What to watch in Eagles-Colts game
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What to watch in Eagles-Colts game
Les Bowen
What to watch in Thursday night's Eagles-Colts game in Indianapolis:
1. Riding with the King: Somehow, the Eagles’ convoluted offensive line injury picture has left King Dunlap as the starting left tackle against the Colts. You might remember the King as last year’s interesting seventh-round project, a 6-8, 310-pound former Auburn enigma who has long arms and quick feet. Spent last year on IR with a lingering ankle problem. Hasn’t made a huge impact in this camp; for an offensive lineman, it might actually be possible to be too tall. Leverage is kind of a big deal there.
2. Special emphasis: For all of Ted Daisher’s insistent drilling, the Birds’ special teams were the same familiar mixed bag in last week’s preseason opener. Some nice returns. A muffed punt by rookie Jeremy Maclin. A 75-yard punt return touchdown for the Pats. A blocked Eagles field goal, and a missed field goal at the end that would have won the game. Granted, lots of the guys running down the field right now won’t be on the team for the season opener. But consistency would be nice.
3. Kaiser Wilhelm: With Omar Gaither sidelined by a knee sprain, Joe Mays and Matt Wilhelm should get most of the middle linebacking work. Of course, it’s important to keep an eye on Mays, who more or less inherited the starting job when Stewart Bradley went down for the season. But the Birds signed Wilhelm because he’s a veteran with the size Mays lacks; even though he’s trying to learn one of the toughest positions in a complex defense on the fly, the braintrust has made it clear Wilhelm has an opening here. It will be interesting to see what he does with it.
Did Vick buy his house in Bryn Mawr yet? Do his neighbors own dogs?— Dr. Michael- Why are my comments being removed?— Dr. Michael
- Hey: This is what pre-season is about. Play the guys who don't play much and see what they can do.— mungman
King Dunlap...such an awesome name...sounds like something out of Mike Tyson's Punchout!— kjuggs77
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- i seen the poll on how the eagles should use mike vick. i say use him in any way he feels he can help this team.he's a qb,naturally, but he can run,but why waste him in the backfield? let him be a slot reciever..yeah....maybe the go route ,or crossing patterns. or use mc'nabb as a tight end and vick hits him on short routes or vise versa. but give him some work......lets go eagles all the nfl eyes will be watching— teephilly76
- tacklinjoe - to look at them it would appear that they haven't missed too many meals. Particularly Gilles and Cole.— CarpGuy
- why aren't we blowing up Runyan's phone like Brad Childress blew up Favre's?— TheChairman04
- Old King Cole dispensing some Justice! Looks like we'll be putting our newly acquired FB in for protection every down.
- The "too tall" is just an excuse! The comparison of 6'8" Dunlop to 6'7" Runyon buries that theory! Just ability and drive! Runyon had it...beyond the whistle!— nickd
