Samuel misses practice; Mornhinweg eyes Ratliff
Asante Samuel was not practicing Thursday, a bad sign for his availability Sunday. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has his eyes on the middle of the Cowboys line, and big nose tackle Jay Ratliff.
Samuel misses practice; Mornhinweg eyes Ratliff
Jonathan Tamari and Jeff McLane
Asante Samuel sat out Eagles practice Thursday, a bad sign for his availability Sunday. He watched a portion of practice from the sideline, but then left.
"His knee's sore," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He had it checked out and there's nothing structurally wrong."
Reid would not rule out the cornerback for the Cowboys game. Samuel has a knee sprain that has caused him to miss the last two games. He was unavailable for comment.
Samuel was limited Wednesday and was seen after practice walking with a limp and a large pack of ice on his knee.
Winston Justice (knee) was also listed as out from Thursday's practice. It was the second straight day in a row that the tackle missed practice.
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As the Eagles offense aims for an improved showing in Dallas, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has his eyes on the middle of the Cowboys line, and big nose tackle Jay Ratliff.
"Ratliff is a special player, and they've got several," said offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. "Ratliff chews people up."
Last year Ratliff faced off against Nick Cole, then in his second game at center as he filled in for the injured Jamaal Jackson. The big nose tackle didn't make it onto the stat sheet, but he was a disruptive presence.
"We had Nick – second game at center – we had some problems there. Not with Nick. Nick played pretty well, but we were just off a little bit," Mornhinweg said. He said the crowd noise was a big factor.
This year the task of handling Ratliff will fall largely on Mike McGlynn. He didn't talk to reporters this morning, though.
But Mornhinweg noted that the Eagles have had success against Dallas in the past, and says he looks forward to facing a 3-4 defense, despite an impression by some that his offense struggles against the versatile formation.
"We love the 3-4," Mornhinweg said. He said his offense was built at a time when many teams played 3-4, so, according to Mornhinweg, the scheme is suited to counter the defensive look.
He also credited the Cowboys front seven, though.
"They create some challenges for us, starting with their men that play on the line, including the linebackers," Mornhinweg said.
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When the Cowboys have the ball, defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said Dallas has run more with Jason Garrett in charge than before.
"They're trying to balance out their offense a little more," said defensive end Darryl Tapp, adding that the change might also be related to the Cowboys loss of starter Tony Romo.
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Defensive end Trent Cole confirmed that he was fined $20,000 for a low hit on Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. Cole said he was blocked into Schaub and plans to appeal.
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Ratliff is indeed special, as is Ware. Let's make them look a little less special.— tacklinjoe- Samuel, WTF!? Sounds like Mr. Softee.— n62
Samuel=wimpy.wimpy,wimpy.....he wont tackle anyone to save his life.- hey boltthrower, sweet name by the way, I hope you weren't cheering for Asante when he was picking of his league leading interceptions this year...because that would just make you look like a fool based on your comment there.— EaglesBleedMoney
- His knee is swelling.
I'd prefer to bring back Samuel as healthy as possible, for later in the season when we really need him. 4-8 Dez Bryantless Dallas can wait IMO, but hopefully he can still play. - boltthrower= dummy, dummy, dummy...you won't write anything that is worth reading..smarten up DOPE!— montymiller
- boltthrower= dummy, dummy, dummy...you won't write anything that is worth reading..smarten up DOPE!— montymiller
- I AM TIRED OF THIS SAMUEL NOT PRACTICING BS. HE BETTER BE ON THE FIELD SUNDAY OR I WILL PERSONALLY GO TO HIS HOUSE AND PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE.— brmorgen81
- Theoooooo. A little moment for the Sixer fans out there.— DennyP
- I would dress Samuel for the game, but keep him on the sidelines healing if not needed. The Eagles should/can win at Dallas without Samuel, I'd rather have him for the Giants than the Cowboys. The Eagles can win the tie-breaker by beating the Giants twice, however only need to win 1 out of 2 games with Dallas, because they also beat the Giants.— gditty
- The bare facts are these: We need to win three of four to get the division title. We will be able to absorb this (probable) loss and keep on marching. We will have the Vikes and the Cowpatties at home. The HUGE game will be against the Giants NEXT week. If we lose that one, it won't matter WHAT we do, the Giants will be in control. I am quite sure Andy will want ALL of his troops healthy (Samuel and Justice) to face the Giants in the biggest game of the year. The D will HAVE to come up with some big stops, and V-7 will need to put up 30 points to win THAT one. I don't expect Samuel or Justice to be forced into this Sunday's game just to try and beat the damn Cowpatties at their place. But we might NEED to beat them at OUR place in the last regular season game. FLY IGGLES FLY!!!— TBear
- with Samuel not talking about his injury, something is wrong far worse than has been let on. Why do I get the feeling that he is not coming back at all this year?— bradco
- All these wannabe doctors and nostrodamus impersonaters, you don't know what's going to happen till it does, despite the infinite amounts of wisdom you have as seen in your ridiculous posts. Samuel is not wimpy, nor would brmorgen81 punch him in the face without getting dropped like 3rd period french. Root for the team or get a life, your dribble is wearing out the rest of us.— Bleue
- F the cowpies.— mrjarn
- This is the exciting part of the season. GO EAGLES!— Tonygh12
