Change on the Horizon? Philadelphia Eagles Showing Interest in Packers Safety Coach Darren Perry

Turns out the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t just smart, they are highly intelligent – at least for the time being.

After reeling in the disappointment of an early Wild Card round exit three weeks ago at the hands of Green Bay, head coach Andy Reid hasn’t taken his foot off the gas pedal just because the offseason has begun.

On Saturday, the Journal Sentinel reported that the Eagles are in pursuit of Green Bay Packer safety coach, Darren Perry, to fill Philadelphia’s open defensive coordinator position following the teams 21-16 defeat at home.

All of this comes on the back end of a performance at Lincoln Financial Field, which portrayed the distinct weaknesses in the Philadelphia secondary.

The concern that sits with the Eagles right now is the recent firing of former defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.  Cornerback Asante Samuel recorded just one tackle on the day, whilst the rest of the Eagles defense allowed Aaron Rodgers to throw three touchdown passes on the day.

That isn’t including rookie running back James Starks’ efforts either.

But who is Darren Perry, and what does his resume consist of?

As far as experience goes with the Packers, Perry is very limited.  Green Bay appointed Perry the defensive backs coach in 2009, following a twelve month stay with the Oakland Raiders in the year prior.

Don’t let that fool you, though.

The interest in Perry from an Eagles standpoint isn’t hard to decipher.  As a player, Perry played the safety position famously for the Pittsburgh Steelers, before changing pace and heading to the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints.

Statistically speaking, Perry also knows how to record an interception or two.  With 35 career picks to his name, many have chosen to credit the rise of Packer cornerback Tramon Williams to Perry’s efforts over the past 12 months.

Hence why the Eagles are seriously interested.

Green Bay placed Perry under contract after his signing in 2009, a deal which is valid through 2011.  That hasn’t stopped Philadelphia from requesting an interview with Perry following the Packers trip to Dallas to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.

More is likely to come of this story, for now, the Packers must refrain from becoming distracted.  The Packers wound up with the fifth rank defense in the NFL as the regular season concluded, and with the Steelers approaching, expect Perry to be zeroing in on next Sunday.

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Ryan Cook is an Australian author for Acme Packing Company, and a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also a guest writer on PackerChatters, and a contributing writer to Detroit Lions Talk, Gack Sports and Sports Haze.