Vic Fangio Invests in Potential as Bryce Huff and Nolan Smith Struggle Early
Vic Fangio's recent decisions and insights into his defensive lineup reflect a strategic blend of veteran presence and emerging talent. This offseason, Bryce Huff signed a noteworthy three-year, $51 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, solidifying his role within the team. Despite this significant investment, Huff's performance in the first two games has been underwhelming.
In 59 snaps over the first two games, Huff has managed just two pressures, resulting in a pressure rate of 6.7%. Notably, he has yet to record a sack or a quarterback hit. Fangio, however, remains committed to his starter, stating, "He's still going to be the starter. But we're mixing those guys in, as I know you know, and we'll continue to do that." This statement underscores Fangio's confidence in Huff’s potential despite the early season struggles.
The Eagles' defensive line isn’t without other emerging talent. Nolan Smith, in his second year, has shown promise with three pressures and a pressure rate of 13.6% in the same period. Like Huff, Smith has not recorded a sack or quarterback hit, but Fangio sees improvement. "I think Nolan has come a ways since his rookie year. I think he's playing better on the edge than he was last year, all around," Fangio observed.
Defense Remains a Concern
The Philadelphia defense as a whole, however, has shown vulnerabilities. The Eagles currently rank 31st in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (6.4) and 29th in 10+ yard rushes allowed (11). Fangio, a meticulous coach, is keenly aware of these statistics. "I think when you talk production, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're talking sacks and pressures and stuff, and until we do a better job of playing the run, those aren't coming. That's for sure. We all have to do a better job, starting with me, of playing the run better," he asserted.
Fangio's strategy hinges on fundamentals and a commitment to both seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. One of those newcomers, rookie third-round pick Jalyx Hunt, embodies the resilience and belief that Fangio values. Despite the defensive struggles, Hunt remains optimistic. "It's everybody's second game of the season. We're learning to gel. I'm not worried about it at all. You see spurts of it in moments, so once we get to the point where that's the whole game, I think we're going to be fine," Hunt stated.
Rookie on the Rise
Hunt’s work ethic and attitude are precisely what Fangio looks for in a player. "One thing I would hate to do is to wish my time to come faster then I'm not where I need to be. But my time will come and when I have the opportunity, I feel like I'm going to rise to the occasion," Hunt reflected. His dedication is evident in his commitment to extra practice and learning from seasoned veterans, as he mentioned, "I'm working hard every day, getting extra time in with the coaches and what not, BG [Brandon Graham], Bryce [Huff], anybody I have access to."
Building a Cohesive Unit
Fangio’s focus on fundamentals and performance consistency is clear. By integrating veterans and promising rookies, he hopes to forge a cohesive and effective defensive unit. The early statistics may be grim, but the commitment to improvement is steadfast. Fangio’s philosophy of blending experience with potential could be a key driver for the Eagles' turnaround.
Only time will tell if Huff and Smith can translate their pressures into tangible successes like sacks and quarterback hits, or if the defensive line can clamp down on the ground game. For now, though, Fangio’s belief in his strategy and his players’ potential remains unwavering.
With figures like Hunt rising and learning, and Fangio at the helm focusing on improvement, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense may just find its footing in the coming games.