On this day last July, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson passed away.
Johnson resided in Newtown Square during his 11-year tour with the Eagles.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid received word the night before Johnson passed that there was time for one last visit. Reid exited training camp and paid his respects to Johnson, 68, and his family.
The Eagles' defense hasn't been the same despite the best efforts of Sean McDermott, who filled in admirably.
This year McDermott has a full year of experience under his belt. And in Dick Jauron, McDermott has at the least a Jim Johnson-type influence.
Jauron, 59, is a veteran of 33 NFL seasons - eight as a player and 23 as a coach. He's also a confidante of Reid, having mentored Big Red in his early days as a coach with the Green Bay Packers.
Jauron's influence obviously is a sub-plot at training camp.