Eagles Add Former Cowboys Defensive Coordinator to Staff

Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart has joined the Eagles coaching staff, according to various reports. Stewart spent the last two seasons in Dallas before he was fired following the 2008 season. with one year remaining on his contract.

Stewart did not return a call seeking comment.

In Dallas, Stewart had his play-calling duties taken away from him at midseason and fell out of favor with coach Wade Phillips, whom he considered a close friend. Several players were split about how they felt about Stewart.

The Eagles made this move because of the uncertainty of current defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Johnson has taken a leave of absence while he undergoes treatment for a cancerous tumor on his spine.

Johnson coached from the press box during the Eagles' NFC divisional and championship games because he was suffering from back pain -- in 2001, Johnson was treated for melanoma. After the loss in the NFC title game to Arizona, the Eagles announced that cancer had returned.

In his absence, secondary coach Sean McDermott will take over.

Stewart, meanwhile, can coach the secondary, which is what he did in previous coaching stops including San Diego. Adding Stewart to the staff gives the Eagles a man who has scouted most of NFC East, and knows the Cowboys personnel extensively.

However, Stewart showed his inexperience during his two seasons in Dallas. He rubbed players the wrong way by yelling at them and not showing a complete knowledge of the defense. Yet, in time, players began to trust him and went to him with concerns over the defense, even before going to Phillips.

In Philadelphia, in a reduced role, Stewart will help McDermott work on the game plan.