Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Struggles Spotlight Bryce Huff and Nolan Smith
With the season in full swing, the defensive lineup of the Philadelphia Eagles has come under scrutiny. Much of the focus has landed on Bryce Huff, who secured a three-year, $51 million contract this offseason and was cemented as a starter by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. However, through the first two games, the results have been less than stellar for both Huff and the team as a whole.
Huff's limited production has been a talking point among analysts and fans alike. Despite playing 59 snaps, he has managed just two pressures, translating to a pressure rate of 6.7%. More notably, he has yet to record a sack or a quarterback hit. This performance stands in stark contrast to his off-season contract, and Fangio has been quick to acknowledge the concerns. "He's still going to be the starter. But we're mixing those guys in, as I know you know, and we'll continue to do that," Fangio stated, indicating that while Huff retains his starter position, there will be rotations to bolster the defensive effectiveness.
In comparison, Nolan Smith has shown more effectiveness in applying pressure. The young pass rusher has accumulated three pressures with a pressure rate of 13.6% over the same period. Yet, similar to Huff, Smith has not registered a sack or quarterback hit. Fangio, however, sees progression in Smith's development: "I think Nolan has come a ways since his rookie year. I think he's playing better on the edge than he was last year, all around."
Indeed, the issues facing the Eagles' defense extend beyond individual performances. The team currently ranks 31st in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (6.4) and 29th in 10+ yard rushes allowed (11). Fangio has identified the need for a collective improvement, particularly in run defense. "I think when you talk production, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're talking sacks and pressures and stuff, and until we do a better job of playing the run, those aren't coming. That's for sure. We all have to do a better job, starting with me, of playing the run better," Fangio admitted.
The team's defensive struggles have not dampened the optimism within the locker room. Rookie third-round pick Jalyx Hunt epitomizes this belief. Despite the challenging start, Hunt sees potential in the team’s mix of veteran experience and young talent. "It's everybody's second game of the season. We're learning to gel. I'm not worried about it at all. You see spurts of it in moments, so once we get to the point where that's the whole game, I think we're going to be fine," Hunt said, emphasizing the process of molding a cohesive unit.
The defensive unit is, indeed, a blend of seasoned veterans and promising rookies. Fangio’s strategy has heavily focused on fundamentals and fostering consistent performance. This balanced approach is intended to leverage the experienced players' wisdom while nurturing the potential of newcomers. "He's still learning how to play the total game and not just rush situations. But he's working hard at it, and we're going to stick with him," Fangio noted about Huff, stressing the learning curve and effort involved in mastering defensive duties.
Hunt, in particular, has expressed a mature perspective on his role and future contributions to the team. "One thing I would hate to do is to wish my time to come faster then I'm not where I need to be. But my time will come and when I have the opportunity, I feel like I'm going to rise to the occasion," he remarked. Hunt's commitment to improvement is evident as he takes advantage of mentoring from experienced teammates. "I'm working hard every day, getting extra time in with the coaches and what not, BG [Brandon Graham], Bryce [Huff], anybody I have access to," he said.
As the Eagles forge ahead, the defensive unit’s ability to improve its effectiveness against both the run and the pass will be critical. With Fangio's strategic direction and the players' determination, there remains hope that the unit can find its footing and elevate its performance as the season progresses. For now, the focus remains on refining the fundamentals, fostering growth, and translating potential into consistent production on the field.