Vic Fangio Reaffirms Faith in Bryce Huff as Phillies' Defensive Struggles Continue
The Philadelphia Eagles' defense, under the guidance of seasoned coordinator Vic Fangio, faces a challenging start to the football season, highlighted by some promising individual performances and glaring weaknesses in run defense.
Bryce Huff, who solidified his place as a starter this offseason by signing a three-year, $51 million contract, has shown flashes of potential. Over the first two games, Huff recorded two pressures on 59 snaps, resulting in a pressure rate of 6.7%. Despite these contributions, the defensive end has yet to register a sack or quarterback hit.
"He's still going to be the starter. But we're mixing those guys in, as I know you know, and we'll continue to do that," Fangio remarked, emphasizing the rotational nature of his defensive line. "He's still learning how to play the total game and not just rush situations. But he's working hard at it, and we're going to stick with him."
One bright spot for the Eagles has been Nolan Smith, who has matched up three pressures and boasts a notable pressure rate of 13.6%, yet he too has been unable to secure a sack or quarterback hit. Fangio expressed confidence in Smith's development, stating, "I think Nolan has come a ways since his rookie year. I think he's playing better on the edge than he was last year, all around."
The Eagles' foremost struggle has been their alarming run defense, ranking 31st in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (6.4) and 29th in 10+ yard rushes allowed (11). Fangio addressed the broader defensive inefficiencies by stressing the importance of fundamentals and overall performance. "I think when you talk production, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're talking sacks and pressures and stuff, and until we do a better job of playing the run, those aren't coming. That's for sure. We all have to do a better job, starting with me, of playing the run better."
Adding youthful energy to the defense is rookie third-round pick Jalyx Hunt, who remains optimistic about the team’s potential despite their early struggles. "It's everybody's second game of the season. We're learning to gel. I'm not worried about it at all. You see spurts of it in moments, so once we get to the point where that's the whole game, I think we're going to be fine," said Hunt.
Fangio's approach emphasizes blending the experience of veteran players with the nascent talent of rookies like Hunt. "One thing I would hate to do is to wish my time to come faster then I'm not where I need to be. But my time will come and when I have the opportunity, I feel like I'm going to rise to the occasion," Hunt continued, showcasing maturity beyond his years.
As the season progresses, Fangio remains determined to cultivate a balanced and cohesive defensive unit. Hunt is seizing every opportunity to learn from his seasoned teammates, saying, "I'm working hard every day, getting extra time in with the coaches and what not, BG [Brandon Graham], Bryce [Huff], anybody I have access to."
The Philadelphia Eagles' path ahead will undoubtedly include its share of challenges, but with Fangio's committed leadership and a roster that melds promising rookies with experienced veterans, the framework for defensive improvement is steadily being laid. The focus now is on translating potential into performance and ensuring that talents like Huff, Smith, and Hunt can contribute effectively to a defensive resurgence.