Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

In Vic We Trust

Posted June 3rd, 2025 | 2 Comments »

The Eagles were thrilled when they were able to hire Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator a year ago. He led the defense to the #1 ranking and helped the team win Super Bowl LIX in dominant fashion.

The success wasn’t just based on X’s and O’s. Fangio showed a good feel for personnel. He had the idea to turn Zack Baun into an ILB. Fangio embraced his rookie defenders. He put Quinyon Mitchell into the starting lineup immediately. He got Cooper DeJean on the field as soon as he was healthy and ready. Fangio worked Jalyx Hunt in during the season and had him ready for a key role in the playoffs. He got the most out of role players like Isaiah Rodgers and Oren Burks, with each guy having to fill in due to injuries.

Fangio doesn’t BS anyone. He’s candid about players. He compliments them when possible. When there aren’t good things to say, he will talk about their issues or at least make it clear they aren’t getting the job done. You don’t have to guess much with Fangio. That’s what made his comments on Tuesday so interesting.

Fangio had a lot of praise for Jordan Davis. He seemed genuinely excited about his young NT. Fangio talked about Davis being in the best shape of his life. I’m sure many of you will roll your eyes because we hear stuff like this so much, but that’s where Fangio is different. He doesn’t throw around platitudes like that carelessly.

Fangio talked about how Davis played better down the stretch last year. He said Davis started practicing better and that carried over to games. You could say the light went on for Davis.

This could be great news for Fangio and the defense. Davis has a high ceiling. He’s not come close to reaching it so far and that has left some people doubting if he ever will. This offseason does feel different.

That doesn’t look like the Davis we are used to seeing. If he can truly build off his improved play from late last year, Davis could be more than just a good run-stuffer. He might have real value this season. When Fangio was asked why it took so long for Davis to get in good shape (middle of 2024), Fangio said “I’m going to duck the question.” That answer told you it was Davis simply not doing what needed to be done. For now, that’s in the past.

Someone asked Fangio about all the changes on defense. He made a great point, something that I alluded to the other day. There were a lot of questions for the defense at this time last year. Aside from Bryce Huff, the Eagles got mainly good answers to those questions.

Fangio has the right mindset for the current NFL. You have to embrace change. You have to embrace young/new players. You can’t obsess on veterans. Get talented players, coach them up and see what happens.

It isn’t likely that the Eagles will get as many good answers this year. Mitchell and DeJean went from questions to being two of the best DBs in the league. Baun went from question to being an All Pro LB. That’s how you go from an awful defense in 2023 to the best in 2024. It will be interesting to see how things play out this season. There is still a lot of talent for Fangio to work with.

*****

Fangio said Nakobe Dean wouldn’t be back “anytime soon”. He said he is working with Jihad Campbell on some special drills that the rookie is able to do. Campbell won’t be on the practice field until August. He will have a chance to start. Jeremiah Trotter Jr is the most likely guy for now, but Fangio trusts talent and Campbell has the lead in that category.

*****

We got an update on the Huff trade.

We’ll eventually find out the conditions. The Eagles are now projected to have 13 picks next April. That’s crazy. And exciting. Very exciting.

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2 Comments on “In Vic We Trust”

  1. 1 Eagles News: Jordan Davis said he “fell in love with Peloton” - SportSourcio said at 11:02 AM on June 4th, 2025:

    […] In Vic We Trust – Iggles Blitz […]

  2. 2 The Linc – Over View – Your Daily News Source said at 3:32 PM on June 4th, 2025:

    […] In Vic We Trust – Iggles BlitzFangio had a lot of praise for Jordan Davis. He seemed genuinely excited about his young NT. Fangio talked about Davis being in the best shape of his life. I’m sure many of you will roll your eyes because we hear stuff like this so much, but that’s where Fangio is different. He doesn’t throw around platitudes like that carelessly. Fangio talked about how Davis played better down the stretch last year. He said Davis started practicing better and that carried over to games. You could say the light went on for Davis. This could be great news for Fangio and the defense. Davis has a high ceiling. He’s not come close to reaching it so far and that has left some people doubting if he ever will. This offseason does feel different. […] That doesn’t look like the Davis we are used to seeing. If he can truly build off his improved play from late last year, Davis could be more than just a good run-stuffer. He might have real value this season. When Fangio was asked why it took so long for Davis to get in good shape (middle of 2024), Fangio said “I’m going to duck the question.” That answer told you it was Davis simply not doing what needed to be done. For now, that’s in the past. […]