Derek Barnett works out with a familiar face to Philadelphia Eagles fans
It appears “Coach Wash” is working with one of the Philadelphia Eagles ends.
“I feel like the Eagles, without a shadow of a doubt, will have the best production that they’ve had in a while.” Those were the words of former Philadelphia Eagles defensive line coach Jim Washburn, who recently spoke to NJ Advance Media following a recent workout he oversaw with a certain young defensive star, fourth-year man Derek Barnett.
If Washburn’s name sounds familiar, it should. His fingerprints are all over the Eagles’ and Jim Schwartz’s current defensive scheme, at least along the defensive line anyway. From 1999 to 2008, these two spent a ton of time together with the Tennessee Titans. Coach Schwartz got his shot as a defensive assistant in 1999 before being promoted to linebackers coach in 2000 and, eventually, to the defensive coordinator position in 2001.
“Coach Wash” spent 12 seasons with Tennessee as their defensive line coach. In 2009, Schwartz took over as the headman of the Detroit Lions while Washburn assumed defensive line coaching duties with the “Birds”. With him, he brought the “Wide-nine scheme”, an idea Philly still employs today, and Jason Babin who had just earned Pro Bowl honors in 2010.
Don’t let Washburn’s two-year run with the Philadelphia Eagles fool you.
Washburn’s tenure with Philly isn’t one that’s often showered with compliments. During his two year-run and despite the addition of anther high-profile defensive lineman, Cullen Jenkins, Babin would be the only Pro Bowler Washburn’s defensive line would produce from 2011 to 2012. Mostly, he’s remembered for those defensive lines getting carved up in the running game and being part of that “Dream Team” debacle.
Don’t fret though. “Wash” still has a wealth of knowledge to borrow from, over 40 years of coaching experience to be exact. His son Jeremiah, who joined the team as an advanced projects coordinator over a year ago, was promoted to the roles of director of player personnel and senior defensive assistant.
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Barnett has a lot of guys that he can learn from, but after missing 13 games in his first three seasons due to shoulder and ankle injuries, 6.5 sacks in 2019 has fans hoping that the breakout season they’ve hope for finally materializes in 2020. By the looks of things, he’s off to a good start.