Cullen Jenkins Says Asomugha's Comments Were 'Unfortunate'

By Spike Eskin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – After the Eagles loss to Detroit on Sunday, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha questioned his teams change in second half defensive scheme. Two days later, the defensive coordinator, Juan Castillo, was fired by the team.

"That's some unfortunate comments by Nnamdi there," Eagles defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins told 94WIP's Michael Barkann and Ike Reese just an hour after the news of Castillo's firing became public.  "I'm hoping he would like to have those back because you never want to put anybody out there on the spot in the media like that, or make him look bad. You would rather go approach him and talk to him like a man, if you have an issue with some of things they're doing. That's just an unfortunate situation there."

After Asomugha's statements, and then Castillo's firing, the question of whether the team was behind Castillo.

"I can't speak for everybody. I guess most people that I can speak for is the defensive line, which is the group I'm around all the time, and I thought we were all on board [with Castillo]," Jenkins said.  "The biggest issue with the d-line, and coach Washburn always stays on us, was just to look at ourselves and look at what we needed to do better as a group. I'm hoping that was the feeling throughout the whole team, that everybody is looking at themselves and looking at what they need to do better. Everybody can try to put it on the coach, or say the coach isn't doing this or that, but the coach isn't on the field missing assignments. The coach isn't on the field missing tackles, not making the plays. It all comes down to the players and it comes down to the fact that we all need to step up."

In his press conference on Tuesday, Andy Reid said he is not looking for an adjustment period with new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Jenkins didn't sound so sure that's possible.

"In this game we're separated so much between the defensive line, the linebackers, and the secondary. We only come together on the practice field, or in the defensive meeting room for a little bit," Jenkins said. "So as a front, we really haven't gotten the chance to get to know him, as much as some of the other positions. It's going to be a little new for us, as well, trying to get to know him and get to know more of the things he is about and what he likes to do."