After Nick Sirianni called out Angelo Cataldi from the podium on Saturday night, Eagles fans had to think they were in for a treat Monday when the team’s coach would make his regular appearance on 94WIP. While the visit was cordial, Sirianni came ready to defend his defensive coordinator.
“I’m very aware you’d like a piece of me here,” Angelo Cataldi said after introducing the coach.
In his postgame press conference Saturday, Nick Sirianni mentioned Cataldi by name as he railed against people criticizing defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon throughout the season.
“I know what I said on Saturday, and that’s in good fun too,” Sirianni said on Monday morning. “I enjoy coming on this show and talking to you guys, but hey, at the end of the day too, I’m gonna stick up for my brother.”
He cited his background from an Italian family that valued loyalty amongst brothers. He also came with stats to prove the prowess of the Eagles defense under Gannon’s leadership and noted that many times, if the team makes a mistake, it is because Gannon’s play calling is trying to reflect Sirianni’s desire to play aggressive and create turnovers. He acknowledged that perhaps he deserves equal criticism in those moments.
“I want some heat. I want some smoke when you’re getting on Gannon too.”
When Cataldi pointed out that it sounded like Sirianni was stumping for his DC to become a head coach, Sirianni said that he doesn’t want to lose Jonathan Gannon, but it should be clear that he has earned that opportunity. Cataldi revealed that maybe some Eagles fans didn’t agree. He said he heard from them almost immediately on Saturday night.
“Needless to say, after you said the things you said, I got a bunch of emails from people trying to give me ammo,” he said.
