Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham noted on his weekly show on 94WIP he thinks new defensive coordinator Sean Desai could bring a different defensive approach to that of former DC Jonathan Gannon.
WIP's Howard Eskin asked Graham during the show if Desai 'will change the [Eagles'] approach with blitz, and no blitz,'" to which Graham had an interesting response:
"I think so. I think so. We have to get through this first game first so that you can see...I know already how Philly, what they've been groomed to see over the years. So that's where I feel everybody that comes in has their own style and eventually sometimes the pressure of the city can make you start doing things. I just want [Sean] Desai to be him."
Desai begins his time as Eagles defensive coordinator after spending 2022 with the Seahawks as a defensive assistant and 2021 as the Bears' DC. He takes over an Eagles defense which in 2022 ranked second in total defense with 301.5 yards-allowed-per-game, seventh in scoring with 20.2 points-allowed-per-game and set a franchise record with 70 sacks during the regular season.
Despite great numbers throughout the year, the former DC Gannon was disliked by many Eagles fans due to his passive style. The Chiefs' 38-35 win over the Eagles in Super Bowl 57 only made those cries louder, especially after the Cardinals and Eagles settled a tampering case regarding the Cardinals talking with Gannon during the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
Gannon then alleged earlier this offseason that during a news conference in Philadelphia last year, writers made it known they wanted him fired because he didn't blitz enough. The new Cardinals head coach walked back those comments in a recent Athletic article, noting it was something he heard on the radio. Connecting the dots, he was referring to former WIP morning host Angelo Cataldi's show after the Eagles' loss to the Commanders.
Many fans now hope Desai brings a more aggressive defensive approach to the 2023 unit.
Graham was also asked to compared the two coordinators' schemes on his show on WIP Thursday night.
"It's similar, but it's a different play-caller," Graham said. "90% of the stuff we did last year, we're doing. But he has a good 10% in there where he'll call something different, or we might have a job we didn't have with Gannon."
The Eagles and Desai begin their season Sunday afternoon against the New England Patriots. We'll see what, if anything, is different about the team's defensive approach.