One Of The Coop

Taking a moment to process the play, Eagles rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean planted his foot around midfield Sunday before charging ahead.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had eluded a converging Josh Sweat, attempting to salvage a desperation 3rd-and-11 scenario by dumping the ball off to his left.

But a flash of white jersey promptly stormed in to halt any momentum, piledriving Ravens running back Derrick Henry onto the M&T Bank Stadium grass.

That play by DeJean, with about seven minutes remaining, for all intents and purposes ended the game.

It also elicited a jubilation and passion from teammates, who celebrated with DeJean both on the field and on the sideline as the rookie issued the knockout punch in what had felt like a prize fight between two of the NFL’s best.

“It was cool,” DeJean said after the game, a 24-19 Eagles win. “I didn’t expect to fully pick him up and put him on the ground, it kind of just happened like that. I was just trying to do my job and make a tackle.”

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles CB Cooper DeJean’s rapid development has helped key the defensive turnaround.

Throughout the week, much of the conversation centered around which team would be most physical. The game was widely viewed as a battle of will.

Rallying to the football with urgency, securing tackles and remaining assignment sound were primary objectives for the Eagles. And for DeJean, the team’s multifaceted defender, to answer the bell in the manner that he did – in that moment – provided additional perspective.

For one, it showed that no lights or moment will never be too bright for him, and also just how much DeJean’s fearless play style complements an aggressive, fast-flowing Eagles defense presided over by coordinator Vic Fangio.

While the play itself was one of several critical sequences pieced together by the defense, it was the one DeJean vividly reflected on following the game.

“Oh, he’s a big dude,” DeJean said. “I felt it for sure. You know, but luckily he was just turning around so he didn’t really see me coming. I was able to sneak up on him and make the tackle.”

Fangio called it “really good technique.”

“Good job of wrapping up,” the veteran coach added. “Good job of targeting where to hit him. It all came together for a really good play.”

Since entering the starting lineup coming out of the Week 5 bye and replacing veteran Avonte Maddox, DeJean has essentially unlocked the team’s full potential on defense.

Sharp and instinctive, the 21-year-old Iowa product provides considerable range, physicality and athleticism to the back end.

Diagnosing plays, delivering licks and finding the football are all hallmarks of a Fangio defense, but it’s not often you find a rookie who can do that each and every week to the degree DeJean has shown.

The key to the Eagles’ defensive resurgence has been them priding themselves on physicality, communication and attention to detail. It’s been a weekly point of emphasis to force teams to match their physicality, and if their opponents happens to do so, the Eagles expect to exceed it.

The group is wired a bit differently, equipped to overcome a slow start and deliver a counterpunch after making adjustments.

DeJean acknowledged the challenges that go with defending the juggernaut Ravens offense during the first 15 plays. He also mentioned their being a few mistakes made by the defense along the way.

Fangio’s unit, as it has every week since the bye, eventually settled in and executed the plan, playing its style of football – fast and physical, much to the delight of their ascending rookie defensive back.

“I love it,” DeJean said. “Football is a physical game. That’s how you gotta play it. You have to continue to do that, especially down the stretch. When you get into the cold games, you gotta be mentally tough and have to go out and play a physical game.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.