Eagles-Commanders Film Review: Vic Fangio’s defense is young, aggressive, and talented

Ooh, child, this Philadelphia Eagles efense is sweet. It’s cool watching a Vic Fangio protection ball out. This protection is younger, aggressive, and gifted. This efficiency in opposition to the Washington Commanders was a enjoyable one.

(Beforehand: Eagles-Commanders offensive movie overview.)

Protection

Firstly of the 12 months, I bear in mind the Eagles couldn’t cease groups having success when utilizing bunches. In one among these articles, I sarcastically wrote that Fangio ought to begin utilizing the ‘field’ name the place you employ 4 defenders to distribute the opposing three receivers. I wrote this sarcastically as a result of I discovered in regards to the ‘field’ name from studying articles on Fangio’s protection! It seems the Eagles’ protection was gradual in the beginning as a result of Fangio was taking his time and giving his gamers time to study the intricacies of the protection. It appears like a Fangio protection now. Look how good the communication and route distribution is.

Zack Baun isn’t dangerous both, is he? That is excellent protection from a linebacker. He reads the quarterback’s eyes and makes a improbable play on the ball. Pay the person.

Reed Blankenship additionally performs this very well, and he’s improbable being the ‘Trix’ security (that means he’s away from the passing energy, which has three receivers, so he appears that approach moderately than the aspect he’s lined up on), and he could have damaged this play up anyway.

The one situation I noticed from the protection this week was overlaying the flats. This makes me seem like an fool as a result of I raised it as a energy final week! It does present you the way week-to-week the NFL is. The Eagles had hassle when Washington was in 21 personnel and used movement and play-action, so I’m not too frightened, as not many groups run 21 personnel so much, but it surely’s one thing to be careful for.

Prior to now month, I’ve solely posted wonderful performs by Zack Baun. So, I believed I would come with a missed sort out. To show he’s human. If his agent reads this, I hope he realizes that Baun’s play is now assured to say no, and he ought to instantly signal the Eagles contract provide. It’s the perfect for everybody.

Nakobe Dean is enjoying so properly in the mean time. That is one other ‘field’ name the place the Eagles play 4-over-3 to the bunch aspect and distribute the routes evenly. Jayden Daniels refuses the checkdown and hopes he can beat Dean in area. I don’t assume there are lots of linebackers that Daniels doesn’t imagine he can beat one-on-one in area. Nakobe Dean makes a improbable play and forces the punt. This can be a difficult play for a linebacker to make in area and it highlights how properly Dean is enjoying proper now.

Washington left their guards one-on-one with Jalen Carter rather a lot, and to be sincere, I believed Sam Cosmi really did a great job in opposition to him. Nevertheless, enjoying properly in opposition to Jalen Carter doesn’t imply you shut him out. I’m undecided any guard within the league can cease Carter from making performs. He made a handful of freakishly athletic performs on this sport, and I used to be glad that the published stored highlighting him as a result of he deserves nationwide recognition. The man goes to be a whole famous person. I’ve been saying it since I scouted him pre-draft!

Generally, I feel analysts like myself can get a bit obsessive about the X&Os and the finer particulars. It’s enjoyable to study in regards to the scheme. However it’s essential to not overlook that the fundamentals are at all times probably the most important a part of successful soccer video games. I don’t care how good your defensive coordinator is and the way good the scheme is. If the gamers will not be giving 100% effort and rallying to the soccer on each play, then you definately received’t be a high protection. Excessive-level effort issues vastly. Now, effort and training are intrinsically linked. As a result of gamers will give effort after they know it would result in rewards. Proper now, this protection is enjoying powerful. It’s apparent that they belief the scheme and know it’s working. That is such a superb play to see. This was not the one play I noticed rallying to the soccer. Take a look at Jalen Carter above on play 4. Nolan Smith made one other play out in area on a display screen cross. This protection is enjoying quick and aggressive. I find it irresistible.

Fangio’s disciples have a little bit of a status for being a bit passive on essential downs. Fangio was something however passive on this sport. He was aggressive with blitzes and man protection on third downs. He would stack the field in brief yardage. It received’t at all times work, however seeing a protection that wasn’t predictable was good. He used some distinctive appears, such because the one beneath, to attempt to confuse Jayden Daniels. This can be an odd remark, however I don’t assume the Eagles’ protection was ‘pretty much as good’ because it appeared stay. On the all22, it was evident that guys had been open at instances. However Daniels didn’t know what he was taking a look at. He was confused on plenty of performs and missed open receivers. That factors to the defensive coordinator doing a great job mixing up his appears.

My favourite a part of the sport plan was how aggressive Fangio was in brief yardage. He didn’t wish to surrender simple first downs and got here out with this aggressive entrance in short-yardage conditions. This defensive entrance should weigh so much. Brandon Graham remains to be such a flexible defensive lineman. He appears like he may play as a defensive sort out at instances. He’s so stout within the run sport. He’s the one Eagles’ defensive lineman who can line up as an EDGE after which kick inside as a defensive sort out whereas Baun takes his place at EDGE. This provides the Eagles plenty of versatility and unpredictability pre-snap. BG perhaps 36, however the Eagles wouldn’t have one other defensive lineman like him. We’re going to miss him when he goes.

Nolan Smith is growing properly as this season progresses. He’s nonetheless a a lot better run defender than a cross rusher, and he doesn’t persistently affect the quarterback, however he’s making splash performs such because the one beneath. As a lot as I want to see constant strain from him, contemplating the place he was a cross rusher final season, I’m completely pleased with the occasional splash play from him. His athleticism in area and aggressiveness in opposition to the run makes him a really helpful EDGE rusher. He won’t be excellent and nonetheless has so much he may enhance on, however he’s had a great 2nd season.

The most effective sequence of the sport was the turnover on downs the Eagles induced. Hardly ever, a great NFL offense can’t convert from 2nd and 1, however the Eagles defended that yard like the sport trusted it. What I preferred about this sequence was that each play concerned somebody totally different and a distinct look from Fangio. It wasn’t only one participant making the identical play each time. The primary one was all about Jalen Carter. This one-arm membership transfer is so troublesome to cease, and he creates havoc with it each week. Even when a defensive lineman makes a play within the backfield, he’ll want assist from different defenders to cease the again from falling ahead for one yard. He received assist right here from Nakobe Dean.

Jordan Davis deserves probably the most credit score for the cease on third and 1. He does a improbable job blowing up this run, however identical to on 2nd and 1, he can’t do it alone. Baun and BG do a very good job cleansing up and stopping the operating again from falling ahead.

The ultimate cease on 4th and 1 was only a ridiculous play from Baun. I didn’t notice stay that he was lined up at EDGE and needed to tackle a pulling guard. Having the ability to tackle a pulling lineman in area, get off that block, and nonetheless make the sort out for loss is outrageous. He’s so good. I joke about it each week, however the Eagles actually do must signal him.

I can’t consider many Eagles’ defenses over the previous few years who would have made a cease on 2nd and 1, third and 1, and 4th and 1. That’s spectacular stuff, particularly as quick yardage just isn’t one thing we affiliate with Fangio’s protection!

I really feel like Reed Blankenship is probably the most underrated Eagles’ defender. He’s not often spoken about, however he not often has a nasty sport. How usually do you watch a sport and see Blankenship make many errors? He simply goes below the radar. It’s just a little stunning as a result of his ball abilities are excellent.

This can be a high-quality interception. Jayden Daniels reads this appropriately and expects Blankenship to take the put up route which would go away the intermediate route open. Techincally, Blankenship most likely ought to take the put up route. However he reads Daniels’ eyes and is aware of he isn’t going to throw the put up route, so he jumps in entrance of the intermediate route. That is superior. I feel it additionally reveals Blankenship’s belief in Quinyon Mitchell, as he has religion that he may cowl the put up route whether it is thrown.

This was a great efficiency in opposition to a great offense. Sean McVay’s Rams will deliver a really totally different problem, so I’m excited to see this protection go to work as soon as once more.

Thanks for studying! I’d love to listen to your ideas, so be at liberty to remark beneath and ask any questions. If you happen to loved this piece, you’ll find extra of my work and podcast right here.