A source told Sporting News that defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and defensive line coach Mike Phair remain bullish on their roles with the franchise no matter who is named the next head coach.
Earlier media reports had linked McDaniels and Eberflus together if the former was going to land a head coaching position. Ballard, though, already had held Eberflus in high regard with the Colts organizationally wanting to resume running a “Tampa-Two” style of defense. Ballard was familiar with that attack during his time scouting for head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo with the Chicago Bears.
The third staff member recently hired by the Colts, offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo, did have direct ties to McDaniels from when both were with New England. DeGuglielmo, though, also remains wanted by Indianapolis even after McDaniels reneged on taking the HC job.
“We will not abandon them,” Ballard said. “They’re good coaches. They’re good people. They’re good developer of men and that’s what we want.”
New Orleans assistant head coach Dan Campbell and Philadelphia offensive coordinator Frank Reich are considered the two frontrunners for the Indianapolis head-coaching job. NFL Network reported the Colts also have submitted a request to interview Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.
The Colts had announced Tuesday that McDaniels agreed to contract terms, but a written agreement was never finalized. Later that day, McDaniels informed Ballard he was returning to New England as offensive coordinator.
In each of those cases, the opposing coaches were guilty of strategic errors that essentially involved underestimating the capability of Brady and his pals to concoct a game-changing NFL Jerseys Nike comeback. So even if these Patriots are no longer the most impressive or lethal team, they are probably Cheap NFL Jerseys USA the most resilient team in the history of American sport. Nope. Not falling into that trap. The Eagles might lead Sunday’s game, could even dominate, but the Patriots are winning in the end. Patriots 28, Eagles 24.
That, of course, sparked the rumor mill and it wasn’t long before Russini backtracked her original report on Twitter.
“I did not word this carefully enough, ESPN is not reporting or even suggesting this is going to happen. I was watching the show and our insiders responded to the unsubstantiated chatter,” Russini wrote.