Nick Sirianni has been steadfast in his belief that less is more when it comes to exercise. In his first three years as head coach, the Eagles spent less time on the practice field than any other team. Probably any other team ever.
Bootcamp sessions are almost always less than 90 minutes. Vacation days are frequent. Players spend more time in meetings and studying film and less time under the blazing sun hour after hour.
It’s a new-age approach to the NFL, and it’s largely worked. The Eagles are 34-17 under Sirianni, 5y– The best record in the NFL since 2021, and they are one of just six teams to reach the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.
Vic Fangio? It’s as old school as they come. Training began in the culmination of two-day full-speed goal-line drills and endless training camps on remote college campuses.
How will these opposing philosophies intertwine? It is one of the most interesting things to keep an eye on this summer.
When Fangio met with the media last week, he didn’t say much on the subject, but he said enough to know that he wants the Eagles to practice longer and harder than they have the past few years.
“You have to make do with what you have,” he said. “But I keep pushing for more. …Within reason. I’m not suggesting we go away for two days and do…what’s up, North Dallas Forte?”
Last summer, during the 17-day period from the start of training camp to their first preseason game, the Eagles held nine practices, five walk-ins and three days off. Sirianni values the guidance as much as he values the practices because the Eagles can make more plays at the same time while staying in compliance with CBA rules. Once the Eagles get into November or so, Thursday practice is usually replaced with walk-throughs.
It’s difficult to connect the Eagles’ collapse late last season to Sirianni’s training camp and his operating philosophy. The Eagles went the same way the year before and went to the Super Bowl.
But it’s also hard to imagine that Sirianni won’t at least compromise with Fangio and take some measures to keep players on the field longer and give his new defensive coordinator more time to work with his group.
Fangio said he believes athletes are coddled at a young age rather than pushed, but he said his experience is that if you push them and work them hard, they will respond.
He said: “People do not expect as much from the players as we expected.” “These players will work and give you everything they have within reason. It starts at a young age, when they’re in high school or college or whatever — less is more, keep your energy up. You guys hear in the NBA (about) load management I’ve talked to coaches from other sports I know, and it drives them crazy.
“The players are willing to work. I didn’t have a problem with that. And they’re still willing to work. But we as adults in the room need to push them.
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