Patrick Causey, on Twitter @InsdeTheHuddle
Last weekend, Fletcher Cox turned in a dominating performance against the New Orleans Saints, recording six tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
This week, Cox was recognized for that performance, being named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Cox has been one of the best and most underrated defensive players in the league over the last season and a half. Cox was snubbed for a Pro Bowl berth last year, but is making it harder for the National media to ignore him again this season.
“I hope the outside world recognizes the talent that he has,” defensive coordinator Billy Davis said. “He’s a Pro Bowl-caliber player. I’ve been around a long time, and that’s what they look like. They play the run and they cause disruptions in the passing game. Sack numbers come and go, but he has the skill set.”
Head coach Chip Kelly was equally effusive in his praise:
"I really think for us, it's what Fletch has done here since we've been here. I mean, he's been a very disruptive force on the defensive line since we've been here. I think he's just starting to get noticed what he probably should have gotten before. I think you even — you go back to last year, and an opponent is talking about going in, getting ready to play us, and they're talking about Fletcher's name.
So, he was close in a couple of our earlier games, really close a couple times in the Washington game to getting some sacks. And I know Billy [Defensive coordinator Bill Davis] says that says it happens, sometimes they just come in bunches, but I think he's played at a really high level for a while here. It's just yesterday it kind of all came together for him, but I still remember him picking up and scoring one against Jacksonville. I mean, he's made some really big plays; this wasn't his first big game for us. But, it's something that we've become kind of accustomed to because of the type of player Fletch is."
Hopefully, Cox continues this high level of play. The Eagles will need it this Monday Night, in a huge early season divisional matchup against the New York Giants.
