The Eagles were back on the practice field Wednesday, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to reporters before things got started. He talked about Jordan Davis’ development as a pass rusher, and what he’s seen from some of the depth players, especially at linebacker.
Here’s what the DC had to say:
On Jordan Davis’ development
Fangio was asked about how DT Jordan Davis has developed as a pass rusher, and the DC pointed to Davis’ physical changes.
“Well, it first started at the end of the 2024 season. He got in better shape.
He’s a much better pass rusher in the 330s than he is what he was, and that to me is the biggest thing.”
He went on to explain that Davis needs to be his full 6-foot-6 when it’s to his advantage, but he also needs to bend his knees and be 6-foot-3 at times, which is easier to do when he weighs less and is in better shape. Being able to do move around easier and for a longer duration of time is what really propelled Davis’ game.
Individual assessments
OLB Arnold Ebiketie
“He’s made nice progress here. I think coming in on the offseason, in the six OTAs that we had, it was kind of new to him. He was hesitant, not sure. I think he’s made a lot of progress in that manner, and is having a much better camp. Him, and some of the other guys are taking advantage of the reps their gaining with [Jonathan] Greenard being out for awhile.”
DB Michael Carter
“Right now, I feel good about him playing nickel, playing safety if need be. Maybe some of the other DBs in that bag, not so yet, but doesn’t mean they won’t get there. We don’t have a lot of new, young players on defense, so most of the guys that are here, have some background with us. So, we should be able to make those decisions a little quicker.”
LB Chance Campbell
“Don’t sleep on Chance [Campbell], now. You guys when you make your lists out there.
We like Chance. Chance — he’s a good football player. Had some injuries earlier in his career that set him back, but since the day we picked him up last year, he’s shown that he’s a football player, and we like him. Interesting, last year, we picked him up the last week of the preseason game — I don’t remember the exact day, but it was just a few days before the game, and he didn’t need that acclimation period.“
LB Jeremiah Trotter
“Trot’s had a very good camp. Trot, to me, along the same lines as we talked about with [Andrew] Mukuba — looking better, moving better, playing better. And I just think it’s not so much a conditioning and physical thing, it’s more of a knowing what he’s doing, seeing things quicker, faster, and playing faster.
But, he’s had an excellent camp. It’s the best I’ve seen him look since we’ve had him.”
Other notables
- Fangio talked a bit about how it’s difficult to balance getting starters reps while also keeping them healthy. And while they are committed to the development of the young players and new players, they aren’t prioritizing that over what’s best for the team and where the reps need to be.
- The DC says he hasn’t learned much about the Eagles new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and his play-calling style yet, noting that even though they’ve gone against each other in practice, there’s no scoreboard and it’s not a real game.
“I wouldn’t be worried. And like I told [Sean Mannion], we obviously got the best of yesterday’s practice by a long shot, but that’s the way it’s been the last two years in training camp, the defense has gotten the best of the offense. So, not to be too concerned.”
- He did say that the new Eagles offensive style gives them some more opportunities to prepare for different teams they see throughout the season — especially as Jalen Hurts does more things under center. Fangio admitted it gives the defense more variety in practice than they’ve had the past few years.
- The DC talked about how the whole league is playing a lot more nickel, for many reasons, the biggest being the fullback position disappearing from offenses and being replaced by a third wideout or tight end. He noted that the Eagles played a lot of nickel in 2024 because he felt that was the best way to get their best players on the field. But, Fangio has a sense that things are reverting back a little bit, so there’s a chance that there’s more base defense this year by the Eagles and others around the league.
