Dolphins defensive coordinator, Philadelphia native Vic Fangio talks Eagles matchup, Jalen Ramsey and more

MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio grew up in Philadelphia as a diehard Eagles and Phillies fan.

He recalls hiding a transistor radio in his bed to listen to Byrum Saam and Richie Ashburn on the late-night call of Phillies games when they were on the West Coast.

His first job in professional football was there, in the USFL with the Philadelphia Stars.

“Philly is a special place for me,” Fangio said Thursday before his defense gets set to take on the Eagles Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field.

The tenured defensive coach even spent time with the Eagles last postseason while he was on sabbatical, helping his hometown team prepare for the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs before he ultimately took the defensive coordinator position in Miami, becoming the NFL’s highest-paid assistant coach.

That experience, by the way, won’t help him much in preparation for the Eagles’ No. 2-ranked rushing attack, quarterback Jalen Hurts or wide receiver A.J. Brown.

“I was giving them more information than they were giving me,” Fangio said. “That’s kind of the way it turned out. If there is any advantage to be had by me being there last year, it is in their favor.”

Fangio’s defense will look to build on momentum it has gathered over two home wins against weaker opponents — the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers — after the unit was embarrassed last time it hit the road to face a contending team, the Oct. 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills, allowing 48 points.

It’ll have to come against Hurts, who was runner-up in MVP voting in 2022.

“He has no weaknesses,” Fangio said. “Very strong. Obviously, his running ability is tops. Gives them an extra guy in the run game, makes it hard to defend. Excellent scrambler. Great leader. It’s hard to find fault with him.”

That said, Hurts has not been as sharp as he was last season. He has been sloppy with the football, throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns (seven). Hurts had three interceptions just last week in an upset loss against the New York Jets, the Eagles’ first defeat of the season.

But between Hurts and running back D’Andre Swift, Fangio will have his hands full guarding against the ground game, especially behind a stout offensive line anchored by Jason Kelce at center but which may not have All-Pro Lane Johnson at right tackle.

“It’s probably the best offensive line in the league from a talent standpoint,” Fangio said. “They have size, experience, continuity.

“They have a good slew of backs that they go running back by committee. And then you throw in, oh by the way, the quarterback might keep it and run it himself. So, it’s a very tough assignment from just their talent level, just the way they’ve been coached. And now you add the running part of the quarterback, yes.”

The running of the quarterback also includes the nearly-impossible-to-stop “Tush Push.” The QB sneak the Eagles have run in short-yardage situations with Hurts getting an extra nudge from behind has taken the league by storm with many other teams trying to run iterations of it but failing to do so as successfully as Philadelphia.

“It’s legal. It’s within the rules. So it is definitely fair. They just happen to be really good at it,” Fangio said. “I think it was 2006 when they said you could push. It took almost 15 years for somebody to incorporate it into their offense in a logical way and credit to them for that.”

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Wednesday it’s no surprise his former Alabama teammate has so much success with the unique play because of his strength.

“I’ve been his lifting partner when I got there to Alabama, and oh my goodness,” Tagovailoa said. “Let me tell you, he could probably squat with our linemen or maybe just a little more.”

Fangio touched on the various storylines surrounding his cornerbacks. He said it’s “to be determined” if he’ll have Xavien Howard on Sunday as Howard deals with a groin injury and was back at practice Thursday.

It’s already known Jalen Ramsey is out against the Eagles, despite his return to practice this week from late July knee surgery. But Fangio has been stunned by Ramsey’s quick recovery.

“He’s done a great job with his rehab,” he said. “He’s attacked it like I’ve not seen many people attack a rehab. Sometimes those great players just have that little something in their DNA that they heal faster, and I think he’s one of those guys.”

Fangio said, once he does get Ramsey back, he wouldn’t expect to use him in the versatile “star” role as much as he played it with the Rams, especially early on.

Fangio is eager to finally see cornerback Nik Needham as he has worked back from his torn Achilles that cut his 2022 season short last October.

“We hope that he can — if not this week, then in the weeks to come,” Fangio said. “He’s practiced on the scout team the previous couple weeks getting some reps. I’m anxious to see him. Everyone’s talked about him, but I haven’t seen him yet. Hopefully we’ll be able to get something out of him.”

The Dolphins have been making constant changes in their nickel and dime packages with Eli Apple, Parry Nickerson and Justin Bethel among those moving up and down in the rotation behind Howard and Kader Kohou. Imminent returns of Ramsey and Needham — along with Howard, if he has to miss Sunday — could provide personnel consistency at the position.

Rookie cornerback Cam Smith said Thursday he’s been earning valuable experience on scout team matching up against Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as he awaits his first significant action. Smith, a second-round pick, saw his first defensive snaps late in the 42-21 win over the Carolina Panthers.