after he had the top 10 defense he got a head coaching job…
Mora would certainly bring the experience and personality to the position that McDermott lacked. I can’t call him an exciting choice, but there’s no reason to think he wouldn’t at least do a solid job. That said, if the personnel on defense isn’t addressed… it probably doesn’t matter who the defensive coordinator is. Mora is no miracle worker. He isn’t going to make Dimitri Patterson into a starting caliber NFL corner. He isn’t going to mold these linebackers into anything more than they are…
Whoever the new Eagles defensive coordinator is, the team has to put him in a position to be successful by upgrading the personnel. Of course, if the Eagles got out sign Nnamdi Asomugha this offseason, Sean McDermott is probably going to be say “Hey, why couldn’t I have gotten a guy like that?”