Archive: November, 2009
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Updating: The Eagles got within 7-6, following a 48-yard David Akers field goal that capped a 54-yard drive, 12 plays plus one penalty, lots of good momentum for the running game.Things looked better, especially with Jason Peters returning at the 2-minute warning. Apparently, those ankle X-rays were negative.
Then, though, the defense got shaky. First it allowed a 64-yard Tony Romo completion to Patrick Crayton. Then, for the second time in the game, the Cowboys set up points by converting a long third down on an inside screen to wideout Kevin Ogletree. Maybe after halftime, the Birds will have figured that one out.
It's 10-6 Cowboys at the half, following a 22-yard Nick Folk field goal.
Daily News staff and Les Bowen
UPDATED: Brian Westbrook will not play tonight vs. Dallas.
The Eagles released a statement from head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder, regarding Brian Westbrook's condition moments ago. It reads:
"On Friday afternoon Brian began experiencing symptoms of a mild headache. From that point forward, we had Brian re-evaluated by (team internist) Dr. Gary Dorshimer and we put him through extensive testing. Even though those tests were determined to be negative, we all thought it would be in the best interests of Brian and the team that he should be deactivated for tonight's game. We will continue to evaluate Brian this week"
Daily News staff
Earlier this week, we heard from Mike Jenkins about his plans for the Eagles receivers, then we heard from Roy Williams with his thoughts on his family's experience in Philly last year.
Now, we hear from Miles Austin, who took a more tactful approach.
Asked to describe Eagles fans, Austin replied: "Passionate. I might have more adjectives, too.”
Daily News staff
Linebacker Chris Gocong is listed as doubtful after missing his third consecutive day of practice with quadriceps and hamstring injuries suffered against the Giants.
Rookie Moise Fokou would start in his place.
“He’ll be ready,” coach Andy Reid said of Fokou. “He’s worked hard at that. Even when Chris was healthy, he took a couple of reps in practice and stayed on top of things.”
Daily News staff
The Eagles face the Dallas Cowboys for the 100th time when they meet Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.In today's Eagles Playbook, Mark Kram looks back at the first game. Here are some facts about the series:
Overall: Cowboys lead, 55-44.
In Philadelphia: Eagles lead, 26-22
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
Each week, Daily News football writer Paul Domowitch will tell you the things he will be keeping his eyes on during that week’s game:
1. Make Romo Be Romo: Tony Romo hasn’t thrown an interception in the last three games and has been sacked just five times in those games. But those games were against three defenses — Seattle, Atlanta and Kansas City — with a combined opponent passer rating of 92.8. When Romo is pressured, when Romo gets knocked around, he makes mistakes. His record as a starter when he’s been sacked no more than once — 21-3. His record when he’s been sacked more than once — 11-11.
2. The tight end dilemma: Cowboys TE Jason Witten is a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. His 37 receptions ties him with the Eagles’ Brent Celek for most by an NFC tight end. The Eagles have had their problems this season vs. opposing TEs. They’ve given up just six TD catches in the last four games, but five have been to TEs. Opponents clearly are attacking them there. Of the 970 passing yards against the Eagles in the last four games, 411 (42.4 percent) have come on passes to tight ends.
Daily News staff
DALLAS — Roy Williams has not had good experiences on the field against the Eagles, and he says his family was not treated well by the fans because they were wearing Cowboys gear during their visit.
“My brother was trying to get a cab ride back to the hotel [from the stadium] and they got in the cab and the guy was like, ‘E-L-G-S, Eagles! Eagles! Eagles!’ ” Williams said. “My brother said, ‘First of all, learn how to spell.’ But he wouldn’t give my family a ride because they had Cowboys stuff on. So they learned not to wear Cowboys stuff when they go to Philly.”
Williams was a member of the Detroit Lions when they lost to the Eagles, 56-21, in 2007, and then was with the Dallas for last year’s 44-6 pounding in the regular season finale.
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Among the Eagles' biggest struggles defensively this year has been keeping track of the tight end. And now, along comes All-Pro Jason Witten from the Cowboys.
"We’ve got to know where 82 is all the time," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "In every personnel group that they put out there he’s a guy that they look to. If it’s Will, if it’s another linebacker, if it’s a defensive lineman, if it’s a safety, they need to be studying film and know exactly what 82 does, when he does it and where he does it from.”
In 11 career games against the Eagles, Witten has 63 receptions for 792 yards and three touchdowns. He has had three 100-yard receiving games vs. the Birds, including 110 in the Week 2 meeting last season.
Daily News staff
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins was not mincing words when he spoke about the team's plans for trying to shut down the Eagles explosive wide receivers.
"Go out and hit them in the mouth," Jenkins told reporters. "Just be physical and hopefully we can shut them down."
However, Jenkins also praised the Eagles' DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and understands the Birds' ability to make the big play. Still, he was not backing down.
Les Bowen and Daily News staff
Brian Westbrook practiced today, as the Eagles prepared to host the Dallas Cowboys, and is "good to go" for
Sunday, "unless there's a setback here," Andy Reid said Wednesday. Westbrook suffered a concussion in the Eagles' Oct. 26 victory at Washington.
Strongside linebacker Chris Gocong (quad, hamstring) did not practice today. Ditto DE Victor Abiamiri and WR Kevin Curtis, who have knee issues. DE Chris Clemons, working with a shoulder sprain, is listed as not practicing, as is DT Brodrick Bunkley (knee). Curtis has already been ruled out for Dallas.
Reid said he believes Westbrook's concussion is "a freak thing" and not indicative of any sort of descent into constant injury worries. "I thought he was as good as I've ever seen him" before Westbrook ran into London Fletcher's knee, Reid said. He joked that Westbrook's head generally collides with defenders' shins, but in this instance, "the two shortest guys on the field" ran into each other.
