Nick Sirianni: ‘I want my sons to play football like Nolan Smith’

Nick Sirianni raved about Nolan Smith after the Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers in Sunday's NFC Wild Card Round matchup. 

In the win, the second-year pass rusher had eight total tackles and two sacks, as the Eagles held Jordan Love and the Packers to just 10 points. 

"Yeah, Nolan has just continued to get better," Sirianni said. "I gave him a game ball in there just because of his efforts. I love Nolan Smith. 

"... My two sons aren't going to play defensive end, they're not gonna have the genes to do so," Sirianni continued. "But I want my sons to play football like Nolan Smith. 

"Before my kids go out to play any sport, I say 'Have fun, play hard, be physical.' And that guy is the definition of those things. He has fun out there. He has fun with his teammates. His teammates love him. He plays as hard as I've ever seen anybody play. And this dude is a physical, physical, physical guy. I mean, I can't say enough about the way he plays this game." 

Bend like Gumby

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Smith's impact was minimal in his rookie season after the Eagles selected him late in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Georgia. 

However, he had 42 combined tackles, 11 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, 6 1/2 sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in his second season. He's one of many who have benefitted from the arrival of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. 

For the Eagles to win a Super Bowl next month, they're going to need much more out of Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and the passing game. If that comes to fruition, the offense will be able to look back at a monster performance from Smith and the defense in a playoff-opening win that allowed the Eagles to advance despite Hurts throwing for just 131 yards.