Vic Fangio didn’t sugarcoat the state of his defense on Tuesday. After a season of uneven stretches, the Eagles coordinator pointed straight at the basics - execution, consistency and, in one case, a player simply not getting enough work.
The biggest focus was Jonathan Greenard, whose availability and preparation have been limited for most of the season. Fangio made it clear that the issue isn’t effort. It’s reps.
“What I see, is a guy that’s had very, very little practice. I mean, when I say very little, miniscule.
He missed all of training camp, missed the first two weeks of the season - no practice. Started practicing, was on a pitch count, played 19 plays, was gonna increase the next week, he got hurt early in that game.
Didn’t finish that game. Didn’t play the next game.
And, he’s been limited in practice.
Contrary to some people’s popular belief, practice is important. He’s had next to none.”
Fangio said there’s no shortcut for that kind of missed time. Film study and walkthroughs can help, but they don’t replace actual practice work. Even for a veteran, he said, the reps matter.
“Practice is important for everybody.”
He added that Greenard is still working his way into comfort in the system, and that the practice time he does get is what will help him settle in. Fangio also said the bye week won’t be a true catch-up window, since most teams don’t practice much during that stretch, though it could help Greenard get healthier.
Fangio also gave a blunt assessment of the defense’s overall performance after Sunday night’s loss to the Commanders.
“Tough loss. We have to find a way to win those low-scoring games.
We’ve done it here in the past. We’ve gotta be able to do it.”
That theme carried into his broader review of the unit. He said the defense has been inconsistent, including against the run.
Fangio called that area okay, borderline good at times, but pointed to the late 33-yard run as a problem spot. He said he has to coach it better and call it better, and the players have to finish the job.
He also addressed Jordan Davis, saying the defensive tackle has slipped a bit over the last couple of weeks.
“He’s been not quite as good as he had been in the past, these last couple weeks. Think he’s got a little problem with his hand there, but he can be better. But we love Jordan [Davis] and he can get there.”
On the self-scouting front, Fangio said the Eagles are always doing that work and don’t wait for the bye week to start. In his view, it’s part of the weekly process.
He also had a long look at the Giants’ offense, calling it a strong group with plenty of talent around the quarterback.
“They’ve got a really good offense They’ve got skill at the receiving position. They did a nice job raiding the Ravens, not just for John [Harbuagh], but with [Isaiah] Likely and [Patrick] Ricard.
They got a lot of the Ravens-type offense that they had when Greg [Roman], and they’ve intermixed Kansas City-type passing in there with Matt [Nagy], and they’ve got it going right now. They got good wide outs, good tight ends, two good backs, and the quarterback is commanding in a short amount of time, and has really done a nice job,.
For them to get [J.J. McCarthy] for a sixth round pick is a steal.”
Fangio also singled out Andrew Mukuba for praise, saying the safety has had a good season overall even if there are a few plays he’d want back. He called Mukuba a good young player and said he expects him to be good for a long time.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will keep getting snaps, and Fangio said the team will have to monitor Jihaad Campbell’s health going forward.
He also acknowledged that confidence may be wobbling inside the defense, though he framed that as a simple question of what has to come first.
As the trade deadline approaches, Fangio said he doesn’t feel the need to address rumors with players unless something starts to gain traction and isn’t true.
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