Vic Fangio isn’t holding back after the Eagles’ Week 1 win, admitting he’s “disappointed” in three specific scoring drives that plagued the defense against the Commanders. You’d think after a victory, a coach might soften the blow, but Fangio kept it real on Tuesday, saying the defense “could have played a little better in some of those instances” and called it “frustrating.” That’s the kind of honesty you want, even if it stings a bit.
Fourth Quarter Woes And DeJean’s Vision Check
Look, giving up points is always a bummer, but Fangio specifically called out those final two drives in the fourth quarter. He flat out said the defense “just didn’t play well enough” when it mattered most. The opposing quarterback scrambling? That apparently “hurt us some” and for sure, “it wasn’t good the last couple.” Ouch. It sounds like they let their foot off the gas, and that’s not a recipe for sustained success. Rookie Cooper DeJean even had post-game comments about his “eyes get bad” and how that impacts him, and Fangio agreed it happens. While that vision quality has helped DeJean before, the DC was clear: “[Cooper DeJean]‘s just got to make sure he can stay tight enough to his assignment and not let his vision get too skewed to where he gets out of position.” It’s all about focus, man.
Ojomo’s Instincts Shine, Carter’s Reps Analyzed
Amidst the frustration, one dude absolutely balled out: Moro Ojomo. Fangio gave him all the credit for sniffing out a play the Commanders hadn’t even shown on film before the game. That’s next-level awareness! Ojomo “saw the guard pull, so he immediately tried to cross the guy that was trying to block him, which he did successfully and made the play.” That’s a huge individual effort, a “big play” late in the game, showing he had “the energy and the wherewithal” to make it happen. Fangio praised Ojomo’s “good instincts,” “great effort,” and being “tenacious.” Now, about Jalen Carter’s conditioning? Fangio kept it brief, saying “It wasn’t terrible.” He noted Carter had “a lot of reps,” but a “good bit of them came the last drive of the first half and then those last two drives,” implying the earlier, “shorter in duration” drives made playing those reps “a little easier.” Not a ringing endorsement, but not a disaster either.
The Eagles defense has some real work ahead to tighten things up before they face Cam Ward and the Titans in Week 2. Fangio was super complimentary of Ward, calling the quarterback athletic, mobile, and possessing “very good arm talent.” He thinks Ward is “progressing well” and will keep improving in Tennessee’s offense. Plus, new Titans OC Brian Daboll “does a good job of calling the game” with a “good run-pass mix.” It’s going to be a tough test, and the Eagles need to make sure those “frustrating” drives don’t become a habit.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
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