Archive: September, 2009
Daily News staff
Shawn Andrews is on his way to Los Angeles, presumably to have his injured back re-examined by Dr. Robert Watkins.
"Well Philly I'm going away now so I can try to get this back right....," Andrews wrote on his Twitter page. He later indicated his destination was Los Angeles.
Watkins performed surgery on Andrews' back last October.
Daily News staff
The Eagles face Kansas City this Sunday and then have the bye week. Given the Eagles' injury situation the bye week could come at an opportune time to potentially provide a chance for Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook and Stacy Andrews, among others, to heal.
The Eagles point to Andy Reid's perfect 10-0 record in the game after the bye and how Reid's teams have traditionally played better post-bye. The Birds, under Reid, are a combined 34-34 from the start of the season to before the bye week and a combined 63-28-1 from the bye week through the end of the season.
Where the stumble often comes is the game leading up to the bye. Coming off an ugly loss to the Saints that was marred by turnovers and penalties, the likelihood of a letdown seems minimal, but history shows the Eagles are 4-6 in the game leading into the bye and 2-6 in the last eight.
1999, New England, W, 24-9
2000, at Cleveland, W, 35-24
2001, Arizona, L, 21-20
2002, at Jacksonville, L, 28-25
2003, New England, L, 31-10
2004, at Chicago, W, 19-9
2005, at Dallas, L, 33-10
2006, Jacksonville, L 13-6
2007, at NY Giants, L, 16-3
2008, at San Francisco, W, 40-26
*
FOLLOWING SHAWN ANDREWS
Shawn Andrews' Twitter page has gotten some media attention following his being placed on injured reserve early last week. While much of the subject matter has to do with non-football related topics, but here are a few Tweets of interest:
Posted Monday morning: "It sucks being pretty much in the best shape of my life and not being able to go. Unfortunate but I just count my blessings"
Posted Sunday before the game: "Any good on my side I will take, but I'm over it all. My son was crying cause daddy couldn't play ball like normally"
"Talk about hurt my feelings... Daddy can't even get on the floor and play with him. Talk about frustrating... Grrrrrrrrrr"
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
Each Monday, Daily News pro football writer Paul Domowitch will provide his "Second Take" on the Eagles game after watching the tape of the game. Here are his day-after observations ...
* The main reason that Victor Abiamiri is starting at left end instead of Juqua Parker is because Abiamiri is bigger and better able to defend the run on first and second down than Parker. But he didn’t defend the run all that well on Sunday. He failed to protect the backside on Robert Meachum’s 15-yard end-around on the Saints’ first possession, came too far inside on Mike Bell’s 23-yard first-quarter run, and got sealed off by tackle Zach Strief on Bell’s 7-yard third-quarter touchdown run that gave the Saints a 31-13 lead.
* Abiamiri made a nice play on Akeem Jordan’s second-quarter interception. Drew Brees ran a bootleg, but Abiamiri stayed in front of him with his hands up, forcing an inaccurate throw that the athletic Jordan was able to tip with his right hand and then catch.
Daily News staff
Eagles coach Andy Reid said there “is a chance” that Donovan McNabb could play Sunday against Kansas City and he was hopeful that Brian Westbrook could work through his lingering ankle problems. McNabb said he feels "pretty good" but he isn't sure if he will be ready to play Sunday.
McNabb did not play Sunday against the Saints with a broken rib.
On Monday, McNabb was asked how he felt physically: “I feel pretty good, better than last Monday. It’s one day at a time. I think there is a process that is going on, and the progression makes you feel confident that things are going to be better. Hopefully, it will be quicker than later. I’m looking forward to being back out on the field.”
Daily News staff
McNABB UPDATE
If you caught the end of NBC's telecast of the Sunday night Giants-Cowboys game, Sports Illustrated's Peter King, via Bob Costas, reported that Donovan McNabb is doubtful for the game against Kansas City because of his rib injury.
King also said the Eagles have developed a 10-play package for the returning Michael Vick. Presumably, the Eagles' heavy use of the Wildcat vs. New Orleans was to set the stage for Vick's debut and help take some pressure off Kevin Kolb.
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
RUSH OFFENSE
Forced to play run-and-shoot with the Saints, the Eagles ran the ball just 21 times for 85 yards. Forty-five of those yards came on seven runs out of the Wildcat formation. Just three of Brian Westbrook’s 13 rushing attempts went for more than 5 yards. Grade: C-plus
PASS OFFENSE
Daily News staff
A disappointed Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb said the Saints did not do anything that he was not expecting, but took the blame for the mistakes that he made.
Kolb finished 31-for-51 for 391 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. The 391 yards are the 12th-most by an Eagles quarterback.
"There really are a lot of things I can learn from and do better at," Kolb said. "It’s a shame."
Daily News staff
UPDATED with Westbrook ...
Eagles coach Andy Reid did not mince words in describing his dismay with the Eagles' 48-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
"An absolutely horrendous performance," Reid said.
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Updating: As we're typing this, Kevin Kolb has passed the 350-yard mark in his first NFL start. Yet the Eagles are getting blown out. Kolb has made two really bad mistakes all day, one just now, as Darren Sharper, Sean McDermott's old William & Mary teammate, picked him and ran it in 97 yards for a 48-22 Saints lead.
Problems on special teams and.defense put Kolb in an untenable situation, or at least, a situation that was far less than ideal for a guy making his first start.
Previously: Well, Ellis Hobbs taketh away, but he also giveth. A 63-yard kickoff return set up a really nice Kevin Kolb to Jason Avant TD on fourth and goal from the Saints' 3. Birds still down, 34-20.
Daily News staff
The Eagles return home to Lincoln Financial Field for a Week 2 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.
We get you set up for each Eagles game here on Eagletarian with staff picks, key matchups and any breaking news. Les Bowen will blog from the Linc before and during the game.
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