The decision to fire Sean McDermott...

[Mr. Scot]

...might not have come from Andy Reid.

From Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Jeff McLane: Inside the Eagles: End in sight for Reid's Eagles tenure?

Since the end of the 2009 season, Reid's actions and that of the front office have revealed as much. But two recent firings - one of his own doing and the other a possible foretelling - suggest that Reid's foothold isn't as sturdy as it was once.

Sean McDermott was as much a progeny of Reid as any of his assistants. While he adopted the young intern from the previous regime, Reid considered McDermott one of his own and would groom him to one day be a defensive coordinator. That is what he became - perhaps a little earlier than expected - when Jim Johnson died in July 2009.

Despite signs that McDermott was not yet ready for the job, Reid stood behind his young coordinator throughout a topsy-turvy season and right up until the day after a first-round playoff loss. Three days later, McDermott was fired.

There were signs earlier in the season that McDermott was on the chopping block. An ESPN NFL reporter went on the radio in October and said as much. A few weeks later, Reid, in a rare behind-the-scenes moment, scoffed at the notion and the accuracy of the reporter.

McDermott's defense at the time had rebounded briefly, but the Eagles' brass had already become wary of the 36-year-old. The unit's handful of problems resurfaced down the stretch and a once promising season ended abruptly. There was enough there to ask if McDermott would be back.

Reid said, "Yeah." But something changed over the next 72 hours. A team source said that Reid had already made up his mind by his season-ending news conference, and was just buying time. But his words in support of McDermott were emphatic.

Reid has final say on all football matters, the Eagles' front office has said repeatedly. But that does not mean owner Jeffrey Lurie, team president Joe Banner, and general manager Howie Roseman don't influence his decisions.

[SorthNarolina]

we sure did snap him up quick.

Glass half empty; He was fired because he sucks and Rivera snapped him up as the ultimate yes man.

Glass half full; He was fired because the Eagles braintrust had unreasonable motives against him and Rivera snapped him up so fast because he's a boss.

[Zod]

We picked him up because it is a perfect situation for him and the panthers. Come to a team where the head coach was a successful DC and wants to still keep involved with the defense. Less pressure on McDermott who still has a huge upside. Less worry about Rivera's involvement undermining a more experienced coach.

I see it as an ideal situation.

[Highlandfire]

We picked him up because it is a perfect situation for him and the panthers. Come to a team where the head coach was a successful DC and wants to still keep involved with the defense. Less pressure on McDermott who still has a huge upside. Less worry about Rivera's involvement undermining a more experienced coach.

I see it as an ideal situation.

Agreed, it is a perfect situation. Give the kid 3 years under Rivera and I bet he improves drastically. And FTR, the Eagles D wasn't that bad. Not where it should have been granted, but not a bottom feeder.

[MadHatter]

We picked him up because it is a perfect situation for him and the panthers. Come to a team where the head coach was a successful DC and wants to still keep involved with the defense. Less pressure on McDermott who still has a huge upside. Less worry about Rivera's involvement undermining a more experienced coach.

I see it as an ideal situation.

Spot on....not to mention that both he and Rivera has a very similar philophical approach to defense (both from the Jim Johnson tree).

[Panthro]

plus Scrum will have someone to cheer for now

[Scrumtrilescent]

I will have a perpetual boner if we get Dalton to go along with McDermott.

Wait, that didn't sound right.

[CatMan72]

I also think we realized McDermott was taking the fall for a defense lacking talent.

[Big Ed]

Eagles got spoiled by Johnson's defense

And when their new DC did not match what they were use to ,they dumped him

Panthers made a great move here

He trained under one of the best Defensive minds

He got the rookie D C gitters removed with Eagles and has time to reflect back and UP his game with Panthers

Hard to step in a legends shoes

[CatMan72]

Eagles got spoiled by Johnson's defense

And when their new DC did not match what they were use to ,they dumped him

Panthers made a great move here

He trained under one of the best Defensive minds

He got the rookie D C gitters removed with Eagles and has time to reflect back and UP his game with Panthers

Hard to step in a legends shoes

Especially when that legend was working with a much higher level of talent.