The latest news from around the division.
Have the Giants solved their swing-tackle problem? – Ed Valentine, BigBlueView.com
This could be the season that New York resolves some O-line issues.
The best thing that could happen to the New York Giants’ offensive line in 2025 would be for left tackle Andrew Thomas to remain healthy for an entire season, which has not happened since he was a second-team All-Pro in 2022.
Giants’ fans know the history all too well.
In 2023, Thomas suffered a hamstring injury chasing after a blocked field goal at the end of the season’s first drive. He missed seven games, then played much of the rest of the season with a knee injury that limited his effectiveness.
In 2024, the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Thomas suffered the dreaded Lisfranc injury, had surgery and missed the rest of the season.
In neither of those seasons did the Giants have a workable backup plan.
In 2023, they kept 2023 third-round pick Matt Peart as the designated swing tackle, but when they needed a replacement for Thomas refused to use him. Instead, they plugged in Josh Ezeudu, a guard who had failed to win a starting job.
That was a disaster. Ezeudu wasn’t up to the task, and that contributed to the Giants’ offensive line falling apart. Quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a neck injury, then a season-ending knee injury while getting pounded game after game. Giants’ quarterbacks ended up getting sacked a ridiculous league-leading 85 times.
The Giants appear to have finally relented on their insistence that Ezeudu could be an NFL tackle. This offseason, they signed a pair of veteran swing tackles in James Hudson and Stone Forsythe.
“You always have to prepare for the eventualities,” offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo said during mandatory minicamp. “It’s football.”
It was clear during spring practices that the Giants are counting on Hudson to step in if injuries once again befall Thomas. Hudson took almost all of the first-team left tackle reps in the spring as Thomas continued his off the field rehab program.
The 26-year-old Hudson was a fourth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2021. He has played in 49 regular-season games with 17 starts. Hudson has significant experience at both tackle spots. In 2024, he was almost exclusively at left tackle, playing 207 snaps there and just 15 on the right side.
Eagles Cornerback Offers Unique Take On His New Defensive Coordinator -Ed Kracz, Sports Illustrated
An ‘old school’ coordinator is unique for Philly’s newest corner.
PHILADELPHIA – Every Eagles player has their opinion of their defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and the way he conducts practice. ‘Old-school’ is usually the term that comes up, from Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter to Jordan Davis. Adoree Jackson had a unique twist on the DC earlier this month.
“Vic is one of those coaches that just respects hard work,” said the Eagles first-year cornerback. “He might not say much to you. But every now and then, he kind of reminds me how my mom and pops is … It’s not like he never wants to give anyone credit, but he’s like, ‘you’re doing what you’re supposed to do.’ And then when you do something, you might not think it was significant, but he might give you a compliment on that. It’s always just working hard.”
Jackson, who is vying to start with Kelee Ringo, has had several coaches and coordinators in his eight NFL seasons. In his ninth, and with his third team, he says there is a difference with Fangio and others. He has played for the Titans, Giants, and now Eagles.
“A lot of other coaches who are very vocal – as he is, but it’s different,” said Jackson. “Like you understand, if he’s saying something to you, it’s either to correct you or he’s not going to give you a compliment just to give you one, like you really gotta keep working and stacking days to earn that.
“I appreciate that type of coaching style because he’s got the right coaches around him. So if he says something, you can talk to him, but then you’ve got the position coaches to articulate a little bit better for him. They all go hand-in-hand, but being around Vic is pretty cool.”
New Commanders signing compares locker room energy to legendary NFL dynasty – Dean Jones, RiggosRag.com
A championship culture seems to be present in Washington.
The Washington Commanders have installed a championship-caliber mentality across the franchise under the current regime. One recent arrival who was part of the league’s most dominant dynasty sees the similarities.
Dan Quinn is a personable, no-nonsense coach. He’s a genuine leader of men who sets high standards for himself and his players. It’s received an immensely positive response, with the Commanders going from a bottom-feeder to the NFC Championship game in Year 1 under his leadership.
Quinn isn’t letting standards slip. His coaches are relaying that message to the playing personnel. There have been aggressive, impressive changes once again this offseason, but the common goal remains the same.
Put the hard yards in now, and you’ll benefit later.
Deatrich Wise Jr. came through the ranks under Bill Belichick during his eight-year stint with the New England Patriots. The defensive end believes the Commanders have created a similar environment to flourish, which focuses heavily on practicing well to ensure they are ready for anything when competitive action arrives.
“But also one of the things Bill [Belichick] always said was ‘practice execution becomes game reality.’ That’s one thing I’ve always taken to heart. Practice as hard as I can and exactly how I want the game to be. That’s what makes great teams great. And I feel like that’s the first two things I heard being talked about when I got to the Commanders by Coach [Joe] Whitt [Jr.] [defensive coordinator, and also by Coach DQ [Quinn]. They both was like, ‘We have to be able to practice the same way we want to have happen in the game.’ So they’re echoing success every single day that we’re in that building.”
