RON CORTES / Staff Photographer
Coming back from injuries, will running back Brian Westbrook (left) and quarterback Donovan McNabb be playing at 100 percent? We'll soon see as the Eagles take on hapless Tampa Bay.
Ashley Fox: What to expect from Birds vs. Bucs
It was a quiet weekend with the Eagles on sabbatical. Time to crank the machine back up again. The Birds will begin preparing today for the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the meantime, let's revisit some questions I received during my chat yesterday on philly.com.
Contact columnist Ashley Fox at 215-854-5064 or afox@phillynews.com.
Do you think they will use Michael Vick much this week, now that Donovan McNabb is back?
- Bob
That's the money question. I bet we'll see Vick play 10-12 snaps. If he does, it'll be interesting to see how Donovan McNabb reacts to it, if he likes it, if the plays work, etc. The analysts I've talked to, some pro-Wildcat and some who are undecided, question why the Eagles would ever take McNabb off the field or out from behind center.
Can I rely on (Brian) Westbrook to have decent production this week? Have him on my fantasy team. Do you think he will have the same form as when healthy?
- Dan
It's hard to say. But if he's healthy, they'll use him and use him a lot. It's too early in the week to know how effective he'll be. I don't gamble, and I don't play fantasy, so you're on your own there.
How will the third quarterback on this week's roster play out in regards to NFL rules?
- Larry
I'd imagine they'd do what they did last week, only with McNabb as the starter, Kevin Kolb as the backup and Vick as just a regular player. That will cost them a roster spot, but otherwise if Vick came into the game, neither McNabb nor Kolb could return until the fourth quarter.
Hi Ashley. Is McNabb fully healthy or will we see some tentativeness from him come Sunday?
- Zach
No comment.
Andy Reid has now spawned quite a coaching tree. Do you think any of the current Eagles coaches are candidates for future NFL head coaching jobs?
- Yuri
I bet Sean McDermott will get there eventually. Not in the next year or two, but eventually. Unless they win the Super Bowl this year. Then, all bets are off.
Is Jeremiah Trotter really the answer? The guy hasn't played in over a year, and none of the other 31 teams were knocking on the door to give this guy a contract. Does he have anything left?
- Kevin
I don't know. We're about to find out. It was a low-risk, potentially high-reward move by the Eagles. I've heard he's been working out like crazy ever since he left the Bucs. What's left? I hope something, for Trotter's sake.
Will they sign Chuck Bednarik?
- Julio
I'm sure he's calling Andy from a rotary dial phone right now.
What is your opinion about those complaints by the Ravens regarding the roughing the passer calls?
- Franz
I think there hasn't been uniform enforcement of the rule, and that's why they were so upset. The NFL has made it a priority to protect the quarterback, but it seems like the rules, or the interpretation of the rules, are different from crew to crew. I still think the Panthers' hit on McNabb was late.
Should the Eagles defense be worried at all about the running game of Tampa Bay?
- Dan
I'm not sure they really have to worry about anything with that team. Wow. From play-calling to use of personnel to the quarterback situation and now they've switched kickers - and they fired their offensive coordinator before the season even started. They're a mess.
The Eagles seem to be talking out of both ends as usual. They don't sign B-Dawk because of age/ability, but they bring back Trot.
- Packer
Yes, I agree it is a bit of convenient doublespeak. And Brian Dawkins certainly is helping Denver this season, in more ways than one.
Contact columnist Ashley Fox at 215-854-5064 or afox@phillynews.com.
