New Orleans – He once approached the Lombardi Trophy, but now, in the twilight of a stunning football life, Vic Fangio is approaching it once more.
The long, winding road that began as a linebacker coach at Dunmore (Pennsylvania) High School in 1979 was a superdome when 66-year-old Fungio reached the university and USFL, and nine NFL teams. stops inside. Again for that elusive Super Bowl ring.
As the Eagles defensive coordinator, all he has to do is to stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chief from the historic three-peat.
Fungio couldn't beat Mahomes in his three seasons as the Broncos head coach, but overall he's 0-8, but no one lost his sleep around the Eagles.
Fungio is a godsend that coordinated the league's first defense in his first season under Nick Silianni.
“I'm sure everyone had an old-fashioned coach who was physically smart and had no choice but to put up with anything but fast,” said Safety Lead Blankenship. “At the end of the day, he was me We know we can coach them hard, and we're going to play hard for him.”
Fungio's old school style was not well received in Miami last season, but he is welcomed with arms crossed by the young Eagles defender.
“He wants your best from every game, every snap. I love it. I love it about coaches,” emerging Nolan Smith said.
Talk about tough love.
“He calls out everyone,” Smith said. “Everyone is asked to do more, and if you're lazy in this play, he'll let me know.”
Imitation is a sincere form of flattery. The Eagles defender likes to imitate Fungio.
“He's old and in a bad mood,” Josh Sweatt said. And we got a commonality – we both lost it [laugh]. ”
Fungio lost the 2013 Super Bowl to the Ravens while in San Francisco as Jim Harbaugh's DC.
Fungio vs Mahomes and Andy Reid are Grandmaster Chess.
“When he starts scrambling, we have to be able to protect,” Fungio said. “Hopefully we can keep him there well.”
Fungio's extensive knowledge and experience make him a dangerous enemy.
“He's a hard guy,” Zach Bounn said. “He shoots it straight and he will let you know if you are right, if you are wrong – mostly if you are wrong. But I will learn a lot from him. I was able to pay attention to detail as a player. It was really cool to work with Vic.”
Mahomes expects unexpected things from Fungio.
“You want to stand up to the best,” Mahomes said, “and he's one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL.”
Fangio will adapt not only to his players but also to his defensive coordinator. How well he adapts to Mahomes will go a long way in determining whether he has 3 peats or not.
