Eagles legend gave team a message to live by. Star defender admits: ‘I don’t think we’ve done that’
· Yahoo Sports
PHILADELPHIA — Former Eagles Hall of Fame coach Dick Vermeil delivered an important message to the team when he visited training camp this summer.
Vermeil’s message was simple: The Eagles need all 11 players on both sides of the ball to do their jobs correctly for the team to have success.
Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.
“Dick Vermeil came and talked to us, and it was like 11 guys finishing each play,” Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo told NJ.com on Friday. “I don’t think that we’ve done that to the best of our ability. So that’s ultimately the goal. How can we all 11 do our job at a high level?”
Ojomo’s answer was specifically about the defense’s performance through the first three weeks of the season, which has been underwhelming considering the hype.
The Eagles were considered a top-five defensive unit entering the year, but they have played far below that expectation. They rank 12th in total defense, eighth against the pass, 25th against the run and 16th in points allowed.
According to advanced metrics, the Eagles rank 24th in defensive EPA/play (0.087) and 20th in success rate, which makes the numbers above look even worse.
It’s also concerning that the Eagles have not forced a single turnover and are tied for 28th in the NFL with three sacks.
“We’ve been kind of hot and cold, and I don’t think we’ve put together a full game yet,” Ojomo said. “That’s kind of what we want to do. Just four quarters of intensity, close out the game on defense. We know we can win games on defense here, and that’s got to be our mindset.”
On Monday night, Philadelphia’s defense collapsed in the Eagles’ 27-7 loss to the Chicago Bears. Third-string quarterback Case Keenum, who had not played in an NFL regular-season game since 2023, threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles’ secondary.
Less than a week later, the Eagles will have to put together their best defensive performance of the season to slow down a dangerous Los Angeles Rams offense on Sunday.
“We got a hell of a challenge this week,” Ojomo said. “We got to stop the run, which is the most important thing. Then rush the passer. ... We have a level of intensity about everything you’ve got to do, and it’s a mindset.”
The Eagles have great defensive talent from front to back, but several star players have underperformed or have become less effective due to injuries. Ojomo believes the defensive tackle group has not lived up to its potential so far.
“We’ve done okay, but I think we always want more,” Ojomo said. “I think we want to be the best position group out on that field. That’s not a light task, especially at an organization like this. We’re just pushing. Pushing to be better, pushing to be more productive, more disruptive, really truly lead this team.”
Second-year Eagles players Jihaad Campbell and Drew Mukuba have made big mistakes that have hurt the defense. Campbell and Mukuba are not the only issue, but their lack of consistency have weakened the safety and linebacker positions.
“Ultimately this league is confidence,” Ojomo said. “Everybody in this league most likely has the physical capacities. But are you in the right mental space? So for me, it’s just how much confidence can I give those guys and how much can I just impact on them to [help them] play free, play fast, know what you’re doing and do it a high level.”
Ojomo is still confident the Eagles can finish the 2026 season as one of the NFL’s best defensive units.
After getting off to a slow start in 2024, the Eagles’ defense became an elite unit and helped carry the team to a Super Bowl victory. He thinks the Eagles can have a similar turn around this year.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever seen that photo, the guy digging for diamonds, and he walks away when he’s got one more to hit,” Ojomo said. “That’s the mindset. All I personally know is work and the basics, and that’s what we got to do. We start getting the things we want with the turnovers, the sacks, the production. It’s just keep digging. If you stop digging, you’re never going to get there.”
Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.