Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio met with reporters Thursday to discuss everything from retirement rumors to Cooper DeJean’s evolving role in the secondary.
But the most surprising moment of the press conference may have come when the conversation shifted toward the Philadelphia Phillies.
A longtime Phillies fan, Fangio admitted he hasn’t been thrilled with the organization lately following its decision to move on from former manager Rob Thomson earlier this season.
“I’m down on the Phillies,” Fangio said, drawing an immediate “ohhh” reaction from members of the media gathered at the NovaCare Complex Jefferson Health Training Complex (sorry!).
Fangio then explained exactly why he felt that way.
“I didn’t like them firing (Rob) Thomson,” Fangio said. “Didn’t agree with it.”
When asked about interim manager Don Mattingly taking over the club, Fangio offered a far more reserved response.
“He’s doing good,” Fangio said.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement!
There was no follow-up discussion regarding Bryce Harper’s reported resistance to batting second in the lineup, though Fangio’s blunt assessment of the Thomson firing quickly became one of the more memorable moments from Thursday’s availability.
