The ‘old and grumpy’ Eagle who is tasked with slowing down Patrick Mahomes

The ‘old and grumpy’ Eagle who is tasked with slowing down Patrick Mahomes

NEW ORLEANS — He has been this close to the Lombardi Trophy once, and now, in the twilight of an admirable football life, Vic Fangio is this close to it again.

A long and winding road that began in 1979 as linebackers coach at Dunmore (Pa.) High School, that included stops in college and the USFL and on nine NFL teams, makes a stop inside the Superdome, when Fangio, 66 years young, reaches again for that elusive Super Bowl ring.

All he has to do, as Eagles defensive coordinator, is prevent Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs from an historic three-peat.

Vic Fangio looks on before the Eagles’ blowout home win over the Cowboys on Dec. 29, 2024. AP

Fangio couldn’t beat Mahomes during his three seasons as Broncos head coach, is 0-8 against him overall, and yet no one in and around the Eagles is losing any sleep over it.

Fangio is the godsend who has orchestrated the league’s No. 1 defense in his first season under Nick Sirianni.

“I’m sure that everybody’s had that old-school kinda coach that doesn’t put up with anything other than being physical, being smart, and being fast, and he’s one of those guys, and that’s what we kinda bought into,” safety Reed Blankenship said. “At the end of the day, he knows he can coach us hard and we’re gonna play hard for him.”

Fangio’s old-school style wasn’t received well in Miami last season, but he has been welcomed with open arms by the young Eagles defenders.

“He wants your best from you every game, every snap, and I love that, I love that about coaches,” the emerging Nolan Smith said.

Talk about tough love.

Vic Fangio speaks with the media during a press conference at Hilton New Orleans Riverside. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

“He calls everybody out,” Smith said. “Everybody gets demanded to do more, or if you’re slacking off on this play, he’s gonna let you know.”

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery: Eagles defenders like to do imitations of Fangio.

“He’s old and grumpy,” Josh Sweat said, “but I can tell he’s deep down having a great time, so we gotta finish it. And we got something in common — we both lost one [laugh].”

Fangio lost the 2013 Super Bowl to the Ravens when he was Jim Harbaugh’s DC in San Francisco.

Vic Fangio looks on before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. AP

Fangio versus Mahomes and Andy Reid is grandmaster chess.

“We gotta be able to defend when he starts scrambling,” Fangio said. “Hopefully, we can keep him in there enough.”

Fangio’s wealth of knowledge and experience makes him a dangerous foe.

“He’s a hard-nosed guy,” Zack Baun said. “He shoots it straight and he lets you know if you’re right or if you’re wrong — mostly if you’re wrong. But I’ve been able to learn a lot from him, schematically as a player, attention to detail. It’s been really cool to work with Vic.”

Mahomes is expecting the unexpected from Fangio, as well he should.

“You want to go up against the best,” Mahomes said, “and he’s one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL.”

Fangio adapts to his players as well as any defensive coordinator. How well he adapts to Mahomes will go a long way in determining whether there will be a three-peat.

Related Posts

NFL breaks silence on ᴅᴇᴀᴅly shooting at league HQ in New York that killed four and left staffer hospitalized

NFL breaks silence on ᴅᴇᴀᴅly shooting at league HQ in New York that killed four and left staffer hospitalized

The NFL has given its first public statement on the mᴀss shooting which claimed the lives of four people at the building which houses its New York…

Kansas City Chiefs sign Kwamie Lᴀssiter II amid wide receiver injury crisis in training camp

Kansas City Chiefs sign Kwamie Lᴀssiter II amid wide receiver injury crisis in training camp

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed wide receiver Kwamie Lᴀssiter II to bolster their depth chart amid injuries to a number of key players ahead of the…

Patriots owner Robert Kraft slams ‘hate’ in America as he addresses ‘mentally ill’ Manhattan shooter

Patriots owner Robert Kraft slams ‘hate’ in America as he addresses ‘mentally ill’ Manhattan shooter

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has opened up about hate in America while discussing the shooter who killed four people and himself at the league’s Manhattan…

NFL running back returning from a broken neck is ruthlessly cut by his team

NFL running back returning from a broken neck is ruthlessly cut by his team

Despite just recently coming back to training camp after fully recovering from a neck injury that ended his previous season, one running back found himself on the…

Chiefs lose Xavier Worthy to concussion protocol after training camp collision, coach Andy Reid reveals

Chiefs lose Xavier Worthy to concussion protocol after training camp collision, coach Andy Reid reveals

The Kansas City Chiefs are already facing a major injury crisis at a key position heading into the 2025 NFL season. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy left Tuesday’s…

Miami Dolphins hit with another devastating injury blow with plans for 2025 season in turmoil

Miami Dolphins hit with another devastating injury blow with plans for 2025 season in turmoil

Miami Dolphins star cornerback Kader Kohou is out for the season after suffering a knee injury during Saturday’s training-camp practice.  Kohou’s injury, as he is viewed as…