To boil it down to the simplest of terms, Fernando Noriega's job requires total dedication, attention to detail, trust, love, and passion to make sure the Eagles are feeling at their tip-top best every single day, but most importantly, on gamedays.

To achieve that, of course, is much more complicated.

"We gotta make sure that they are physically ready to endure the full length of a game, whether that's something low like 50-55 plays or all the way up to 70-80 plays per game," said Noriega, the team's Director of Player Performance and Sports Science/Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. "We target all the physical elements from strength, power, explosiveness, and cardiovascular levels.

"We have a wide range of body sizes, and the way that our training program is laid out, we have four completely different programs: the bigs, which is the O-line and D-line; the mids, which is tight ends, running backs, and linebackers; the skills, which is the wide receivers and defensive backs; and then the quarterbacks and specialists. Those positions all have very specific demands. So, we start with that training foundation, but from there, we get very individualized based on the needs of each player."

To accurately assess the needs of each player, Noriega and his staff utilize the team's performance data. In the weight room, various technologies are hnologies are utilized, and if a player needs, say, more strength, then his program is modified to improve that specific area. On the field, the players wear tags on the back of their jerseys every time they take the field, whether it's a walkthrough, practice, or game. The players' workloads are evaluated daily to assess their readiness and fatigue, and any deficiencies are addressed. Maximizing the players' talent and health is what it's all about – winning while keeping the players healthy.

The Eagles certainly have been dominating in a 17-3 campaign, something that pleases Noriega, an assistant strength and conditioning coach (2017-20) and strength and conditioning intern (2016) with the Los Angeles Rams prior to joining the Eagles in 2021. Noriega has also served as a strength and conditioning intern at Cal State Long Beach while simultaneously serving as the head strength and conditioning coach for El Monte (California) High School's football program. He began his career as a strength and conditioning coach at EM Speed and Power Training from 2013-14.

"When you are physically dominating teams, you feel good about what we are doing every day with the players. They see the results, and they understand that all the work they are putting in is helping them perform better on the field," Noriega said. "A big part of this is trust, and the best way to build that trust is education. We inform them why we are doing what we're doing with them. If we're doing performance assessments, it's for a reason, and we want them to know the why and what we're seeing in the data and how we feel we can help them.

"We are here to set the players up for success. They know that, and they feel that by how we go about our business."

It is not just Noriega who is making this happen. He has a top-notch and dedicated staff consisting of Ben Wagner, Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach; Dustin Woods, Interpersonal Performance Director/Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach; Eddie Grayer, Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach; Autumn Lockwood, Associate Performance Coach, Stephanie Coppola, Performance Nutrition Coordinator; seasonal associates Johnny Good and Grace Kennedy, as well as a staff of massage therapists, a yoga instructor, and daily coordination with FLIK Hospitality Group that prepares the food at the NovaCare Complex.

It takes a village …

"My responsibility to the team is, first, to make sure the players are ready to perform at their best every week," Noriega said. "With that, developing relationships with the players so that they understand that I see this profession as a servant-type profession. I'm here, and my staff is here, to offer all of our knowledge, expertise, and resources that this great organization provides to help every player be the best version of himself. Our entire staff is aligned with that thinking and that approach. The players, team, and organization come first.

"These are incredibly gifted men, and some of them succeeded in college based on talent. But when they get here, everyone is gifted, so we find ways to help them develop. That may include improving their movement mechanics or improving their daily habits with pre- and post-practice routines. We want to help the players have 10-, 12-year careers. Slay (Cornerback Big Play) is in his 12th year and playing great football. What is he doing right? Obviously, he's doing a lot of things right on and off the field. You don't have that type of career by accident.

"We are all on the same team, and we are all working towards the same goal, and as a performance staff, we are here to work with the players and help them play to the best of their ability. This season has been outstanding. I love every bit of this job. It's very challenging, but I get a lot of fulfillment from helping people reach their full potential."