Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon expects 'hostile environment' in Philadelphia
Back in Week 9 of the season, Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon returned to his hometown of Cleveland to lead his team against the Browns.
This week, Gannon heads back to Philadelphia, the city he called home for two seasons as defensive coordinator of the Eagles, and the place where he has found his greatest success as an NFL coach, guiding the Eagles' defense on the team's way to Super Bowl 57 last season.
As Gannon did with the return to Cleveland, he downplayed going back to the City of Brotherly Love. He said he looks forward to seeing Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and executive vice president/general manager Howie Roseman.
"The next game on the schedule. A really good football team. It’ll be good to see Nick and the coaches over there and Howie, but just like any other week," Gannon said. "When the whistle blows, it’s compete, compete, compete.”
Sirianni remains a friend and confidant. Gannon said he's communicated with him throughout the season.
"He’s always a resource for me. Obviously, we’re extremely tight, but yeah, it’ll be the Eagles versus the Cardinals," Gannon said.
Gannon said he hasn't paid much attention to how the Eagles have played this season, though as of Christmas Day he was aware that they are 11-4 and battling for the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed.
"A really good football team on all three phases. A lot of premium players, a lot of good players over there, well coached and they play hard. It’s going to be a big-time challenge," Gannon said.
Gannon took some heat from Eagles fans in the wake of the team's 38-35 Super Bowl loss to Kansas City at State Farm Stadium. After the Eagles finished second in the NFL in total defense (yards allowed per game), first in pass defense and registering 70 sacks, Kansas City scored 17 fourth-quarter points against Gannon's unit and rallied to win.
"You guys know I put everything into what I'm doing that day. So ... there's a time for reflection, which is not now," Gannon said, asked if he reflected on reaching the Super Bowl after his many years as an assistant coach.
Then it was revealed that Gannon and new Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort had impermissibly spoken before the Super Bowl about the Cardinals' then-vacant head coach position. Both Ossenfort and Gannon owned up to what happened, and the Cardinals and Eagles reached a pre-draft agreement to exchange picks and allow Philadelphia to move up.
Gannon was asked if he's thought about how Eagles fans will react to seeing him again at Lincoln Financial Field. He said he's not concerned about it.
"Gannon's my boy, man. I miss him," Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat told ESPN. "A lot of energy and a great coach."
Gannon said Wednesday that his two years in Philadelphia were great for his family, and that he has love and respect for his former team.
"That's a great place to play. It's a hostile environment. They were on our side for two years when I was there, but our guys know, we've played in some hostile environments, that's gonna be one of them," Gannon said. "So we gotta do a good job of handling the elements and the noise and those things and operate at a high level."
In Philadelphia, Matt Patricia is now calling the defense after first-year defensive coordinator Sean Desai was stripped of play-calling duties prior to the Eagles' loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15. The Eagles ended a three-game losing streak with a win over the New York Giants on Christmas Day.
"I know they kind of changed coordinators here in the last three games. Coach Patricia took over so he's implemented some different things, but I know this when I turn on the tape. They've got really good players," Gannon said. "They play really hard. And they get after the quarterback pretty good. And they've got coverage players, they play good against the run. It's a good defense."
Rallis making return, too
Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis is also returning to Philadelphia, where he was linebackers coach the previous two seasons on Gannon's defensive staff.
Rallis said he had a phenomenal couple of years in Philadelphia and learned a lot of football.
"I think it's gonna be fun to go up against a lot of really good coaches, great organization, some phenomenal players, you know, players and coaches that really helped me get to where I am in my career," Rallis said. "So that part of it, I think I have an appreciation for. I've got a lot of respect for the other side, but I think once the kickoff happens, to me it's focused on what we have to do to win the game or how do I have to call it or how do we have to make adjustments, so on and so forth."
Murray misses practice
Gannon said quarterback Kyler Murray missed Wednesday's practice due to a "holiday bug," as Gannon labeled Murray's illness. There is no concern that Murray will miss the Philadelphia game.
On the release of Marco Wilson
Gannon was asked about the team's decision to release cornerback Marco Wilson, who started 37 of the 43 games he played with the Cardinals over three seasons before being benched a few weeks ago.
"Feel good about the guys in the room. Respect Marco. He handled himself like a pro, but feel good about moving forward," Gannon said.
Gannon was asked why the decision on Wilson came Tuesday instead of after the season.
"There's so many spots, you know what I mean? So to get some guys up and playing, and the roster construction of all of that, just felt like it was best for the team for this week moving forward."
Related: Cardinals designate Leki Fotu to return from IR, add more help at DL and LB spots
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How will Philadelphia Eagles fans react to return of ex-defensive coordinator?
