In a radio appearance Wednesday morning, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni mentioned facing Jonathan Gannon, his former defensive coordinator, against whom he will play Sunday when the Cardinals visit Philadelphia.
While conversing on WIP, Sirianni chuckled, but he had a message for his pal.
“As much as I love Jonathan Gannon, because I do, I hired him to be the defensive coordinator, we had so many special moments the past two years and my sentiment toward Jonathan Gannon is not the same as what I hear the city’s sentiment is,” stated Sirianni. “I adore him, and except for this week, I am always rooting for him.”
(But) I want him to be so freaking uncomfortable when he comes into – and I’m going to tell him this – I want him to be so frickin uncomfortable when he gets into that stadium that he never wants to come back to Philly again.”
This is typical of friendly banter. When it was brought up, Gannon smiled, claiming that Sirianni had indeed given him the message directly.
“I’ve got nothing but love and respect for all those people there,” he remarked. “Obviously, a fantastic two years for my family and I, as well as how close I am to Nick, but as I said, it’s compete, compete, compete.”
“It’s a fantastic place to play.” It’s a hostile setting. They were on our side for two years when I was there, but our boys know what it’s like to play in hostile conditions. That will be one of them.”
It will be interesting to see how much the Philadelphia supporters want to make Gannon uncomfortable, especially in comparison to how uncomfortable the fan base generally tries to make the opponent anyway.
Most rival coaches, however, lack Gannon’s experience with the Eagles. He led the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2022 with a superb defense that included a franchise-record 70 sacks.Gannon became the blame after the Eagles lost a close game to the Chiefs, especially after taking the Cardinals’ head coaching job. Prior to the draft, the Cardinals and Eagles confirmed that the Cards admitted to meddling with Gannon early in the coaching negotiations, resulting in a draft selection swap (and leaving the Cardinals with an extra fifth-round pick in 2024).
“Just the way everything happened, the way everybody kind of talked about him when he left, I know he wants some type of getback,” Philadelphia defensive end Brandon Graham told reporters on Wednesday. “We just have to make sure we go out and do ourselves, man.” Play, play hard, but it’ll be nice to see him.”
Gannon did note that the Eagles game was merely the next game on the schedule, and that no matter how the fans react, “I’m not really concerned about it.” Gannon’s homecoming would have been front-page news in Philadelphia even if he hadn’t returned, but with the Eagles underperforming on defense, his departure had already reappeared as a subject.
It makes sense for Gannon to be focused on his own squad; the record (3-12) is not what the first-year coach had planned for, but he has instilled a “winning culture,” according to linebacker Dennis Gardeck, despite the lack of victories.
When asked if the players wanted to get Gannon a win in Philly because of his past there, safety Budda Baker didn’t pause. “Just trying to get a win, period.”
Baker, on the other hand, smiled when he disclosed that he considered interrupting Gannon during the team meeting on Wednesday morning.
“I was telling myself, ‘I better not see any shaking hands, kissing, or hugging babies before the game.'” “You do it after the game,” Baker explained. “I was thinking about it. But it’s a new opponent, and we’ll attempt to win.”
Gannon did point out that the Eagles game was just the next game on the schedule, and that regardless of how the fans react, “I’m not really concerned about it.” Gannon’s return would have been front-page news in Philadelphia even if he hadn’t returned, but with the Eagles’ defense struggling, his departure had already resurfaced as a topic.
It makes sense for Gannon to be focused on his own team; the record (3-12) is not what the first-year coach had hoped for, but despite the dearth of victories, he has fostered a “winning culture,” according to linebacker Dennis
The players have praised Gannon since he left, a bunch of athletes who recognized that Gannon had helped them while he was there and needed to go to advance his career.
“JG is my guy, man,” cornerback Darius Slay told reporters in Philadelphia. “I’m looking forward to seeing him. I really like what he’s doing over there. I’ve only heard good things from the men over there. “I know one thing they’re going to do is play hard for him.”
Gannon’s entire strategy is to get the Cardinals to play hard. Every week, that is his plan.
What makes this week any different?
Gardeck.
