The Eagles were back on the field this week preparing for their first preseason game of 2025, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to reporters on Monday about player development, the CB room, and depth at EDGE.
He also acknowledged that preseason games are some of the only ways to get full evaluations of players, especially with tackling and getting after quarterbacks.
“You need full speed action to really tell. I mean out in practice, nobody’s getting tackled. You don’t know if you made the tackle or missed it. We’re not finishing on the quarterback. We’re trying to stay away from him. We need games.”
Here’s what the DC had to say:
On the CB room
Fangio agreed that CB Eli Ricks has made some good plays the last few days, but notes he still needs to eliminate the negative ones, too. Still, the DC said Ricks is working hard to correct his mistakes and sees definite improvement from last year to this year. He also acknowledged that they still have to evaluate Ricks’ physicality, especially as a smaller corner.
“[Eli Ricks] hadn’t played enough yet to know [if he can hold up playing the run], but he’s going to get a bunch of snaps in the preseason and hopefully that will show itself, but he’s played good football in college.”
He also talked a little about CB Adoree’ Jackson.
“It’s been good. I think Adoree’ has had a good camp. I think he’s competing well. I think he’s focused with a good mindset and I like where he is at right now.”
Fangio said that the competition between Jackson and CB Kelee Ringo is close, noting they’ve both been having a good camp and he’s happy with both of the players.
The DC doesn’t think tackling will be an issue for Ringo as they prepare for the preseason, explaining that he’s been a good special teams player up to this point, so that isn’t a concern.
On Cooper DeJean’s versatility
Fangio talked last week about wanting to use second-year DB Cooper DeJean at safety in their base package this season, and after some reps, the DC is more convinced than ever that he can step into that role.
“Just like I thought [Cooper DeJean] can be a good safety. Just the other day we had a route that we struggled with last year in games to pick up and he did it like he’d been a safety his whole life. So yeah, he’ll be a good safety if we need him there.”
Without giving away anything for the preseason, Fangio said that getting DeJean some game reps at safety is a possibility.
The DC admitted that they’ve probably put a little too much on the rookie’s plate, but the time is coming and days are disappearing. It’s hard to evaluate how Campbell is handling it all because of the limited practice time and reps, as they manage the fine line between keeping guys healthy and getting guys prepared.
As for Campbell at EDGE, Fangio admits that they haven’t prioritized coaching him up at that position just yet.
“Yeah, [Jihaad Campbell] needs a lot of work at it. Again, that’s going back to the previous question that’s adding things to his plate right now and in defense of him, he hadn’t been coached up enough to be on the edge and play the way we want to play. So part of that’s him being overloaded, part of that’s us not getting him ready, which is just a product of lack of time and lack of reps.”
On the EDGE depth
Fangio talked about Ogbo Okoronkwo, who he said is definitely a guy who has been a defensive end most of his career. In Philly, they ask Ogbo and Ochaun Mathis to drop a little but and play a little differently than they were accustomed too. They’ve had to not only make adjustments from a mental standpoint, but also in their techniques.
“But overall [Ogbo Okoronkwo]’s doing good. Same thing with [Ochaun] Mathis. I think he’s a big strong guy who’s got some pop to him and hopefully we can develop his all around game to where he can be a player.”
The DC also talked about two of the newer outside linebackers, Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari, and mentioned how it’s about learning the nuances of the defense.
“I think Josh [Uche] has had some good practices here of late, he’s flashed and had some really good plays. Like a lot of the guys that are new, he just needs to eliminate the negative plays and the negative plays aren’t something that you guys may see or know. It’s just reacting and covering and the way we want to play the run. The nuances of the defense. He has to master those, but overall he’s had a good camp and I see him getting better each and every day and the same thing with Azeez [Ojulari].”
On rookie LB Smael Mondon
“Good stuff. [Smael Mondon] is having a good camp. He is progressing well. The ILB position has a lot on their plate and he’s sorting through that, but I think he’s making good natural progress at all that.”
Other notables
- Fangio does not expect rookie safety Andrew Mukuba to be available in Thursday’s first preseason game.
- The DC said rookie DT Ty Robinson is making good progress, and doesn’t think he’ll have any issues picking up the defense in the long run. He just wants to see Robinson be a little more active and more decisive in his play – which all comes with more reps.
- He mentioned that safeties Sydney Brown and Tristin McCollum are making really good progress. Specifically, Fangio points to Brown needing to polish up his operation and just recognize things a little quicker – something he says will take the safety’s game to the next level –, and said McCollum needs to eliminate his negative plays and to be more consistent.
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