Haason Reddick Speaks Out About Eagles Defensive Woes
This season, the linebacker from Philadelphia has been exceptional.
After making defensive adjustments recently, the Philadelphia Eagles are in a risky situation as the postseason draws near.
Two devastating losses in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter have befallen the Eagles since Matt Patricia took over as defensive play-caller before Week 15. The team has been 1-2 since that time.
Reddick said of the Eagles’ defensive adjustments, “It’s hard.”
While battling sickness recently, linebacker Haason Reddick is back to full strength and frankly stated, “It’s a hard thing to do,” about the difficulties of adjusting to coaching changes in the middle of the season. “Ultimately, it’s our work; therefore, there shouldn’t be any grievances. However, you can see that it’s undoubtedly difficult.”
Reddick said, “You try to acquire everything he expects us to do, spending a lot of time with one DC—and learning a new DC, at that, at the start of the year. His wording. His method of making calls. At the end of the season, we make a changeover thereafter. However, as I mentioned before, everything has to be completed at the end.”
Reddick stressed that the players still had an obligation to give it their all despite the challenges.
“We switched coordinators. That’s essentially the only difference—they have a distinct style and approach to things. Patricia has been inside now. He likes things to be done in a specific way. As we move forward, we’re trying our best to get everyone on the same page and adjust to that in the time that we have available. We can then win the playoffs and be very successful.”
The eagles must act swiftly to make things right.
Reddick is still a vital member of the Eagles’ defense, coming into 2023 with a career-high 13.5 sacks. The Eagles had just finished a 1-2 run in which they had given up 33 points or more in three straight games before deciding to change the defensive play-calling.
Although Matt Patricia’s impact seemed promising at first, later games exposed defensive flaws. Questions concerning the efficacy of the defensive coordinator move were raised after the Eagles gave up 35 scores and 449 yards in an unexpected defeat to the Cardinals.
The Eagles’ drop from a 10-1 record to 10-5 may be attributed in large part to their defensive woes, even with Reddick’s outstanding play and nomination to the Pro Bowl.
With their positions in points and yards allowed at 29th and 23rd, respectively, going into the last week of the regular season, the Eagles will have a difficult time getting back on track for the playoffs.
In addition to affecting the team’s performance, the defensive adjustments were made in front of Jonathan Gannon, the former defensive coordinator who is currently the Cardinal’s head coach.
In a difficult postseason environment, the Eagles must quickly resolve their defensive problems if they are to retain their playoff hopes.
