The head coach of Philadelphia, Nick Sirianni, is not ashamed that he eliminated his best player because…
On Monday afternoon, Nick Sirianni verified that Matt Patricia will continue to serve as the Eagles’ de facto defensive coordinator and playcaller.
It’s not like he really has a choice right now.
Patricia may even be less knowledgeable than Desai.
Sirianni stated on Monday that he doesn’t regret the choice despite all of that.
Not at all. I don’t, Sirianni replied. “Again, the team and what’s best for the team come first in everything I do and every decision I make.
You know, I still think that the changes I made a few weeks ago were the best thing for the team. I tried to do that. We changed a few things.
After a game like that, nobody will be happy with anything that transpires.
However, I have faith in the players that represent us. I have faith in the defensive coaches that we have.
“And so, no, once more, I try to make the best decisions for the team, and I think that adjustment was necessary, and that’s where we are at the moment.”
Although he might, Sirianni doesn’t seem to regret the decision.
Because of this, the decision to switch defensive coordinators was driven by desperation rather than urgency. The Eagles are now stuck with two ineffective defensive coordinators riding out the requisite playoff run that is probably going to end in disappointment: a play-caller who isn’t even calling his own defense, players who haven’t been able to adjust, and a similarly bad defense.
The issue with using Desai as a scapegoat is that nothing has changed in terms of the outcome. Right now, there isn’t anything more to do.
All the Eagles can do is hope and pray that their defense improves. And perhaps it will. On that side of the ball, they do have some talent, and Zach Cunningham and Darius Slay ought to be back for the postseason.
However, as we approach Week 18 and the Eagles are coming off their worst defeat since the Sirianni Era, we’re also discussing this.
The Eagles’ defense climbing out of terrible territory is the best they can realistically hope for.
Following the Eagles’ devastating 35-31 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday night, Sirianni brought up the fact that Patricia’s defense had shown promise in the team’s first two games.
Yes?
The Eagles faced backup quarterbacks in those two games and finished 1-1 against the Giants and Seahawks. They were defeated by Drew Lock in Seattle, and last week they narrowly defeated Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito combined.
against Kyler Murray, a competent but far from outstanding quarterback? In the second half, the Cardinals’ rushing attack led by Murray proved to be too strong for the Eagles, even in the absence of their best wide receiver.
Under Desai, the Eagles gave up 24.7 points per game in 13 games. Under Patricia, they have given up 26.7 points per game in three contests.
However, during a game, Desai appeared to be able to adjust only one thing.
His defense was much better in the second half than the first, pitching second-half shutouts against the Chiefs and the Rams. Desai’s defense allowed 180 points before halftime, but only 141 after.
For Patricia, it’s been the exact opposite. In the last three games, his defense has only given up 12 points in the first half but an incredible 68 points after the break.
The Cardinals’ 29 second-half points against the Eagles on Sunday marked a new low for the team, as they had not scored more than 29 points in a game all season.
Moreover, this defense is ultimately insufficient.
In the wake of this late-season collapse, many have questioned Sirianni’s future, but it seems improbable that the Eagles would move on. In all three of Sirianni’s seasons, the Eagles have advanced to the postseason and finished in the Super Bowl the previous year.
However, one thing is certain:. After this season, the Eagles will need to hire a new defensive coordinator. Perhaps that is the most significant hire Sirianni has ever made.
