On Sunday, the Eagles returned to work after their first preseason game, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to reporters about the defense’s performance and how many of the young players fared in their first live NFL appearance.
Fangio also talked about the Eagles’ signing of safety Caden Sterns, someone the DC coached in Denver a few years ago.
“Yeah, (Sterns) was a good player. He moved well. He had good instincts. Good ball skills. He had a good feel for the game. We just have to see how he does physically. I think he’s only played five games in the last two years.
I don’t think you’ll see him here on the practice field, at least not for the next week or so. So we’ll have to see how he’s doing physically, how he’s moving, and then go from there.”
Here’s what else the DC had to say:
On the defensive performance against the Ravens
Fangio said he liked the way Friday’s game ended. He said Partrick Johnson made an incredible play to cause the fumble and recover it. He also pointed out their series of three-and-outs in the second and third quarters, which was also good to see.
He explained that there are a lot of lessons to be learned from a preseason game, noting that in practice, especially during the pass rush, they fail to complete the tackle and stay away from the quarterback.
“A game is when you actually attack. A game is when everything is actually running at full speed, from start to finish. The games are very, very valuable for the development and evaluation of players.”
When asked why so many of the regulars were playing defense rather than offense, Fangio replied that they were just so new on defense – as opposed to offense, where about eight of their eleven regulars are returning.
About Quinyon Mitchell and the Nickel Position
“I thought he did well. He played both nickelback and outside corner. He’s a good player and he’s going to be a good player. We just have to be careful not to overload him too much because nickelback is a full-time position, just like cornerback, and he’s just learning both, and they’re two completely different positions.”
Fangio said they hope to reduce Mitchell’s involvement and allow him to focus on one primary position, which is ideal but may not be practical.
“Maybe we need to let him play nickel.”
The DC later said that it might be necessary to use Mitchell as a nickel, but it could also be the result of trying to put the best combination of players on the field. He also explained the difference between nickel and corner.
“Nickel is basically a linebacker position. You know, if you go back to the traditional 4-3, if you stay with a 4-3, a linebacker would go out in that spot. Well, the linebacker leaves the play and now you’re in nickel and the nickel is in that spot.
So when you essentially boil it down, he plays in linebacker-type zones that are more involved in the run than a cornerback. So it’s a totally different position.”
To the individual services
James Bradberry
“Yeah, (James Bradberry) does a damn good job (as a safety). He has a good feel for the football, which he carried over to the safety position. I think he understands the game at a high level through his experience and his intelligence, and that helped him make the transition to safety. He’s doing a good job.”
Isaiah Rodgers Sr.
“(Rodgers) had a handful of plays. He got beat on one end cut, but he was tight. Overall good. He had a good training camp.”
Ringo Kelee
“(Ringo) hit some balls outside the numbers, which is different than playing nickel. I thought he played well and did well.”
On the LB position
Overall, Fangio was satisfied with the way Nakobe Dean, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., And Ben VanSumeren played on Friday night. He noted that they were up against twos and threes, so they had to dial back their rating a bit, but overall he thought those three players did well.
The DC acknowledged that Zack Baun doesn’t have a lot of experience at the linebacker position, but when he was in New Orleans, he has enough experience to believe he can do it. Fangio said Baun has had a good training camp so far and didn’t play properly the first few games against Baltimore, but overall he’s done well.
Fangio spoke about OLB Jalyx Hunt and admitted that the rookie performed a little better than he expected against the Ravens, just because of practice. He is improving and coming along, and the DC believes Hunt will continue to improve.
He also paid tribute Nolan Smith for converting a free sack. Fangio made a sack from the side, where the tackle came out too late and Smith was able to convert the free sack.
“(Smith) is quick and athletic. When he can use that part of his game, he’s outstanding. He needs to get more physical. When he has to attack and wrestle with tackles, he needs to be able to do something. He’s improving.”
On the DT position
Fangio admitted they didn’t have as many defensive plays as he would have liked on Friday and wished he had more reps from guys like PJ Mustipher, Thomas BookerAnd Gabe Hall. The DC noted that they need to develop more pass rush inside the line, and that is something they hope to accomplish.
As for nose tackle, Fangio said they are in good shape — they obviously have Jordan Davis And Milton Williams can probably go in there and play it if needed. They probably line up five center backs on game day, and one of those guys has to be a backup nose tackle.
