Matthews: Linc Fans Harassed Family
Eagles linebacker Casey Matthews, mainly a special teams player in recent weeks, confirmed after practice that he will work in the nickel this week at Miami, along with Keenan Clayton.
Matthews: Linc Fans Harassed Family
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Eagles linebacker Casey Matthews, mainly a special teams player in recent weeks, confirmed after practice that he will work in the nickel this week at Miami, along with Keenan Clayton.
Matthews, a fourth-round rookie, said he was eager to get another chance after losing starting roles in the middle and on the weakside. Toward the end of the interview, he was asked about winning over Eagles fans, who reacted with vitriol to his early struggles.
"I'm trying to," Matthews said. "It's hard. One of the earlier games, they harassed my family and made my fiancee cry. It's tough. It's frustrating. That's just how they are here. If you win they love you, so I guess we've just got to turn things around and just start winning again."
Matthews said his fiancee was wearing his jersey, making her easily identifiable. He said she was with "my aunt and my little cousin."
Matthews is the latest straw cluched at by the defensive coaches, who literally have tried every linebacker on the roster in a starting or nickel role, except for Greg Lloyd, promoted recently from the practice squad.
Matthews said he was able to "sit back and get an actual grasp of the defense" after Brian Rolle took his weakside job. Matthews was named the starting middle linebacker in training camp, wiothout ever having taken a snap.
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Two surgery updates from the Eagles: Sfety Colt Anderson underwent an ACL reconstruction and partial meniscectomies in his left knee by Eagles orthopedist Peter DeLuca, of the Rothman Institute.
Linebacker Moise Fokou underwent a repair of his high right ankle sprain by Dr. Steven Raikin, of the Rothman Institute. Fokou’s surgery was performed at Jefferson at the Navy Yard.
Anderson was injured at Seattle on Dec. 1, while Fokou suffered his injury vs. New England on Nov. 27. Both players are currently on the Injured Reserve list.
This guy was set up to fail by the Eagles Brain tRust. Don't take your frustrations out on him. I don't think even brother Clay could shine in this three-ring circus.— dasher- I feel bad for the guy. Beagles fans are the lowest common denominator. The lowest class of people on Earth. You'd find people with more manners, respect, and integrity in a trailer park in Oklahoma. Beagles fans are like cave people. They're ignorant. They're dirty. They have filthy mouths. I always say, if you want to find the single largest collection of a--howles anywhere on Earth in one spot, go to the Linc on game days. — bushmciworlcomenron
- He was never that good at Oregon. He is the typical Reid overdrafted player. Andy drafted him on his bloodline not his ability. Not all family genes are the same. Sometimes you get a mutt. — The Marco Islander
- Basically the same thing I was going to say. Andy Reid set this kid up. He still has potential but he's not a MLB and never should have been put out there like Reid di. I hope his confidence isn't totally screwed up and he keeps working hard.— Unstable1
- A bunch of tough guys yelling at two women and a little boy.— ERColt
- Harassing someone's family and fiance is totally low rent. It is an embarrassment to Philadelphia. Apologies would be in order if the people who did this could remember after their blackout.— johnny eagle
- The best total responses ever. Good going, guys.— 2smart4philly
- Any fan who takes his frustrations out on a players family should be real proud of himself, takes a real man to do that kind of thing. There are (for want of a better word) idiots born every minute, and we have our share of them at Eagles games, there should be officers stationed where team tickets are located, and these idiots should be at least escorted out of the facility, just sayin'...— DJ
- uncalled for esp with kids around. The majority of fans are probably fine but you cant always account for the meatheads that dont know any better, add in alcohol and manners are out the door. Thats unfortunate, at least his reply was reasoned unlike his last jab at fans. This is on Castillo, the friend hire, in turn hurting players, nice hire Andy. We scratched our heads when it was announced and were well justified in our doubts, you on the other hand placed loyalty above merit. Look no further than Wade Phillips in Houston, same players for the most part, from worst to 1st in D. Coaching matters— peteike
- We are looking for a strong safety....this kid can run and there is no lack of desire on his part. Plus when he gets a chance he is a banger. Give him a shot there....nothing else has worked since they forced Dawk to walk. Andy is a bozo at personnel issues!— jakster
- Look at the bright side: at least they didn't intentionally throw up on them.— postcynic
- "They" arent like that here. A few are.— tr88
- Fantastical POSTCYNIC— Clarkeisgod
- How about don't bring your family to the game, simple enough. Or other fans around them should have told the unruly fans to grow up...people get picked on all the time in life, you don't like it, do something about it, or go move out to the countryside. but don't cry to the media about it like a sissy— jamarder
