Changing of the corner (again): Vic Fangio hints at another CB switch

This story originally appeared on Inside The Birds

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles’ defense has done quite a bit of heavy lifting throughout the first five weeks of the season, particularly in the red zone, largely atoning for its shortcomings offensively.

For perspective, in games against the Buccaneers and Broncos, the defense was on the field for 72 and 74 snaps, respectively, and generally provided stout, swarming play. But for the past five quarters of Eagles football, Vic Fangio’s group hasn’t been able to keep things afloat, bogged down by tackling woes, untimely penalties and coverage lapses.

The proverbial dam began leaking in the fourth quarter against the Broncos but broke entirely against the Giants, allowing 98 rushing yards and three touchdowns to running back Cam Skattebo and a combined 253 yards from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who was making his third NFL start.

There are several reasons for the recent breakdowns, but as the leader presiding over the unit, Fangio wore the loss:

“I didn’t coach them up well enough,” he said Tuesday. “My calls weren’t good enough and we had trouble with them.”

Things won’t necessarily get any easier this week for the Eagles, however, who travel to Minnesota to take on a Vikings offense fueled by wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison along with tight end T.J. Hockenson.

In the aftermath of Thursday’s 34-17 loss, here are some of my pertinent takeaways from Fangio’s Tuesday availability.

Tentative Changes At No. 2 Cornerback

It took a couple games, but offenses began attacking whichever side of the field Kelee Ringo happened to be on. Ringo, making his third start of the season against the Giants, was targeted five times, allowing four receptions for 73 yards. He was also penalized twice.

Ringo was victimized on the Giants’ first two offensive series, surrendering a 34-yard jump ball on a 3rd-and-12 to wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and on the ensuing drive, allowing a 26-yard reception to Wan’Dale Robinson. On the latter, Robinson fell to the MetLife turf during the play before rising to his feet to pick up extra yards. Ringo never touched him down.

Early in the game, veteran Adoree’ Jackson was inserted in Ringo’s place but the third-year cornerback returned to the lineup out of necessity, when Quinyon Mitchell left the game with a hamstring injury. Should Mitchell be available Sunday, would Fangio call upon Jackson or Ringo for No. 2 cornerback?

“Right now, it probably would be Adoree’, the way we’re gonna do it in a game,” Fangio said. “And then when Q went down, we played ’em both.”

Fangio later said that it “remains to be seen” whether or not Mitchell will be available Sunday in Minnesota. That process begins Wednesday, when the Eagles return to the practice field. If Mitchell can’t go, that could mean Jackson and Ringo on the outside against the Vikings’ formidable receiving tandem of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

While the cornerback situation leading into Week 7 is hardly ideal, Fangio believes in the players currently in-house to stabilize the position, though dependability and consistency will be determining factors.

“We’ve gotta settle in and find somebody out there that we can rely on,” he said. “And I think we have the guys that could do that, we just gotta get ’em playing better.”

Of course, exploring all scenarios, the optiona to fortify the outside in the short term also potentially extends to nickel Cooper DeJean. While Fangio has repeatedly mentioned his preference of deploying DeJean inside, a dire circumstance might constitute a deviation.

In that scenario, that would put DeJean and Jackson outside and either veteran Parry Nickerson or rookie Mac McWilliams to man the nickel position. McWilliams, Fangio said, had been exclusively focusing on playing nickel but has recently cross-trained outside.

A Veteran Pass Rusher Steps Away; Who Steps Up?

On Monday morning, the Eagles’ pass rush took another hit, as veteran Za’Darius Smith stunningly announced his retirement on Instagram. The news not only sent relative shockwaves throughout the NFL, but also to Fangio himself, who said didn’t sense the news coming.

“No, I didn’t,” he said. “I was surprised when Howie [Roseman] came in and told me, yesterday I guess it was. But you always respect the guy’s decisions, personal decisions. Guy had a great career, did fine when he was here with us. He was good to be around, and wish him the best. It takes strength to do that, and [I] respect it.”

In light of missing Smith, who led the team with 1.5 sacks, the room has dwindled to Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari and Patrick Johnson, who now becomes the only edge rusher with a sack (1.0). Nolan Smith, who headlines the group, was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 24 and is expended to return sometime after the Eagles’ Week 9 bye. Ogbo Okoronkwo (triceps) is out for the season.

So, short on numbers, how will Fangio go about filling another void at the position?

“We’ll have to absorb the snaps with the rest of the guys, and we’ll make it work,” he said.

Fangio has been consistent in his assessment of his pass rush contingent, even if the outside remains skeptical. Just a few weeks ago, Fangio endorsed the group, saying he believed they had enough to get the job done. He didn’t move off that sentiment Tuesday, either, doubling down on his stance.

“I think you always want more at any position,” he said. “But we have guys in the building who can fulfill it.”

Nakobe Dean returned to the lineup last week. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)

 

An In-House Solution For The Pass Rush?

Fresh off the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, fourth-year linebacker Nakobe Dean logged six special teams snaps in his season debut. While that was due in large part to the necessary acclimation period after not having played in a game since January, it’s hard not to wonder if his role will grow in the coming weeks, particularly given the team’s current state at edge rusher.

The conundrum, if you will, had been that Zack Baun and rookie Jihaad Campbell have been providing dynamic second-level play. For someone like Campbell, who continues to exhibit notable signs of development each week, a reduced role would likely shortchange his progression. And Baun never leaves the field.

So, what gives?

Out of necessity, and in a ploy to get the best talent on the field, Fangio for the first time this season entertained the possibility of deploying Campbell more off the edge to account for some of the vacant snaps.

“It’s possible,” he said. “He’s been getting edge snaps in certain ways we align.”

Circumstances tend to alter plans, and there would appear to be a chance Dean sees the field on defense this week for the first time since the Eagles’ wild card matchup against the Packers, which could unlock the versatility of Campbell.