The Eagles rank in the middle of the pack in total defense, allowing 352.0 yards per game this season, good for 15th in the NFL. In fact, the pass defense ranks seventh in the NFL.
However, the defense has been criticized for its run defense (30th in the NFL) and the amount of points allowed (26th). But the players in the locker room don't believe all of the blame should be placed in the hands of coordinator Juan Castillo. The Eagles believe they should be accountable for their own mistakes.
"There's a reason why we're looking good at times and then we're looking bad at times. The reason why we're looking bad is because guys aren't doing the right things," said safety Kurt Coleman, who pointed out that the team is second in the league in three-and-outs. "I think that's what's putting us in a bad position. It's making him look bad and it's unfortunate."
Mired in a four-game losing streak, it could be very easy for Castillo to throw out the baby with the bath water, as the old saying goes. But just like head coach Andy Reid, the players say that Castillo has been unflappable.
"Juan's the guy. During all of this that's going on with the defense giving up plays, not getting the turnovers we want and things not going our way; he hasn't panicked," defensive end Jason Babin said on Comcast SportsNet's Daily News Live. "He hasn't freaked out. ... He's stuck to the plan. We're going to get the fundamentals.
"Without a doubt, I know that he's not panicking. He's our leader."
It might be frustrating for fans to hear that the Eagles must work on little things such as tackling, leverage, gap control and hand speed. But, to borrow from another cliché, the devil is in the details.
"He recognizes these little things that become the big problems and that's what we're going to work on," Babin said.
This Sunday, the Eagles are going to be a desperate team. They travel to Washington with one loss already in the NFC East. The Redskins are fresh, coming off the bye holding first place in the NFC East at 3-1. The Eagles can't afford to go into the bye week with five straight losses. The Eagles didn't have five losses last year until Week 16.
The Redskins are effective at running the football with Ryan Torain and Tim Hightower. They rank eighth in the NFL in rushing yards per game. If Castillo is going to get this defense back on track, now is a good time to do so.
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