The Eagles opened up another OTA session this week and on Tuesday, Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to the media regarding his defense that for a second straight season has multiple question marks regarding personnel. Here are the biggest takeaways from Fangio’s press conference.
Jihaad Campbell out until mid-August
The Eagles’ first round pick in this year’s draft will not suit up until the middle of August according to Fangio. Campbell, working his way back from a torn labrum was expected to miss time during the preseason workouts to start the summer, but Fangio provided a more definitive timeline.
“Well right now he’s working at ILB because there’s a lot more to learn there so that’s where we’re starting him,” Fangio said. “He won’t hit the practice field until sometime in August. So we’re doing all we can. He’s doing all he can in meetings. We’re doing all we can with him on the field. I take him to the side, doing individual drills with him that’s suited to what he can do right now. He’s working good and trying to pick it up.“
Asked if he sees Campbell as a pass rusher, Fangio said it will take seeing the former first team All-SEC selection from Alabama on the field to determine that.
The 31st overall selection was projected to be a middle round pick but slid down to Philadelphia who moved up one spot ahead of Kansas City to grab Campbell. He will now have to play catch up to learn the defense as the team will hope the rookie can be ready for the regular season.
Nakobe Dean will be out “for awhile”
Sticking with the EDGE rushers, Dean who tore his patellar tendon in the Wild Card win over Green Bay had surgery back on January 20th and working his way back. It was expected that Dean would also miss some significant time working his way back from the gruesome injury, but Fangio said that Dean “won’t be back for awhile.”
Last season, Dean started in 15 games for the Eagles and made an impact, totaling 128 tackles to go with three sacks and an interception. It is the second time Dean has missed significant time in his young NFL career, missing most of the 2023 season with a foot injury.
Jordan Davis in best shape of his career
Fangio was asked about Davis and his improvement from last year, more specifically being able to get to the quarterback. Fangio said that practice is where the improvements originated from.
“He got better towards those last seven or eight games. He really did,” Fangio said. “You saw it in practice first. Unlike a lot of people who think you don’t need practice you do need practice. He showed it first and then it carried over into the games. I think he realized that, felt it, felt good and he’s just carried it over all offseason.”
Fangio continued: “I think he is in the best shape he has ever been in which he got into late into last season last year. He has carried it over. I think he is going to do very well for us this year.”
Asked a follow up as to why it took so long for Davis to get into the best shape of his life Fangio opted to not answer.
“We could be here a long time for that. For some guys it takes a long time. I’m ducking that question.”
Why Bryce Huff was traded
It will go down as one of the worst signings for Howie Roseman, but it did not hinder the Eagles too badly all things considered. Fangio was asked why it did not work for the pass rusher who signed a three-year $51.1-million contract before last season and why the team traded him to San Francisco.
“One thing, he was getting better and when he hurt his hand, he tried to play through it. It wasn’t going good. He was reluctant to use his hand. Then when they operated on it, he had to play with it, and it rendered his hand and arm useless and that had an effect on him. We just came out of draft season you see hand size and arm length. While he was out Nolan [Smith] and Jalyx [Hunt] got more snaps. I think he will do fine in San Francisco.”
Safety battle will need time to sort out
There are a handful of position battles many will keep an eye on. One of the most intriguing battles to watch is the other safety spot and who will earn the starting role alongside Reed Blankenship. It has been assumed that it is a two-horse race between Sydney Brown and rookie Andrew Mukuba, the second-round pick for the Eagles this season out of Texas. However, according to Fangio it sounds like it will be quite the battle with a third player mixed in.
“It’s a competition that’s going to training camp and a few preseason games to sort out. Tristan [McCollum] is in there too.”
Fangio also added that Brown, although with the team for the last two seasons will need to learn the new system that Fangio implemented last year while Brown missed most of last season recovering from his ACL injury he suffered in 2023.
“His experience came in ’23, not ’24. Last year at this time he wasn’t doing anything and didn’t do anything until middle of Oct. So, he lost all this time of year, training camp and early part of season and never got many reps with us defensively. He did play in last game against the Giants. It’s a new system from what he had in ’23. Yes, he’s sitting in meetings, but that only goes so far. He lost that last year. He’s going through that process now and doing fine.”
Cooper DeJean is also taking reps at safety and Fangio believes that the talented second year corner could thrive at the position.
“I think he would play very well at safety. It suits his skillset and things he does well. I just think he would do very well there.”
The Eagles will have a day off tomorrow before wrapping up their final OTA session on Thursday before their mandatory minicamp opens up on June 10.
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
