Todd Bowles evolved as a defensive coach through a group of old football  heads.

Todd Bowles expressing himself.

Away from the dais Tuesday, interim Eagles defensive coordinator Bowles said Bill Parcells, Richie Petitbon, Emmitt Thomas and Mike Nolan all influenced him. Petitbon and Thomas grilled him in the fundamentals.

"Emmitt was a technician," Bowles said. "He was fundamentally sound. Richie Petitbon was the Xs and Os coach. Emmitt was always, 'you've got to have your foot here. You've got to look at that. You've got to see that.' Between him and Richie they taught me scheme and fundamentals. And they harped on it every day. He was a bright coach. He tried to make people beat you left-handed."

You hear it in hoops; make the opponent use their left hand. If Bowles has a knack for doing so in football, the Eagles' defense could be fun to watch.

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