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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Ex-Saints linebacker Zack Baun had a big-time debut with the Eagles

Ex-Saints linebacker Zack Baun had a big-time debut with the Eagles. He totaled 15 tackles and had two sacks, tying his career total:

Credit where it’s due: Zack Baun delivered in a big spot for his new Philadelphia Eagles team. The Eagles left Brazil with a win over the Green Bay Packers on Friday night, and Baun’s efforts were a big part of their success. The former New Orleans Saints linebacker ended the night with 15 combined tackles, two quarterback hits, and two sacks — including a game-winner off of Malik Willis, who had replaced the injured Jordan Love.

And it’s not like Baun was cleaning up tackles 8 or 9 yards downfield. According to the official NFL Gamebook, Baun averaged 3.0 yards per tackle on his 15 stops. Just two of those tackles ended after the Packers offense gained 8 or more yards. He had five stops at or behind the line of scrimmage and three more within two yards of it.

He just needed this opportunity, which he wasn’t given in New Orleans. The Saints already had Demario Davis locked in at one linebacker spot but they chose to draft Pete Werner a year after they traded up for Baun. As highly regarded Dennis Allen and linebackers coach Michael Hodges are, they couldn’t figure out how to get Baun on the field for most of the four years he spent in New Orleans. A fifth of his 660 career defensive snaps with the Saints (142) came in the final six games he played in a Saints uniform. He played almost twice as many snaps on special teams (1,293).

What’s even more frustrating is that Baun wasn’t used much different in Vic Fangio’s Eagles defense than what he saw in Allen’s system. Per Pro Football Focus charting, he lined up on the line of scrimmage as a pass-rushing outside linebacker just 12 times. Just like he did with the Saints, Baun spent the majority of his 67 defensive snaps off the ball as an inside linebacker (47 times). He covered the slot seven times and was once asked to cover a receiver out wide.

Still, the fact that Baun had as many sacks in his first game with the Eagles as he did in 64 appearances with the Saints (including two playoff games) is embarrassing. It highlights a common criticism of the team extending even beyond Allen’s tenure. The Saints have struggled to draft, develop, and retain their own talent over the years, and Baun is another great example of it just like Trey Hendrickson, Marcus Williams, Alex Anzalone, and Kaden Elliss, among other players.

Too many draft-day gambles and picks spent chasing upside have come back to haunt them. When Baun signed with the Eagles this spring, it left Cesar Ruiz as the only member of the team’s 2020 draft class still on the roster. Ruiz and Erik McCoy are the only draft picks remaining from the 2019 and 2018 draft classes, too. Of the six-man 2021 class, Pete Werner is the only member to have signed a new deal; it feels unlike Payton Turner returns next year, and Paulson Adebo may be get priced out on the free agent market.

So there’s a good chance Baun isn’t the last player drafted by the Saints to go on and find more success somewhere else. But Saints fans will get a good look at him in just a few weeks when Baun and the Eagles visit the Caesars Superdome on Sept. 22.

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Eagles DC Vic Fangio hints at Quinyon Mitchell playing every snap vs. Packers in Week 1

Eagles DC Vic Fangio hints at Quinyon Mitchell playing every snap vs. Packers in Week 1

It’s game week, and after a summer filled with plenty of reps and learning on the run, Quinyon Mitchell is ready to debut against one of the most explosive passing games in the NFL.

During his weekly press conference, the Eagles defensive coordinator was asked about his team’s first-round pick and gave some insight into where Mitchell is four days before kickoff. Asked about Mitchell’s readiness, Fangio stated that the cornerback has been doing well at nickel but is not yet “where he needs to be.”

Even with that statement, Mitchell is expected to play every snap on Friday, whether it be at outside cornerback or the nickel cornerback spot.

https://Twitter.com/BrandonGowton/status/1830667306730500247

Mitchell became the first Toledo player to be selected in the 1st round of the NFL Draft since Dan Williams in 1993 (11th overall by Denver).

Mitchell spent four seasons at Toledo, playing 46 games (40 starts). Mitchell racked up some impressive numbers at cornerback: 6 Interceptions, 2 Interceptions returned for touchdowns, 122 tackles, 46 Passes defended, and 6.5 Tackles for loss. Mitchell led the FBS with 25 passes defended in 2022 and ended his career with the most passes defended in program history.

He’ll now be a Week 1 starter for Philadelphia.

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3 big questions for the Eagles ahead of season opener vs. Packers

3 big questions for the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of season opener vs. Green Bay Packers

The summer is officially over, training camp and preseason are a wrap, and the Eagles will depart Philadelphia four days from now for a 9+ hour flight to São Paulo, Brazil, for an intriguing season-opening matchup against Jordan Love and the talented Green Bay Packers.

Philadelphia has retooled its roster, changed both coordinator positions, and has one of the younger teams in the NFL entering the 2024 regular season. There are always questions to be answered, and with the regular season upon us, we’re looking at the three biggest questions for the Eagles ahead of the matchup against the Packers.

Can the young guys hit the ground running?

Cooper DeJean (21), Jeremiah Trotter (21), and Jalen Carter (23) are among the 12 players on the roster who are age 23 or younger, and all twelve play integral roles for a team with a legit Super Bowl window. The Eagles are a potential juggernaut, but an injury at a critical position on offense, or Darius Slay suffering an injury on defense, could expose a youth-filled group that could still not be ready for primetime. With Jason Kelce becoming a media giant and Fletcher Cox enjoying retirement, Philadelphia must have leadership voids filled from Day 1.

Can Jalen Hurts regain his All-Pro form?

Hurts was named to his second Pro Bowl last after starting 17 regular-season games. He completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 3,858 yards and a career-high 23 touchdowns. He also added 15 rushing touchdowns, setting a new NFL record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season, matching Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. With Kellen Moore emphasizing Hurts become more efficient with check-downs to the running backs, his completion percentage could rise to over 70% in 2024. There were difficult moments in 2023, though, as Hurts’ QBR ranking fell from fourth (68.3) to 12th (60.1). His 15 interceptions nearly matched his first three years combined (18). After cleaning his game and meshing with Kellen Moore, Can Hurts regain his All-Pro form.

Will Vic Fangio’s defense respond to the pressure?

The offense can be explosive and set all kinds of records, but it won’t matter if the Eagles rebuilt defense doesn’t tackle better, make plays in coverage, and pressure and sack the quarterback. Philadelphia spent three years running some variation of Fangio’s scheme before hiring the architect. The Eagles are a young cornerback but much improved, while C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s return has brought swagger and confidence back to the unit. After a total collapse in 2023, can the Eagles’ defense regain that 2022 form?

Vic Fangio says Eagles may play Quinyon Mitchell at Nickel CB to get best players on field

Philadelphia defensive coordinator Vic Fangio says Eagles may play Quinyon Mitchell at Nickel CB to get best players on field

Quinyon Mitchell was the 22nd pick in April’s NFL draft, and although he likely won’t be a Day 1 starter on the outside at cornerback, the former Toledo star will be a starter somewhere against the Packers in Brazil.

Anytime Darius Slay is not in the lineup, Mitchell plays outside cornerback in base formations opposite Isaiah Rodgers and moves to the slot in nickel packages.

Through three weeks of training camp, Mitchell’s time with the first-team defense has primarily been in the slot, and it’s most likely the place from which he’ll debut in September. On Sunday, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio provided insight into how the Eagles will deploy Mitchell.

Slay and Rodgers have taken the majority of first-team reps at outside cornerback this summer, while 2023 fourth-round pick Kelee Ringo has been battling for snaps and a role in the rotation.

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Eagles to play starters for one series in preseason opener vs. Ravens

Philadelphia Eagles to play their offensive and defensive starters for one series in preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens

Under Nick Sirianni, during his first three years in Philadelphia, the Eagles had one of the lightest practice schedules and regularly sat their starters during the preseason. That will change after last season’s collapse, which saw the Birds lose six of their final seven.

The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reports that Philadelphia will play their starters for at least one series on Friday night.

Upon getting hired, the new Eagles defensive coordinator highlighted the team’s lack of practice sessions and physicality, hinting at changes coming on his side of the football.

Philadelphia was physically manhandled in late-season losses to the 49ers and Cowboys before being dominated by the Buccaneers during the NFC wild-card loss.

Players have noted a change in physicality and toughness during the first two weeks, and game action in the preseason opener is another example of the change.

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Vic Fangio has an interesting response when asked if Bryce Huff can play every down

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio says Bryce Huff isn’t ready to be an every down defensive end

Philadelphia signed defensive end Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million contract this offseason, hoping he would be a younger and more explosive version of Haason Reddick, whom they traded to the New York Jets.

At 25 years old, Huff has increased his sack production in seasons, jumping from 3.5 sacks in 2022 to 10.0 this past season. Now the question is whether Huff can transition into the role of being a consistent, three-down defensive end for the Eagles.

Vic Fangio was tasked with answering that question on Thursday. As of today, Huff isn’t ready for that role, but Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator believes he can be.

More of a situational pass rusher than a true defensive end or SAM linebacker, Huff played in just 42 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps, as he was used solely in pass-rushing situations. He still logged ten sacks, and one season after Philadelphia brass was left highly disappointed with the pass rush’s production, Howie Roseman signed a natural.

Fangio won’t be dropping Huff into coverage on 50% of the downs, and his arrival should spur an uptick in sacks and pressures. In 2023, Huff recorded 68 quarterback pressures in 312 pass rush attempts — an NFL-leading 21.8% pressure percentage, according to Next Gen Stats (minimum: 300 rushes).

Now we’ll find out if he can duplicate Brandon Graham and develop into an elite-run stuffer.

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Vic Fangio on Eagles’ biggest position battles: CB, LB, and maybe edge rusher

Vic Fangio says the Philadelphia Eagles biggest position battles are at cornerback, inside linebacker and edge rusher

The Eagles have a loaded roster, but the biggest uncertainties and position battles will likely occur on the defensive side of the ball.

On Thursday, new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio addressed the media and was asked about the biggest and most intense position battles. It was no surprise that the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay, the inside linebacker spot, and the edge rusher would see the most competition.

Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kelee Ringo will battle for the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay. Devin White should be a Day 1 starter at the inside linebacker spot, leaving Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to battle for the weak-side linebacker spot.

At the edge rusher spot, Bryce Huff is a Day 1 starter, but Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, and others could all compete for that role.

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Jalen Ramsey says Anthony Weaver’s defense is ‘different’ in a good way

Jalen Ramsey is feeling confident that new Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver is going to use him correctly.

Nine-year veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey has seen his fair share of defensive schemes since he was drafted in 2016.

Last year, his first with the Miami Dolphins, he played for former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and was less than pleased. As Anthony Weaver takes the reins, Ramsey thinks his approach is different from Fangio and his other past defensive coordinators.

“It’s been cool,” Ramsey said Wednesday. “It’s different than the defenses I’ve played in the past years which is a good thing, can be a really good thing.”

Weaver has spent two decades in the NFL, seven as a player and 12 as a coach. He spent the past three seasons in Baltimore, with the last two as assistant head coach and defensive line coach for the Ravens.

Fangio and the Dolphins decided to mutually part ways this offseason after spending just one year together, and Miami is now moving on to its third defensive coordinator in as many years. The team has more than a month until the season starts, and the defense has more work to do, but Ramsey believes Weaver will put him in the best position.

“The scheme is different, the way he wants to call plays is going to be very different,” Ramsey said. “I’ve heard that [I’m the ultimate chess piece] a few times in my career, though, and that’s only really happened a couple times. I’ll let everything unfold, and whatever is best for the defense at the end of the day, I’m sure — I hope is what position I’ll be in.”

And if Ramsey is used appropriately, he believes his team will reap the benefits.

“It allows me to showcase all of my skill set, all of my abilities,” Ramsey said. “It allows teams to not always be able to dictate where I am. It allows me to be more involved in the game and the gameplan and not get bored out there on the field. I think it opens up a lot of opportunities and plays for other people, as well, when I get to be versatile and do different things.”

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Eagles sign DB Parry Nickerson to a 1-year deal

Philadelphia Eagles sign DB Parry Nickerson to a 1-year deal

The Eagles finished the mandatory minicamp on Thursday and saw enough of one tryout player to sign him to a deal just one month before the start of training camp.

After trying out for the team during the three-day minicamp, free-agent defensive back Parry Nickerson signed a one-year deal with the team.

Nickerson played for the Dolphins and new Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio last season, appearing in five games, including a season-high 45 snaps in Philadelphia’s 31-17 win over Miami in Week 7.

Nickerson was selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the New York Jets out of Tulane and has spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings before joining the Dolphins last year.