Eagles' DC Vic Fangio on the in-game benefits of Jordan Davis losing 26 pounds

USA Today

3 days ago

Vic Fangio praised his star defensive tackle for losing weight and hopefully being able to bend his knees and get low on key plays
The Eagles held a marvelous Super Bowl 59 ring ceremony twelve days ago. After the final celebration of February's win over Kansas City, Philadelphia has officially turned the page and quickly refocused on the task at hand. The hunters are now the hunted, and the Birds have completed Week 1 of training camp with the mindset of defending their title and staying hungry in the process.
Lost in the celebration is the urgency that several key players and one high-profile assistant coach will face over the next few weeks, as each individual plays a crucial role in a potential return to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara. One player with an increased urgency is fourth-year defensive tackle Jordan Davis, who's looking for a breakout season and a long-term contract.
Davis shed a ton of weight this off-season, and that hard work wasn't lost on defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Fangio held his second press conference of training camp and provided eight answers on several pertinent topics involving the Eagles' defense and the competition at several key positions.
Fangio discusses what he wants to see from Davis, and why the weight loss will pay dividends on key down.
"There are times he needs to get 6-2 and bend his knees.'
Fangio expanded more on the topic.
"It should because when you get tired, you don't get low enough. If you're tired, he should in theory not be as tired as quick as he used to be."
The Eagles exercised the fifth-year option on Jordan Davis this offseason, and the 2022 first-round pick will look to capitalize on the six tackles and two sacks during the Super Bowl run. Davis (6-6, 336 pounds) has started all 40 regular-season and postseason contests over the past two seasons, but needs a strong season to warrant a long-term extension.