L.J. STILL THE STARTER
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
L.J. STILL THE STARTER
Bob Brookover
Eagles coach Andy Reid anticipated the obvious question: Why can't L.J. Smith do what second-year tight end Brent Celek did Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks?
"L.J. attracts so much attention," the Eagles' coach said during his day-after news conference following the Eagles' 26-7 win in Seattle. "Celek comes in and he's kind of an unknown guy and so there were times they didn't do a great job of covering him. I'm not taking anything away from him because I thought he played his heart out."
Celek finished with 131 yards on six catches, a regular-season franchise record for a tight end.
"When he had man-to-man (coverage), which he had three of those, he just dominated there," Reid said. "He did a great job. But I know what the obvious question is and it has nothing to do with L.J.'s play. L.J. is one of those guys that everybody talks about and the other team is very aware of. They make sure they have one guy on him at all times and sometimes two men."
The other obvious questiion, of course, is whether Celek will start Sunday against the New York Giants even if Smith has recovered from the concussion that kept him out of the Seattle game.
"L.J. is the starter when he comes back," Reid said. "Hopefully, it works out with his (concussion). L.J. is a Pro Bowl player and people pay a lot of attention to him because of that. Celek stepped in and played at that level, too."
INJURY REPORT. Reid said cornerback Lito Sheppard has a strained groin and probably won't be able to practice Wednesday when the Eagles begin on-field preparations for their game against the New York Giants. Sheppard suffered the injury in the first half of yesterday's game against Seattle and did not return.
Guard Shawn Andrews, who underwent back surgery in Southern California two weeks ago, is being evaluated again today by his surgeon Robert Watkins. If all goes well, Reid said Andrews could be released to return to Philadelphia today.
Reid said Jason Avant, who missed yesterday's game with an arm injury, will likely be able to practice Wednesday.
Unfortunately, it's unlikely that Reid will be acquiring a top flight time any time soon. In the NFL the most effective tight ends do most of their damage off of play action. Every great tight end is/has been a product of a team that has a healthy commitment to the run game (Gonzales w/ KC, Gates w/ SD, Dallas Clark w/ IND, even Shannon Sharpe in the day w/ DEN & BAL). Because his base formation is 4 wide and the run is an afterthought, the only way Reid will commit resources to a tight end is if he doubles as a long snapper or a morman chappel leader like Chad Lewis. This problem is symptematic of Reid's refusal to have any balance in the offense.- LJ Smith = Adam Eaton......looks good in the uniform, but no substance......both have battled numerous injuries and just don't have it anymore......other teams plan for him? Are you kidding me? He may be great for our running game but aren't we a pass 1st, 2nd and 3rd team? So why do we have him? Somebody get Andy off the meds his kid was selling, please.........— Mark1npt
Herremans looked better than Smith.- L J must go— Huge
- I hope LJ has a season ending injury next time he steps onto the field...dude is trash.— The Blueprint
The posts here about L.J. Smith are right on. Despite Andy's disingenuous comment, Smith's invisibility and Celek's sudden visibility have little to do with the kind of coverage each gets. They have to do with Celek's hands, head and heart. He outshone L.J. in all three last week and should be given a chance to do so again.- I completely agree with the above comments. Time to let L.J. sit and see what develops of Celek. Celek earned that right on Sunday.
- I have rarely seen a player produce so little and think so highly of himself. It's time to change from "potential" performance to actual performance.— Bobphxville
- Brent Celek plays like Chad Lewis. L.J. Smith plays like Jerry Lewis.— JimCollins
- maybe we can package Reid and LJ and ship them somewhere.....a real mutual admiration society......Reid appears to have no guts when it comes to admionishing any of his players.......His blind loyalty is certainly a character flaw.— ox
- maybe we can package Reid and LJ and ship them somewhere.....a real mutual admiration society......Reid appears to have no guts when it comes to admionishing any of his players.......His blind loyalty is certainly a character flaw.— ox
- Use Alpo LJ Smith as a decoy from tight end. Line Brent Celek behind McNabb as an H-back the same way the Deadskins use Cooley. Cycle BC out into an open seam, or keep him in for a blitz pick-up. Easy pitch and catch for McNabb, and added security against McNabb getting hurt.— ItalianSausage
- Andy Reid clearly didn't major in economics, because he has no concept of sunk costs. LJ must have incriminating pictures of him, theres no other rationale.— main liner
- Andy Reid sucks... but the fan base is not eroding. I don't expect to see too many empty seats on Sunday. Fed up with Reid. Absolutely. Eroding, I don't think so. Tailgates aren't nearly as fun anymore, though.— Florida Frank
- Andy the coach does not have the courage to tell Andy the GM to stop being an apolgist for his picks. 10 years of LJ is enough...it has long since past the time for his potential to be filled. Cut the losses, let him go...Let it go Andy....Your GM screwed up...— nuggett
