DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 08: Bryce Huff #47 of the New York Jets reacts after being called for a penalty in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on October 08, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.
The big concern when the Eagles signed Bryce Huff early in the off-season was the fact he had never been an every-down player. He played fewer than 50% of the snaps with the Jets. He was one of the most efficient pass rushers in the league in those limited snaps, with a pass rush win rate of 22%, tied for 6th in the league. But it will be a different test doing it as the main guy on the team.
What kept him off the field was run-downs. The Jets hardly used him on potential run-downs, and he was not effective in those limited snaps. Now that he is being paid like a top Edge Rusher though, the expectation is that he will improve there.
Does his new DC, Vic Fangio think that will happen? Here is what he had to say on Thursday.
“Everybody thought he could… He is taking the challenge on very well. He has the talent to do what we want him to do, he just has to get familiar with doing it. Does it look like he could do it today? No. But I do think eventually he will.”
What To Take From Fangio’s Comments About Bryce Huff
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Fangio is refreshingly honest. He will tell you what he thinks, for better or worse. It is why when he says Jordan Davis looks great, you believe him. but it also means if he doesnt think Bryce Huff is ready yet, you beleive him.
He did also say that he thinks Huff will get there, and that he has all he talent he needs. So I don’t think we should take the part about not being able to do it today out of context. It does tell us our concerns were at least somewhat justified though.
The Eagles have no sure thing at Edge Rusher. They traded the one guy you could count on, Haason Reddick, away. His continued contract disputes with the Jets may justify that trade, but that doesn’t change the fact they will miss his consistent production. Reddick had double digits sacks in the last 4 straight seasons. The Eagles current Edge rush room doesnt even have a combined 4 double digit sack seasons.
Huff has never done it as an everyday player. Sweat has only ever done it over a full season once. brandon Graham is on his last legs. And Nolan Smith flat out has never done it, in the pros or in College.
The Eagles edge rush room is all upside, but with loads of question marks. Huff is question number 1. They need him to replicate what Reddick gave them. As Fangio said, he has the talent. Wheter or not he can do it, and do it with an increased snap count, we won’t know that until the games start counting.
Dylan MacKinnon is The Digital Content Coordinator For 97.5 The Fanatic. he has been an Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Flyers fan his whole life. He graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors in Journalism. Dylan has worked at the Fanatic since 2016, starting as an Intern, moving to the Street team, and eventually was hired as an Associate Producer before settling into his current role in the Digital Department. You may hear him referred to on-air as "The D-Train."
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