Brandon Bair spent Weeks 1 and 2 in a jumpsuit, forced to helplessly watch both of his team's losses from the sideline as a healthy member of the inactive list. But after injuries to starting left defensive end Cedric Thornton (hand) and his backup Taylor Hart (shoulder), the veteran lineman's number was called against the 2-0 Jets on Sunday.
The 30-year-old's 6-6, 290-pound frame makes him a load to handle for opposing offensive lines and a burdensome obstruction for quarterbacks looking for a lane through which to throw. Making his first career start against the Jets on Sunday, Bair made four tackles and deflected three passes in a 24-17 win.
"One of the points of emphasis this week is that if the ball's out quick, we may not be able to get to (the quarterback) with a pass rush," head coach Chip Kelly explained. "We need to clog the throwing lanes for (Ryan Fitzpatrick). It takes kind of a little bit of a knack to start to pass rush and get a feel for the timing in your head and get your hands up, and Brandon does have a knack for it. ... If you're not going to get to the quarterback, 'Can you disrupt his timing, and can you disrupt the throwing lanes?' and I thought he did that."
Asked after the game about his propensity for batting down passes, Bair smiled and joked that his length is all he's got since he "isn't a very good pass rusher."
"This was my first game this year, and we're expected to make things happen when we get an opportunity," he continued. "When you've got the guys next to you, you don't have to worry about taking care of anyone else's job. You can just focus on what you have to do, and good things will happen when you do that."
After a crucial turnover by the Eagles with 6:28 remaining and their lead trimmed to 24-14, Bair forced a turnover of his own. He got his hand on a Fitzpatrick pass intended for wide receiver Brandon Marshall which caused the ball to pop up into the air and into the outstretched arms of rookie linebacker Jordan Hicks. The interception helped seal the game for Philadelphia, who now sit at 1-2 in a wide-open NFC East.
"It's a lot easier to get things done up front when you've got coverage like we do behind us," he said of Byron Maxwell, Nolan Carroll and the rest of an Eagles defensive backfield that largely kept the Jets in check on Sunday. "The best opportunity for a defense, if the offense just had a turnover, is to come out and do the same thing. We were able to come back out and put us in a good spot."
With Thornton and Hart both likely to return in the coming weeks, it remains to be seen how Bair will figure into the defensive line rotation in the immediate future. But no matter what is asked of the veteran end, he'll be ready to contribute.
The Eagles traveled to New York to face the Jets in Week 3 of the regular season. View the full gallery here...
RB Ryan Mathews on the run
RB Darren Sproles going for the touchdown!
Making the turn
RB Ryan Mathews celebrates his touchdown
RB Ryan Mathews puts up protection
S Malcolm Jenkins closes in
Almost home free!
QB Sam Bradford warms up in New York
WR Riley Cooper faces off against S Malcolm Jenkins during pregame
QB Sam Bradford has some space to make the play
Talking strategy against the Jets
RB Kenjon Barner gets moving
WR Jordan Matthews is ready for the game!
LB DeMeco Ryans gets the team fired up
LB Marcus Smith leads the charge
LB Brad Jones takes his turn with the run
LB Najee Goode runs the route
Goode in focus
TE Zach Ertz warms up
The Eagles have arrived in the Empire State
DT Beau Allen prepares for the game
K Cody Parkey gets ready for the kick
C Jason Kelce is ready to take the field
Ready to fly
FlyEaglesFly
It's game time
The Eagles make the stop early
LB Jordan Hicks squares up
Taking the field
LB Najee Goode runs towards the play
S Chris Maragos sticks with the tackle
LB Brad Jones and S Chris Maragos stop the Jets
RB Darren Sproles plots his route
RB Darren Sproles pushes through the line
WR Jordan Matthews gets the yards
RB Darren Sproles tries to break free
LS Jon Dorenbos and K Cody Parkey celebrate the extra point
S Malcolm Jenkins pounces on the Jets
RB Ryan Mathews runs past the blocks
C Jason Kelce directs the line
WR Jordan Matthews runs through the open field
Closing in on his next move
WR Jordan Matthews steers through Jets traffic
RB Darren Sproles pushes through
QB Sam Bradford takes the snap
K Cody Parkey makes the kick
QB Sam Bradford finds his target
Sproles on the go
DE Brandon Bair gets in the mix
WR Jordan Matthews takes off
RB Darren Sproles takes the handoff
DT Bennie Logan and DB Walter Thurmond team up for the tackle
RB Darren Sproles celebrates the huge punt return for a touchdown
Off to the races!
LB Marcus Smith congratulates RB Darren Sproles
CB Byron Maxwell goes for the ball
CB Byron Maxwell fights for the tackle
QB Sam Bradford sends the ball flying
The Eagles defense works hard
Congratulations are waiting on the sidelines
P Donnie Jones sets up for the kick
Going, going, gone!
QB Sam Bradford takes his time to make the play
The Eagles swarm
TE Zach Ertz with the reception
RB Ryan Mathews prepares to make the catch
RB Ryan Mathews takes off
The Jets try to close in on Mathews
Congratulations after the extra point
QB Sam Bradford looks for his receiver
TE Zach Ertz holds onto the ball
LB DeMeco Ryans gets in position
DE Vinny Curry goes for the ball
DE Vinny Curry is not giving up
RB Darren Sproles looks for the opening
RB Darren Sproles shakes the tackle
Getting to the open field!
LB Najee Goode celebrates with RB Darren Sproles
The running backs celebrate the touchdown!
LB Jordan Hicks takes possession
The Eagles recover the ball!
WR Jordan Matthews stretches for the touchdown
Another Eagles stop
DT Bennie Logan gets ahold of the Jets
CB Nolan Carroll marks up
RB Ryan Mathews breaks free
QB Sam Bradford looks down the field
RB Ryan Mathews has the endzone in sight
Mathews moves along
Making the call
The defense is dialed in
Going long
RB Darren Sproles celebrates the touchdown
Head Coach Chip Kelly makes the call
On the line
DE Vinny Curry holds on tight
RB Darren Sproles pushes through the coverage
RB Darren Sproles walks away with the ball
Another celebration for RB Darren Sproles
RB Darren Sproles protects on the run
Eagles Nation representing in New York
The pass is in the air...
Getting the yards
LB Brandon Graham applies pressure
The Eagles continue to pressure Fitzpatrick
DT Bennie Logan stops the run
The line puts up a wall
LB Jordan Hicks charges
DT Bennie Logan is pumped up!
LB Marcus Smith watches the ball
The Eagles break up the pass
DB Walter Thurmond goes for the interception
Not so fast!
The head coaches shake hands after the game
Brotherly Love
Ryans and Fitzpatrick shake hands
CB Byron Maxwell speaks with Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick after the game
Catching up after a tough game
Eagles Nation showed their support
CB Byron Maxwell thanks Eagles Nation
RB Darren Sproles is unstoppable
The linebackers celebrate
DE Fletcher Cox congratulates LB Jordan Hicks
A huge stop!
DB Walter Thurmond is on Cloud 9
...On the Road to Victory!
RB Ryan Mathews breaks free
WR Seyi Ajirotutu recovers the ball
A quick timeout discussion
