National Football League

Reid takes blame for ailing defense

Published Oct. 9, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid stood by embattled defensive coordinator Juan Castillo Monday, one day after his much-hyped squad fell to 1-4 with a 31-24 loss at Buffalo.

As the Eagles have sputtered in the last three weeks, much of the fans' ire has been directed at the first-year defensive coordinator.

But Reid has not wavered in his support for Castillo, who was a curious selection for the post after serving as the team's offensive line coach for more than a decade.

Castillo had not coached defense since a stint in the late 80s as a Texas high school assistant and had never served as an NFL coordinator.

Reid said he saw improvement in the second half Sunday, when his team rallied from a 28-7 deficit, and said that the blame for his team's lackluster play should fall on his shoulders.

"It's my football team. I've got to get it right and we'll do this thing as a football team," Reid said, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Under Castillo and new defensive line coach Jim Washburn, the Eagles have given up 26.4 points per game, and have fallen to 30th in the league against the run.

The Eagles, the consensus preseason pick to win the NFC East, will look to right the ship Sunday at division-leading Washington.

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