Birds, Jags Take Heat off Andy
Updating: Michael Vick has indeed been as good as he was last week, even if it took him a while to get going, and aided by a who-cares effort from the host Jacksonville Jaguars, the Eagles are rolling to a victory that will substantially turn down the heat on head coach Andy Reid for abruptly changing quarterbacks last week.
Birds, Jags Take Heat off Andy
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Updating: Michael Vick has indeed been as good as he was last week, even if it took him a while to get going, and aided by a who-cares effort from the host Jacksonville Jaguars, the Eagles are rolling to a victory that will substantially turn down the heat on head coach Andy Reid for abruptly changing quarterbacks last week.
The Birds are up 28-3 as the minutes tick down -- the first time they've held an opponent without a TD since the finale of the 2008 season, the playoff-clinching 44-6 win over Dallas
Wideouts Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson have a combined nine catches for 236 yards and 3 TDs. Watching the Jags' offense, maybe their defense just doesn't get much practice against the "passing' business.
The only fly in the ointment right now is an ankle injury to linebacker Ernie Sims, who has gone for X-rays.
Vick is 17 for 31 for 291 yards and three TDs.
Earlier: A frustrating offensive first half of fits and starts ended with a masterful Michael Vick-led Eagles touchdown drive, 53 yards in seven plays, the Birds with no timeouts to use after usuccessfully challenging a spot on a fourth-down run the previous drive.
Vick needed just 1:33 of the 1:37 he had on the clock, finding Jeremy Maclin alone in the end zone for a 14-3 Eagles lead, Vick striking from 16 yards, throwing right after looking left, with good protection, something he hasn't always enjoyed today.
In fact, in the second quarter, Reggie Wells replaced Nick Cole at right guard; Cole was struggling with former Temple d-lineman Terrance Knighton.
Vick was 10 for 21 for 161 yards and 2 TDs, duplicating his 105.5 season's passer rating in the first half. But the bigger story for the Birds might have been their defense, which came in having allowed an NFL-high 59 points in two games. Jacksonville netted just 69 first-half yards and a 51-yard field goal.
Earlier: The Eagles were struggling toward a second successive punt when, on third and 16, Michael Vick had all day to throw -- one snap after being sacked by ex-Temple Owl Terrance Knighton -- and found DeSean Jackson on a deep corssing pattern. Jackson made the cut up the right sideline and was gone for a 7-0 Eagles lead.
Earlier: Eagles inactives are up and Omar Gaither will sit this one out. Gaither, of course, stepped in for Stewart Bradley at middle linebacker last week and was wildly inconsistent, like most Eagles defenders. But no one from the team had anything but praise for him afterward.
Also inactive today are corner Trevard Lindley, DE Antwan Barnes, meaning Darryl Tapp, as we noted Saturday, finally will make his Eagles debut, DE Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, OL Austin Howard, TE Clay Harbor, and LB Keenan Clayton.
I sincerely hope a reporter follows up a post-game conference question with "Cross your fingers and hope to die?" or "Swear it on your mother's grave?" Anything to prevent Reid from sucking all the air out of the room with his deadly monotone, which would be tolerable if the words could be trusted.— p-diddy
I wanna see some more of Austin Howard-the guy's a pancake machine!! Too bad he's not playing...— kjuggs77- Wow, what a terrible call against the Jags right at the 2 minute warning in the 2Q. Personal foul? Beagles always get these horrible calls their way.— RightWingHypocrite
- The Eagles looked good. But what about the Jaguars? A "who cares" effort is an apt description. They were hideous. Even after going down 21-3 in the 4th quarter, they refused to pass the ball.— p-diddy
Without McNabb, Westbrook and now Vick, Reid's offense is woeful.- Why should the heat be on Andy? His job is to win footbal games.— lgeagles
