Archive: September, 2011
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
Here is the Daily News' report card from the Eagles' victory over the Rams. Click here to send in your own grades.
RUSHING OFFENSE
LeSean McCoy notched his fourth career 100-yard rushing performance. He rushed for 122 yards, with 95 coming on four fourth-quarter carries, including a 49-yard TD romp. Michael Vick scrambled for 98 yards on 10 carries, including four of 17 yards or more. Grade: B-plus
Daily News staff
Here are comments from Andy Reid after the win over St. Louis:
Injuries: Darryl Tapp has a pectoral strain and Akeem Jordan has a right shoulder strain. Each has an MRI scheduled for tomorrow. No other injuries were reported.
Opening statement: “Wins are hard to get in the National Football League. You see when you check how things are around the league. There’s are plenty of things we need to work on. We’ll do that. We’re obviously not satisfied with today. We can play better. My hat’s off to Steve [Spagnuolo] and his football team. They battled like crazy. They had a few injuries. He has done a nice job with his coaches and front office and they put together a nice football team.”
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Update: The Eagles finished off a 31-13 win over St. Louis.
McCoy finished up with 122 yards and Michael Vick had 100 yards rushing and 190 passing. For the Eagles, it was the first time they had two 100-yard rushers in the same game since 2002.
Update: LeSean McCoy ripped off a 49-yard touchdown run behind exceptional blocking, giving the Eagles a 31-13 fourth-quarter lead and full control of their opener.
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
ST. LOUIS -- Eagles opening day inactives are out and they include the first-, second-, and third-round draft picks, perhaps a reflection of the toll of the 136-day NFL lockout.
Guard Danny Watkins, safety Jaiquawn Jarrett and corner Curtis Marsh will not be in uniform today when the Eagles face the host St. Louis Rams.
The Eagles have six rookies active today, none was chosen above the fourth round.
Daily News staff
Here is our weekly staff predictions and key matchups, and let's make this an open score thread this season, so leave your predictions in the comments section:
STAFF PREDICTIONS
Les Bowen: If the Eagles can protect Michael Vick, with an offensive line that ought to be wearing nametags, in a loud dome, they will win. Probably pretty handily. Everybody out there who has 100 percent confidence in that happening, raise your hand.
Daily News staff
The Daily News wants to hear what you think about the Eagles in the aftermath of every game this season. A selection of the best responses will appear in the Daily News' Birdwatch coverage following the game.
Here are three ways you can contribute:
* By email: We are excited to announce Year 2 of the Daily News Eagles Panel after a successful debut last season. To get involved, send an email to dnsports@phillynews.com within two hours after each game (one hour for prime time games), with no more than 200 words. Please include your name and hometown.
Daily News staff
Given the lockout, the quality of play at the start of the NFL season remains an open question.
Ron Jaworski said the other day that he thought it would take 3-4 weeks for teams to get to the usual high quality. Juan Castillo said the difference early in the season will be which teams are in the best condition. Others have said the teams with the edge will be the ones with limited turnover in the coaching staff and experienced quarterbacks.
The Eagles are 5-7 in season openers under Andy Reid, having had success recently after struggling early in his tenure.
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
The Eagles completed their final real practice before flying to St. Louis for Sunday's season opener, affirming that they are ready to get going on their Super Bowl quest.
Eagles coach Andy Reid said the only injury of note was backup quarterback Vince Young's hamstring. Reid said Young took some snaps today but is listed as "doubtful." It will be interesting to see, with the third quarterback now a fully active spot, whether the Eagles dress Young on the theory that he could at least hand the ball off if their other two QBs had to leave the game, or if they just dress an extra player at another position and figure Jason Avant can be an emergency third QB.
Quarterback Michael Vick said it is "going to be great to be back out there ... We didn't even know if we were going to have a season a couple of months back; now we're in a position to go out and play in front of the world. This is the greatest game on earth. We get an opportunity to give the fans what they want to see. The NFL is back."
Philly.com Sports
Video: The Eagles begin a season of high expecations with a Week 1 matchup against the Rams. The Daily News' Les Bowen previews the game with Cinesport's Tara Petrolino.
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
Here is our weekly look at the five things we will be watching during the Eagles game:
1. Communicating In the Dome. The center (Jason Kelce) is a rookie. The right guard (Kyle DeVan) has been with the team for less than a week. The right tackle (Todd Herremans) was the left guard until two weeks ago. Now, a unit that still is getting used to each other will try to keep Michael Vick safe and secure in the noisy Edward Jones Dome. Mission Impossible?
2. Men In the Middle. The Eagles beefed up their pass rush and their secondary, but questions remain about their linebacking corps. They will start a fourth-round rookie (Clay Matthews) at middle linebacker Sunday, and their two outside ‘backers – Jamar Chaney and Moise Fokous – are playing positions they’ve never played before. They also will play another rookie LB – sixth-rounder Brian Rolle – in their nickel package.
