The Philadelphia Eagles’ end-of-season collapse has been attributed to many factors, but one NFL reporter pointed to the absence of a key sideline presence as a significant reason for the team’s downfall. According to Derrick Gunn, the loss of Dominic “Big Dom” DiSandro, the Eagles’ head of security, had a major impact on the team’s performance in the latter part of the season.
DiSandro was suspended from the sideline following a physical altercation with San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw, which occurred during a game against the 49ers. The Eagles went on to suffer a 42-19 loss in that game, which marked the beginning of their end-of-season woes. Gunn reported that DiSandro’s role on the sideline involved controlling head coach Sirianni’s emotions and his absence led to numerous arguments with players and coaches during games.
The Eagles’ collapse over the final six weeks of the season was one of the biggest end-of-season declines by DVOA since the 2011 Chicago Bears. After starting the season with a promising 10-1 record, the Eagles dropped five of their final six games and ultimately lost their lead spot in the NFC East. Despite being allowed back on the sideline for the Eagles’ wild card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia went on to lose the road matchup 32-9.
Players on the team also noticed the absence of DiSandro and the impact it had on the team’s performance. Left tackle Jordan Mailata acknowledged the significance of DiSandro’s presence on the team, stating that they hadn’t been executing or performing well since he was gone. Mailata emphasized the positive energy and vibes that DiSandro brought to the team, especially on game days, and expressed optimism about having him back on the sidelines.
Overall, the absence of Dominic “Big Dom” DiSandro, the Eagles’ head of security, had a noticeable impact on the team’s performance and dynamics during their end-of-season collapse. As the team looks to regroup and prepare for the upcoming season, the return of DiSandro to the sideline could bring back the positive energy and influence that was missing during their struggles.
