As most of you might know, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, the architect of the team's excellent defense, is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer now. He has been given a leave of absence while he recovers. There's a chance he could miss the season. In the interim, the team has named talented secondary coach Sean McDermott as his replacement and signed Brian Stewart (the Cowboys' coordinator last season) as the new secondary coach.

Andy Reid spoke today about Johnson and McDermott:

On whether he has an update on defensive coordinator Jim Johnson:
“There’s not much change from the last time I mentioned it. Some days are good days. Some days are not very good days. He is receiving chemotherapy, and pretty intense chemotherapy. There are just some days that that stuff gets you, and then there are other days that he feels pretty good. I have a chance to talk to him about every day, and he’s a battler.”

On whether he is confident in McDermott if he has to step in as defensive coordinator:
“Yeah. Absolutely. He had a great teacher. He had the best in the business teaching him.”

On whether the time between now and training camp will be different for McDermott this year:
“Yeah. We have a couple of new staff members there. He’ll continue to talk with them and meet with them. He won’t be in here every day and cranking away, but he’ll make sure that he has that all tied down by the time we get to Lehigh.” 

As I wrote the other day I don't think you can overlook Johnson's absence, even though McDermott by all regards is noted as a sharp, young coach with head-coaching potential.

Let's hear your thoughts. Are you concerned with Johnson perhaps being gone, Eagles fans?