The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page D04

D4 www.phill3r.com THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Wednesday, February 9, 2011 Lynn bolsters the Eagles' staff As cornerbacks coach, the former 49ers assistant provides experience. philly corn Read "Birds' Eye View," by Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari, at http:go.philly.combirdseye. 4 Ilk 4,,, tap, III i E--, illi '''4 -44ilf 4 1114o iir Ilk 1:11 ii, Ak 11 I I 'I, fl II' i. i 'Ali 1 1 likt MIKE ROEMER Associated Press With the Vince Lombardi Trophy next to him, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers talks to the crowd in Lambeau Field. Doug Pederson will take over for Urban as quarterbacks coach after serving as offensive quality control coach for the last two years.

David Cul ley will remain as wide receivers coach but added senior offensive assistant to his title, a promotion in line with the Eagles' strong receiver play in recent years. Former Eagles running back Duce Staley, who interned with the team in 2010, was named special-teams quality-control coach. He worked extensively with the running backs last season. Bobby April the 28-yearold son of special-teams coordinator Bobby April, will join the Eagles as a defensive quality-control coach. He was special-teams coordinator and safeties coach at Nicholls State (La.) last year.

On the field, the Eagles added Trufant, who joined the Jets' active roster on Dec. 30 and played in one game, making two special-teams tackles. He was the United Football League's defensive player of the year in 2010. He led the league with four interceptions as a member of the Las Vegas Locomotives. Trufant, 28, played at Eastern Washington in college and is the younger brother of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant.

Warm welcome for Packers in frigid Green Bay By Jonathan Tamari INQUIRER STAFF WRITER The Eagles brought some much-needed experience to their defensive coaching staff Tuesday, hiring Johnnie Lynn as their cornerbacks coach. The team also promoted four other coaches from within and hired Bobby April's son. The Eagles also claimed cornerback Isaiah Trufant off waivers from the New York Jets. The most significant move was adding Lynn, who has 17 years of NFL coaching experience and will become a secondarycornerbacks coach. He last worked with the San Francisco 49ers as a secondary coach and special assistant to the head coach but left the team in early December for what were described as "personal reasons." He has coached in the NFL since 1994, including two years as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator and coaching the Baltimore Ravens' secondary in 2004 and 2005.

Lynn, 84, joins a defensive staff that, outside of new defensive-line coach Jim Washburn, is short on experience. Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo has been in the NFL since 1998 but has spent his entire professional coaching career on offense. Linebackers coach Mike Caldwell and safeties coach Michael Zordich, each named to those posts Monday, are first-time position coaches after learning in the Eagles' system for the last several years. Until Lynn's hiring, only Washburn, who has coached NFL defensive linemen since 1998, had extensive experience on defense. Washburn, Lynn, Caldwell, Zordich, and new offensive-line coach Howard Mudd are scheduled to meet with the media on Wednesday.

The Eagles made several promotions on offense. James Urban will become assistant offensive coordinator, a role that will give him a hand with multiple position groups, after coaching the team's quarterbacks for the last two years. The Titans later released a statement saying Munchak told defensive assistant Rayna Stewart and offensive assistant Richie Wessman they would not be retained. Senior executive vice president Steve Underwood said the team would honor Heimerdinger's contract, which extends through the 2011 season. Munchak has eight openings to fill.

Former teammate Bruce Matthews, now an assistant in Houston, is expected to be Munchak's top target to fill his old job with the offensive line. 3:., ASSOCIATED PRESS Giddy Packers fans poured into the frigid Lambeau Field parking lots in Green Bay early Tuesday to fire up their grills and throw down beers in a final tailgate to cap a magical season. At $5 each, the 50,000 tickets for Tuesday's "Return to Titletown" celebration at the stadium sold out in a matter of hours Monday NFL despite 3-degree temperatures and a wind chill that equated to minus-14. Schools let out early and businesses closed so that fans young and old could pack city sidewalks to cheer the team's returning motorcade. Tuesday's cold didn't bother Ken Hampp, 23, of Appleton, as he sipped a beer.

"The weather's fine. I can barely feel it," he said. "That's my favorite thing about winter. You can just stick your beer in the snow" Jurisprudence. The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled there is no legal reason to grant Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams permanent relief from their NFL suspensions for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

Barring another appeal, the ruling appears to clear the way for the NFL to suspend the players, which it has been trying to do since both tested positive for a banned diuretic in 2008. For sale. An animal-rights group, Dogs Deserve Better, of Tipton, is raising money to buy Michael Vick's former dogfighting compound in Surry County, and turn it into a rehabilitation center for chained and penned dogs. The group said it has until March 20 to raise nearly $600,000. DAVID EULITT Kansas City Star Pittsburgh's Brett Keisel said he would shave off his famous red beard now that the Steelers lost the Super Bowl.

This article contains information from the Associated Press. Shave that thing. Brett Keisel says it's time to move past "Fear the Beard." Much to the disappointment of the bushy growth's nearly 30,000 Facebook fans, it's time to "Shear the Beard." The defensive end had promised not to cut or trim the reddish-brown "mountain-man" beard as long as the Steelers kept winning. Super Bowl in the last 10 years. That occurred in 2008, when bettors gambled 892 million and casinos lost 82.87 million as the New York Giants upset New England, 17-14.

Contact staff writer Jonathan Tamari at 215-854-5214 or jtamariphillynews.com. Follow him on Twitter at wwwtwitter.comJonathanTamari. Seatiess fans get option. The 1IFT, has added a second option for the roughly 400 fans who had to give up their seats at the Super Bowl: They can choose to attend any future Super Bowl instead of being limited to the 2012 game. Noteworthy.

New Orleans coach Sean Payton said he would relocate his family to Dallas, and the Saints say the club has given the coach its blessing to do what he thinks is right for his wife and two children. Payton said he and his family have dreamed of settling in Dallas for some time. Tampa Bay hired three assistants, including former Vikings and Eagles defensive tackle Keith Millard. Millard and Grady Stretz will serve as co-defensive line coaches. Tyrone Pettaway was hired as defensive quality control coach.

Oakland promoted former player Greg Biekert from defensive assistant to linebackers coach. Biekert is best known for recovering the fumble by Tom Brady that was eventually overturned by replay in the "Tuck Game" against New England in the 2001 playoffs. Eagles' Coaching Carousel Vegas wins barely. Sports books in Nevada won just $724,000 from Super Bowl bets, despite heavy gambling on victorious Green Bay and lots of scoring. The Nevada Gaming Control Board said $87.5 million was wagered in 183 sports books across the state, and casinos kept less than 1 percent.

"I can't say I've got a cheese head in my office right now," said Jay Komegay, executive director of the race and sports book at the Las Vegas Hilton. Casinos have lost only once on the Titans fire Heimerdinger. New Titans head coach Mike Munchak fired offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger along with two other assistants, a day after taking over the top job. Heimerdinger, who is continuing cancer treatment since his diagnosis in November, confirmed he had been fired. Commentary By Bob Ford les on the defensive Rumor puts ag season? Results of Tuesday's Phi Ily.com sports poll: Whom would you rather have coach the Eagles next Out of 997 responses Andy Reid (327 votes) Jon Gruden (670 votes) Coach Andy Reid has completed (we think) the makeover of his staff that he started at the end of the Eagles' season.

Four of his 15 assistants are new, and seven have assumed new positions. Here is a look at how Reid's staff shapes up: Andy Reid, head coach: Entering his 13th season, he is the longest-tenured coach in the NFL. He also is still looking for his first Super Bowl victory. Marty Mornhinweg, assistant head coachoffensive coordinator: The former head coach of the Lions completed his seventh season in this position and helped quarterback Michael Vick earn the comeback-player-of-the year award. NEW JOB: Juan Castillo, defensive coordinator, replaced Sean McDermott: The longtime offensive line coach was a surprise pick to succeed the fired McDermott but is not likely to be outworked.

NEW FACE: Howard Mudd, offensive line, replaced Castillo: Signing the former star guard and longtime offensive line coach with the Colts and five other NFL teams gave Reid the opportunity to promote Castillo. NEW FACE: Jim Washburn, defensive line, replaced Rory Segrest: Well-respected, he coached the defensive line for the Titans the last 12 years. Bobby April, special-teams coordinator: This well-regarded coach just completed his first season with the Eagles. He likely is wondering whether David Akers will be his kicker next season. NEW JOB: James Urban, assistant offensive coordinator: This is a new position.

He was the quarterbacks coach the last two seasons. NEW JOB: David Culley, senior assistantwide receivers: The receivers coach since 1999, he got a promotion as an assistant to Mornhinweg for next season. Ted Williams, running backs: He is beginning his 15th season in this job. Tom Melvin, tight ends: He is entering his 10th season in this job. NEW JOB: Doug Pederson, quarterbacks, replaced Urban: Headed into his first season in this job, the former Eagles quarterback was the quality-control coach on offense the last two seasons.

NEW JOB: Mike Caldwell, linebackers, replaced Bill Shuey: The former Eagles linebacker was the assistant linebackers coach last season. NEW JOB: Michael Zordich, secondarysafeties, replaced Dick Jauron, who is the Browns' new defensive coordinator: He was the quality-control coach on defense in 2010 and an intern in 2009. NEW FACE: Johnnie Lynn, secondarycornerbacks, replaced Jauron: He was the secondary coach of the 49ers for the last five seasons and an assistant to head coach Mike Singletary for the last two. NEW FACE: Bobby April defensive quality control, replaced Zordich: He is a former special-teams college coach and the son of Bobby April. NEW JOB: Duce Staley, special-teams quality control, replaced Jeff Nixon, who left to be the Dolphins' running backs coach: An intern last season, the former Eagles back also will help out with the running backs.

him. We've got to create a In other words, we've got to construct a nice little fairy tale with a happy ending for everyone. It might have worked, too, just as the organization papered over Tom Heckert's lateral move to Cleveland, except that the story of McDermott's firing broke. And it wasn't even Eckel who got that one. Maybe Reid actually convinced himself McDermott could never succeed because he was following Jim Johnson, or maybe he was just selling that line to Rivera.

Maybe he mentioned that some players regarded the outgoing coordinator as a know-it-all who never made a mistake. Maybe he dismissed that as typical finger-pointing in the locker room. It's hard to tell what to believe because this just in Andy doesn't always tell the truth. So don't worry about it, Kyle. A little misdirection never hurt anyone, and it seems you're in good company.

If nothing else, you qualify to be at least assistant GM around here. EAGLES from Di though not much lesser. Cab drivers mention a fare they just had. Hotel clerks let slip who just checked in. An athlete's mother gets all bittersweet on her biog.

These things happen today. It was far-fetched, though. Most organizations wouldn't let a departing head coach rumble around for three weeks, not counting time in the Caribbean, and allow him to rearrange the coaching staff the way a Labrador retriever's tail rearranges the coffee table. If anything, Reid appeared to be more in charge than ever before, but it still was worth a phone call. Has Eckel ever gotten one of these wrong? The organization answered the phone until midmorning Monday peak billing hours! before issuing the following statement: "Early this morning we received several inquiries regarding the rumors regarding Andy Reid and Jon Gruden.

This was simply a rumor and there is no basis to it at all. It is simply not true." There you had it, and if there is one organization that should be expert on what is not true, it is the Eagles. Reid, particularly, specializes in not true. He revels in it. He uses it the way Yo-Yo Ma uses a cello.

So, in a way, it was poetic, leaving aside justice, that the Eagles had to deal with someone else lying for a change. (Eckel later clarified things by saying he wasn't lying, he merely was passing along something about which he had no knowledge. "Your guess is as good as mine," he added, cheerfully.) From the moment the season ended 27 yards from a game-winning touchdown against the Packers the Eagles went into their standard lockdown mode in which your guess really was as good as anyone's concerning the team's true intentions. The most illuminative example is Reid's handling of the firing of defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. Reid, who would rather say, "I think January is a great month for a vacation," than utter the words, "I fired Sean McDermott," lied throughout the process.

He likes to refer to it as "buying time," but the purchase is financed by the good will of the fans. We're all grown-ups here. Coaches and administrators aren't going to comment on certain things. That's expected. Those who support the team and fill the stadium and pay the salaries can accept a no-comment.

They deserve better than a look-inyour-eye lie. As he was sticking by the tale that McDermott would return, Reid also was contacting new Carolina head coach Ron Rivera, according to reporting by The Inquirer's Jeff McLane. Reid wanted it to appear as if McDermott simply had decided to switch coordinator jobs, taking a lateral move for some unknown reason. "Andy wanted it to be seamless, and unfortunately it wasn't," Rivera said. "Andy's whole guise in my discussion with him was, 'We've got to make people understand that it was not as much because Sean did a bad job or anything.

It was just as much always going to be tough and unfair for Contact columnist Bob Ford at 215-854-5842 or bfordphillynews.com and read his blog at http:www.philly.comphillyiblogs bob jordspostpatterns Gaty Miles.