Posted: Friday, September 26, 2008, 12:12 PM | 7 comments |
 

MCNABB PRACTICES, WESTBROOK DOESN'T
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Quarterback Donovan McNabb was back running the first-team offense this morning at Eagles practice, which means he'll likely be ready to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

Both McNabb (chest contusion) and running back Brian Westbrook (strained right ankle) were listed as questionable on the Eagles' injury report after practice. Westbrook, however, did not participate in practice. Westbrook still had a slight gimp in his walk Thursday inside the locker room, but he is the player on the Eagles' roster most experienced at missing an entire week of practice and still being able to play in the game. Westbrook missed the practice week on a number of occasions last year because of a sore knee and still played in games.

Tight end L.J. Smith (lower back pain) also missed practice for the third straight day. Unlike Westbrook, Smith was in attendance at practice, but his status is listed as doubtful for Sunday. Guard Shawn Andrews (lower back) missed practice again and is also listed as doubtful. 

McNabb, according to Inquirer reporter Joe Juliano, looked fine throwing the football inside the NovaCare Complex practice bubble. McNabb said Wednesday he expected to be ready for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.

If Westbrook is unable to play, Correll Buckhalter will start at tailback. Smith would be replaced in the lineup by second-year tight end Brent Celek and third-year guard Max Jean-Gilles will likely make his second straight start at right guard in place of Andrews.

The Eagles piped in crowd noise in preparation for Sunday's game at Soldier Field.

 
Posted by Bob Brookover @ 12:12 PM  Permalink | 7 comments
7
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:20 PM, 09/26/2008
    Good thing LJ is just a spectator. He wont drop any passes, fumble after a catch, whiff on blocks, etc.
    — shoeshineboy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:09 PM, 09/26/2008
    I really liked the analysis in the paper the other day that pointed out that LJ was used in quite a few sets as a blocker, and did a decent job at it. When this guy is right, he can be effective catching and blocking. And as much as I like Celek catching the ball, he can't get downfield as fast as LJ, and he isn't as good blocking. (Remember he was a STAR pass catcher in college, so wasn't used to blocking.) Let's give this guy a chance this year OK folks? We can always lynch him after the season anyway.
    — TBear
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:42 PM, 09/26/2008
    "Lynch" is not the best term to use, but overall I agree with your sentiment. This offense is predicated on using multiple weapons - so long as LJ takes advantage of the few opportunities he gets each game (and granted, sometimes he does not), I'm fine with him. Sure, he's not Jason Witten - but who is? Witten is arguably the best TE in the game.
    — tjc
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:46 PM, 09/26/2008
    I know it's not the popular opinion in town, but give LJ a break. Our offense has been better with him in the lineup (and healthy). I got challenged on that earlier, but just look at our red zone production last year vs. the previous year when he was healthy. The season is still young. Everyone, give him a chance to get up to speed, and into his game. I bet he'll surprise some folks. Andy Reid is a pretty good judge of talent, and he's using him instead of Celek. There must be a good reason.
    — dlscholt
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:11 PM, 09/26/2008
    Sorry, but LJ has had many chances to be the tight end the Eagles need in this offense and he has not delivered consistently. LJ reminds me of Shockey minus the attitude...does not meet expectations.
    — JBP
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:19 PM, 09/26/2008
    I think LJ is just the fan whipping boy at the moment. I haven't seen anyone actually break down an argument to show that he's really playing that bad, it's usually just incredible insights like "LJ stinks" or comments like that. The people that have actually taken the time to really break down his performance have generally come to the conclusion that he's not playing THAT bad, from what I've seen so far. About Westbrook, did anyone really think he would practice this week? Even if he's able to practice, Reid isn't going to waste even 1 snap for Westbrook on practice. Westbrook can go an entire week without practice and still play at an All-Pro level, he's done it before as was mentioned in the article. It will all come down to Sunday afternoon whether he's physically able to go or not. Nothing about his practice or lack of practice this week really sheds any light on whether he'll play. On the other hand, it looks like Andrews is definitely going to miss the game and probably LJ too.
    — JimG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:17 PM, 09/26/2008
    AMONG OTHER DROPPED PASSES THIS YEAR THE ONE THAT STANDS OUT IS FIRST OFFENSIVE PLAY AGAINST DALLAS. L J NOT ONLY WIFFED ON THE PASS BUT LOOKED AT MCNABB AS TO SAY "WHAT THE HELL YOU DOING". IN COMPARISION CELEK'S FIRST ATTEMPT DURNING THE GAME WAS A CATCH FOR A FIRST DOWN AND ABOUT A 15 YARD GAIN. NOT THAT L J STINKS BUT HE'S NOT VERY GOOD ANYMORE AND WHINES A LOT WITH A SMIRK. THIS GIVE HIM A CHANCE THING I'M READING DOESN'T FLY. HE'S A PRO BEING PAID AS A TOP FIVE TE AND HIS PRODUCTION THIS SEASON IS ABOUT NIL. O.K., HE CAUGHT A TOUGH PASS FOR A TD AGAINST THE RAMS. SINCE THAT TIME HE'S BECOME INVISIBLE AND INJURED. I THINK FANS WILL FIND OUT CELEK CAN PLAY AT A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL THAN SMITH. HE HAS FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW.
    — JACK V


7 comments
About Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari






Jeff McLane (left) began covering the Eagles in April 2009 after covering college sports and Penn State football in particular. Before that he wrote about high school sports and before that he worked in the mailroom (not quite). Find Jeff on Facebook and follow him on Twitter for instant updates on the Eagles.

Jonathan Tamari (right) began covering the Eagles in April 2010. He previously covered New Jersey state government and politics, reporting and writing about elections, policy debates and the many personalities that drive the Garden State, from three recent governors to the many musicians bidding to write the state song. He has been at the Inquirer since June 2008. Follow him on Twitter at @JonathanTamari.

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