Philly Leader

Sunday marked a significant moment for Nolan Smith, the Philadelphia Eagles' second-year outside linebacker. Following the team's victory over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round, Head Coach Nick Sirianni praised Smith for his performance, describing him as "a nasty, violent football player" before awarding him the game ball.

Smith expressed gratitude for Sirianni's recognition: "It means a lot to have a lot of respect from your head coach," he said. He highlighted Sirianni's ability to motivate and build trust among players.

Despite his personal success on the field, Smith was affected by teammate Nakobe Dean's season-ending knee injury. Smith and Dean share a close bond dating back to their time as roommates at the University of Georgia. "Just got to go harder... that's my guy," Smith remarked about playing in honor of Dean.

Smith's contributions against Green Bay were notable. He recorded two sacks, including one that ended a critical drive for the Packers. Beyond defense, he contributed on special teams—a role he excelled in earlier in his career.

Special Teams Coordinator Michael Clay praised Smith's energy and commitment: "He's dialed in... His intangibles and his want to be great is just unbelievable."

The upcoming Divisional Round game against the Rams holds additional significance for Smith. The first encounter with them saw Brandon Graham suffer an injury that increased Smith’s defensive responsibilities. Since then, he's played consistently and effectively.

Sirianni emphasized both Smith's physicality and mental resilience: "I know how physical Nolan is... Whenever everyone is telling you how good you are, don't believe it."

Looking ahead to facing former Georgia standout Matthew Stafford, Smith acknowledged Stafford's skills while preparing for another challenging game: "We got to make sure we keep him in the pocket."

Smith remains focused on making an impact as he embraces opportunities presented by postseason play.