Tag: Vic Fangio

Eagles open the practice window for Britain Covey ahead of game vs. Rams

Philadelphia Eagles open the practice window for Britain Covey ahead of game vs. Los Angeles Rams in Week 12

Vic Fangio is not a fan of Cooper DeJean returning punts, and he could get his wish for the star cornerback to be removed after Britain Covey returned to practice on Wednesday.

Covey had his practice window opened nine weeks after suffering a broken shoulder in the win over New Orleans.

Last season, Covey led the NFL with 417 punt return yards and was the only player with multiple punt returns of 50+ yards. Since 2022, Covey has the league’s second-most punt return yards (734).

DeJean handled punt return duties in Covey’s absence, averaging 11.8 yards per return.

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Eagles Law firm of Baun and Dean has been significant in 4 game winning streak

Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean have been standouts for Eagles defense during the four game winning streak

The Eagles are 6-2 and on a four-game winning streak, and a significant factor in the improvement of a much-maligned defensive unit starts with the law firm at linebacker. During the NFL off-season, the Devin White signing was supposed to transform Philadelphia’s defense. At the same time, Zack Baun was labeled a low-budget signing that could translate into the former Saints pass rusher having a hybrid and versatile role for Vic Fangio’s unit.

Fast forward to Week 10, and White spent the first month of the season as a healthy scratch before getting released and signing with the Texans. Baun hit the ground running and has been a high-value signing that could become a long-term extension. Nakobe Dean started the season off slow after rehabbing from a foot injury. After a few weeks of terrible tackling, he’s looked like the player Philadelphia and other teams coveted coming out of the University of Georgia.

This season, Baun is ranked first among NFL linebackers in Defensive stops (37), and he’s second in passer rating allowed (73.3).

Since Week 6, Baun has posted 36 tackles (23 solo) with one tackle for loss, one interception, and one forced fumble. During that same stretch, Nakobe Dean has combined for 34 tackles (20 solo), three tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovered. In Week 9 vs. Jacksonville, Baun and Dean became the first Eagles linebacker duo to each record an interception in the same game since Carlos Emmons and Jeremiah Trotter in the “Pickle Juice Game” during the 2000 season at Dallas.

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WATCH: Brian Dawkins calls this the season of growing pains for Eagles

Hall of Fame defensive back Brian Dawkins talked about the Philadelphia Eagles slow start this season and called it growing pains

The Eagles are 5-2 and playing like one of the best teams in the NFL, but four weeks ago, there were discussions about the quarterback not being good enough to win without weapons and calls for the head coach to be fired.

Since then, Philadelphia has won three straight games, Vic Fangio’s defensive unit is growing up and making plays, and Sirianni has coached himself off the hot seat.

During a recent interview with The Eagles Wire, Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins discussed the Birds’ early-season adversity, labeling it the “season of growing pains.”

“There’s going to be more growing pains than not.” “I love the fact that they struggled early on this season, because when you begin to struggle, you really begin to learn who we truly are.” “There’s a whole lot of publicity.” “When you get into that film room though, the film shows you exactly who you are.”

A team with several flaws one month ago is now one of the most completely efficient and explosive teams in the NFL.

Entering Week 9, Philadelphia is one of only two NFL franchises that rank among the top 10 in the league in both total offense (8th, 367.1 ypg) and total defense (7th, 300.9 ypg), joining Houston.

The Eagles lead the NFL with 11 plays of 40+ yards this season, recording plays of 40+ yards in six of seven games.

Defensively, Philadelphia has allowed the third-fewest 40+ yard plays (3). Below, you can see Dawkins’ comments about growing pains, mental health, and more.

Vic Fangio provides some clarity to narrative Nick Sirianni is calling defensive plays

Vic Fangio says Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni did not call Eagles defensive plays in Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns

Nick Sirianni is taking a lot of heat despite the Eagles being 3-2. One of the most significant talking points was his admission that he called a defensive play late in the win over the Browns when asked by ESPN’s Tim McManus.

 “I think it’s very common in the NFL when the head coach gets on and says, ‘Attack; concede; come on, let’s get after these guys.’ I think that is where that comes from. Then there are personal philosophies that I have of how to play certain situations that you talk through.”

“So it wouldn’t be fair for me to have the philosophies that I have, and push that on my coaches, and then not take accountability for it when the play doesn’t work.”

“So, yeah, that’s kind of how it goes. I think that’s pretty common throughout the NFL.”

On Tuesday, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio brought clarity to that statement, explaining that Sirianni didn’t call the defensive play, but brought attention to Fangio about what he wanted the defense to focus on.

In 56 regular season games with the Eagles, Sirianni is 37-19 (.661), and 2-3 in the playoffs (.400) including the Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.

Best photos from Eagles15-13 win over the Saints in Week 3

We’re looking at the best photos from the Philadelphia Eagles 15-13 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3

Saquon Barkley logged 17 carries for 147 yards (8.6 avg) and one touchdown, and the Eagles defense held the Saints to 219 total yards on 55 offensive plays, as Philadelphia moved to 2-1 on the season without several key starters.

Philadelphia will head to Tampa Bay in Week Four for an intriguing matchup against the 2-1 Buccaneers before the Week 5 bye. With the game now final, here are the top photos from the win.

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Saquon Barkley, Eagles defense carry Philadelphia to 15-12 win over undefeated Saints

Saquon Barkley and the Eagles defense leads Philadelphia to 15-12 win over undefeated New Orleans Saints

Saquon Barkley logged 17 carries for 147 yards (8.6 avg) and one touchdown, and the Eagles defense held the Saints to 219 total yards on 55 offensive plays, as Philadelphia moved to 2-1 on the season without several key starters.

A.J. Brown was already ruled out, but Philadelphia lost Lane Johnson (concussion), DeVonta Smith (concussion), Mekhi Becton, and Britain Covey, but still managed to hold on for a much-needed win amid four quarters of adversity.

Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert made a list of players who needed to step up, and he responded with ten catches for 170 yards and one touchdown.

Philadelphia will head to Tampa Bay in Week Four for an intriguing matchup against the 2-1 Buccaneers before the Week 5 bye.

Eagles LB Devin White on slowing down Alvin Kamara: ‘It ain’t easy’

Devin White played the Saints twice a year with the Buccaneers, so he knows well what Alvin Kamara can do. The Eagles could use his insight:

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, should be picking Devin White’s brain on how to stop New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara this Sunday. White has played the Saints twice a year for his entire career as a member of the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He left for Philadelphia in free agency this year but has yet to make his debut.

The addition of Klint Kubiak changes the scouting report for Kamara, but White should still be consulted. He has plenty of experience.

Tampa Bay did a good job slowing down Kamara for much of his tenure. White spoke about this on social media Saturday morning. He made it clear slowing down Kamara is hard and gave credit to Todd Bowles, who was the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach.

White could give Fangio insight on some of the things Bowles did that were effective. Defending Kamara has always been a tough order given his versatility as a runner and receiver, and Klint Kubiak is putting his skills to good use. Kamara goes into Week 3 as the NFL leader in yards from scrimmage through the first two weeks of action.

But it’s unclear if White will be a part of implementing Fangio’s strategy. He missed Week 1 with an ankle injury before being a healthy scratch last week. His familiarity with the Saints, and Bijan Robinson’s effectiveness against the Eagles’ defense last Monday night, could lead to a change at linebacker. It would be a change that could result in White getting his first snaps of the year.

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WATCH: Devin White has a strong response to Vic Fangio naming Nakobe Dean the starter

WATCH: Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Devin White offers a strong response to Vic Fangio naming Nakobe Dean starter

Nakobe Dean spent the off-season and summer saying all the right things about his recovery from a foot injury that ended his 2023 season prematurely. For most of the training camp, the idea was that Dean might lose his job to Devin White.

White exited Tampa Bay for Philadelphia with the hope of retooling his career while becoming the missing piece that gets this Eagles team over the Super Bowl hump.  During the summer, it looked like White had shown he was the best linebacker on the roster while assuming a leadership role, resulting in the former Buccaneers star becoming a defensive general.

White, a 2024 free agent signing, talked about being a team leader and upgrading Philadelphia’s linebacker position.

White missed the season opener with a foot injury, and his status for Week 2 is uncertain. However, after Vic Fangio clarified that Dean is his starter, it won’t matter.

A visibly frustrated White addressed Fangio’s comments and more before the Eagles’ Thursday practice.

Dean and Fangio’s favorite Zack Baun held down the fort on defense, with the former Saints linebacker logging 15 tackles, two sacks, one tackle for loss, and 2 QB hits. Dean was solid, logging four tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended.

They’ll need to be even more dynamic in Week 2, with Falcons star running back Bijan Robinson heading to Philadelphia.

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Eagles DC Vic Fangio makes it clear who the starter is at middle linebacker

Vic Fangio says Nakobe Dean is Eagles starting middle linebacker

Nakobe Dean spent the off-season and summer saying all the right things about his recovery from a foot injury that ended his 2023 season prematurely. For most of the training camp, the idea was that Dean might lose his job to Devin White.

White, a 2024 free agent signing, talked about being a team leader and upgrading Philadelphia’s linebacker position. White missed the season opener with a foot injury, and his status for Week 2 is uncertain. It won’t matter, but Vic Fangio clarified that Dean is his starter.

https://Twitter.com/Jeff_McLane/status/1833896311168577703

Dean and Fangio’s favorite Zack Baun held down the fort on defense, with the former Saints linebacker logging 15 tackles, two sacks, one tackle for loss, and 2 QB hits. Dean was solid, logging four tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended.

They’ll need to be even more dynamic in Week 2, with Falcons star running back Bijan Robinson heading to Philadelphia.

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Eagles DC Vic Fangio was brutally honest when discussing Bryce Huff’s limited role in Week 1

Vic Fangio said in order for Bryce Huff to play more, he’s going to have to separate himself from the other edge rushers

The Eagles signed Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million deal in free agency, hoping to transform the former Jets pass rusher into a younger, more explosive version of Haason Reddick.

Huff was a nonfactor in game one, playing fewer snaps than Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Nolan Smith. During his Wednesday press conference, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio again offered some tough love and made it clear that Huff would see more significant snaps until he started to separate himself.

https://Twitter.com/ZBerm/status/1833898098814235097

Huff has increased his sack production in seasons, jumping from 3.5 sacks in 2022 to 10.0 this past season.

Still, Huff has been known as more of a situational pass rusher than a true defensive end or SAM linebacker. Last season, he played in just 42 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps, as he was used solely in pass-rushing situations.

It’s only one game, and this situation and his ability to mesh with Fangio will be something to watch.

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