Latest news with #Fangio
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' Reed Blankenship weighs in on Vic Fangio-Dolphins drama
The post Eagles' Reed Blankenship weighs in on Vic Fangio-Dolphins drama appeared first on ClutchPoints. Before Vic Fangio transformed the Philadelphia Eagles into an absolute force in 2024, turning the team into a defensive juggernaut capable of winning the Super Bowl, he spent a season with the Miami Dolphins that didn't quite go as well as anyone had hoped. Advertisement Now granted, the Dolphins' defense wasn't terrible, as they finished out the year ranked 10th in yards allowed, 15th in passing yards allowed, and seventh in rushing yards allowed, but they gave up 391 points on the season, which ranked 22nd league-wide, and played a major role in the team's embarassing playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. And yet, the biggest issue wasn't on the field but instead in the locker room, as the players in Miami didn't get along with Fangio, leading to his ultimate firing and return to Philadelphia as a full-time defensive coordinator after spending some time as a consultant during the Eagles' previous Super Bowl run. Discussing what he's experienced in Philadelphia and how it compares to what he's heard from Miami, Eagles safety Reed Blankenship noted on 94 WIP that while the Dolphins may not have liked Fangio's old-school coaching, the Eagles adapted to it incredibly well. 'Whatever was said in Miami, that's their locker room. Our locker room is completely different, I believe in my opinion. We've got guys that liked to be coached and like to be held accountable, and obviously that shows on the field. We're a young group, but we understand if we want to win the big things we've got to be coached hard.' Advertisement Ever since Nick Sirianni was hired to replace Doug Pederson, the Eagles have been playing some version of Fangio's defense, with Jonathan Gannon borrowing from the former Denver Broncos system, as did Sean Desi upon his departure. Fortunately, even though he's been coaching football as long as Nick Sirianni has been alive, Fangio has remained as advertised, forging a defensive scheme that was tied with Philadelphia's rushing offense as the strength of the team. With Blankenship and company locked in, it's safe to say the Dolphins' loss is as the Eagles gain, as they've now secured their second Super Bowl victory in the last decade. Related: Eagles claim 2nd-year Jaguars talent Related: The Scottish secret behind the Eagles' Tush Push
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Vic Fangio: Good news is Jalen Carter played well and can still improve a lot
Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter has made a big impact in his first two NFL seasons, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio thinks there's plenty of upside left for the 2023 first-round pick. Carter was a second-team All-Pro after recording 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles during the regular season and he had two more sacks and a forced fumble in the team's playoff win over the Rams. During a press conference this week, Fangio was asked his thoughts about what the future holds for Carter. 'The good news about Jalen is twofold,' Fangio said, via a transcript from the team. 'One, he played very well for us last year, and two, he can still improve a lot.' Carter isn't arguing with that assessment. Carter mentioned Chris Jones and Dexter Lawrence while discussing the best defensive tackles in the league and said his goal is to reach that level as well. 'This is what I wanted to do,' Carter said, via Dave Zangaro of 'I wanted to be the best at what I do, try to be the best. I'm not there yet. I still got a lot of people in front of me that's obviously been in the league a couple [more] years, got years of experience on me. But I'm just going to keep grinding every day. Not just me by myself working on specific things to get better, just being around the team having the guys support me also makes me also be one of the best in the league.' Repeating as Super Bowl champions is difficult, but it'll be a little easier if Carter can continue ascending as rapidly as he has the last two years.
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Vic Fangio feels good about Eagles' pass rush despite offseason departures
The Eagles' pass rush that relentlessly pressured Patrick Mahomes was a big part of the reason they won Super Bowl LIX, but that pass rush will look different in 2025: Josh Sweat, who led the team in sacks in the regular season and had 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl, is gone. Milton Williams, who was third on the team in sacks in the regular season and had two sacks in the Super Bowl, is gone. Defensive ends Brandon Graham and Bryce Huff are gone. But Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio isn't worried. Fangio mentioned Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari as players he thinks he can count on to be a big part of the pass rush this season. 'I feel good about Nolan,' Fangio said. 'I think we'll feel good about Jalyx now that he's gonna get a lot of reps and develop. He played good for us down the stretch last year, and played a lot, as you saw, so I feel good about those two guys, and I think they'll continue to improve. We've got Uche, we've got Azeez, we've got three other guys there. I think we'll be fine.' The Eagles suffered heavy losses on defense in free agency, but Fangio has repeatedly said he trusts General Manager Howie Roseman to give him a roster he can succeed with. The roster will look different in 2025, but that doesn't mean it can't again land in the Super Bowl.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' Reed Blankenship Calls Out Dolphins Players Amid Vic Fangio's Departure
Eagles' Reed Blankenship Calls Out Dolphins Players Amid Vic Fangio's Departure originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Dolphins saw their 2023 defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, win a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles. With how the Dolphins' 2023 season ended, Fangio and the Dolphins parting ways, the Eagles' defensive performance in 2024 came as a surprise. Advertisement During an interview on Sports Radio 94 WIP, Eagles safety Reed Blankenship was asked what it's like being coached by Fangio. His answer was a subtle jab at the Dolphins players who complained about Fangio from the 2023 season. "I've never had a problem with him." Blankenship said. "Whatever was said in Miami, that's their locker room. Our locker room is completely different, I believe in my opinion. We've got guys that like to be coached and like to be held accountable, and obviously that shows on the field." Blankenship's comments indirectly paint the Dolphins, who complained about Fangio, as players who don't like to be coached hard or held accountable. That subtle jab stings more, since the Eagles' defense, led by Fangio, was one of the best units in the NFL in 2024. Advertisement Dolphins defensive backs Cam Smith and Jevon Holland shared posts on social media, essentially celebrating Fangio's departure following the 2023 season. Holland posted a video of him kicking rocks shortly after Fangio left, and Smith posted an emoji, signifying he'll be unlocked following Fangio's departure. Neither Smith nor Holland was the only source to showcase that the Dolphins' players weren't upset at Fangio departing for Philadelphia. His former players celebrated Fangio's departure, and things were heightened after Drew Rosenhaus, in a comment to Miami Fox affiliate WSVN-Channel 7, claimed multiple Dolphins players didn't get along with Fangio. Advertisement The Dolphins players weren't big fans of Fangio. Holland, Smith, and other Dolphins players were "celebrating" his departure. The Dolphins' defense, led by Fangio, was the 10th-best unit by yards allowed. They allowed the seventh fewest yards in the run game as well. But, they also allowed the 11th most points, and the seventh most passing touchdowns. Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio at a press conference at the PSD Bank Lee-Imagn Images While not a terrible unit defensively, the Dolphins' 2023 season didn't go as well as the team had hoped. Finishing 11-6, the Dolphins made the playoffs, but were bounced after Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins couldn't beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Blankenship's subtle jab at the Dolphins players comes in defense of his defensive coordinator. With how Blankenship and the Eagles performed under Fangio, it's easy for him to question the Dolphins players for not replicating the Eagles' success with Fangio. Advertisement His comments called out the Dolphins players after Fangio's departure. He essentially said the Dolphins players don't like to be coached, nor do they like to be held accountable. Related: Dolphins Get Bad News on Projected Jalen Ramsey Trade Package Related: Dolphins Legend Dan Marino Questions Aaron Rodgers' Mindset This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vic Fangio Issues Blunt Update on Nakobe Dean Injury Timeline
Vic Fangio Issues Blunt Update on Nakobe Dean Injury Timeline originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio delivered a sobering assessment of Nakobe Dean's recovery timeline during Tuesday's organized team activities, indicating the fourth-year linebacker will not return to the field anytime soon. Advertisement Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon during the playoffs and could miss the start of the regular season as his rehabilitation continues. When asked about positions requiring projection during the offseason, Fangio was blunt. 'Until Nakobe comes back, which won't be any time soon, we've got that to deal with,' Fangio said. The injury has created a significant void in the Eagles' linebacker corps, forcing the team to explore alternative options during the offseason program. Second-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has stepped into the spotlight, taking the majority of first-team reps alongside veteran Zack Baun during team periods. Patellar tendon injuries are notoriously difficult to recover from, often requiring extensive rehabilitation and careful management to avoid setbacks. Dean's playoff injury means his timeline now stretches deep into the offseason, potentially jeopardizing his availability for training camp and beyond. Advertisement Fangio's comments suggest the Eagles are preparing to start the season without one of their defensive leaders—a scenario that would place additional pressure on younger players to step up. Trotter Jr.'s increased workload appears to be more than just offseason conditioning; it's preparation for meaningful playing time. Meanwhile, the Eagles' first-round pick, Jihaad Campbell, is also dealing with injury concerns. The Alabama product is recovering from a torn labrum that required offseason surgery and is not expected to return until August. Campbell will miss the remainder of OTAs and likely the early part of training camp. Despite his absence from the practice field, Campbell remains involved. 'He's doing all he can in meetings. We're doing all we can with him on the field,' Fangio said. 'I take him to the side and do an individual drill with him that's suited to what he can do right now.' The injury situations with both Dean and Campbell underscore the growing uncertainty within the Eagles' linebacker room as offseason preparations continue. While Campbell has a relatively firm recovery timetable, Dean's unclear status adds a layer of complexity to the Eagles' defensive planning heading into a season with Super Bowl expectations. Advertisement Related: Saquon Barkley Announced As Madden Cover Athlete Related: Names Most Complete Team as 'Everyone Wants to Be the Eagles' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
