AS COORDINATOR, Billy Davis coached the defense.
As a pedigreed inside linebacker, DeMeco Ryans led it.
Their performances this season probably ensured they will be coaching and playing elsewhere in 2016. Some of that is their fault. Some is not.
They could not control circumstance, and they could not control Chip Kelly.
And, so, here is a final, likely futile, defense of Davis and his indefensible defense.
Just before his final postgame confession, after the Eagles' playoff chances vanished in a loss to Washington, Davis stood apart from a gaggle of interviewers and muttered, "I hate this bleep.