THINKS THE EAGLES STOLE ONE
IRVING, Texas - Eagles coach Andy Reid was armed with his red flag, but he never pulled the trigger.
It looked as if he probably should have.
The play in question came on the Eagles' first offensive series last night against the Dallas Cowboys when quarterback Donovan McNabb fired a pass to rookie DeSean Jackson that, if complete, was good for a first down.
The pass was ruled incomplete, but it appeared on the replay that it should have been ruled a completion and a fumble. After the fumble, Eagles receiver Hank Baskett came up with the ball in the end zone.
If the Eagles would have won a challenge, they would have been given the first down but not a touchdown, because the officials had ruled the play an incompletion. At worst, however, it was going to cost the Eagles a time-out to challenge the play, and it seemed like a worthwhile risk.
Instead, Reid held on to the red flag and sent David Akers in to kick a 34-yard field goal that gave the Eagles a 3-0 lead.
A defensive TD. The Eagles' defensive touchdown in the second quarter surpassed their entire total for last season, when they had none.
Their last defensive touchdown came against the Giants on Dec. 17, 2006, when defensive end Trent Cole scored after intercepting an Eli Manning pass.
Chris Gocong got credit for the score after Brian Dawkins forced a fumble by Tony Romo in the end zone. The play was botched from the beginning by Romo, who initially dropped the football trying to hand it off to Marion Barber.
Andrews injured. The Eagles played the second half without Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews who injured his back in the first half. Max Jean-Gilles replaced Andrews.
Rookie defensive tackle Trevor Laws left in the second quarter with a quad injury and fullback Tony Hunt left in the same quarter with a hamstring injury.
Brown out again. Reggie Brown's return to the field will have to wait.
After Reid showed optimism about Brown's playing, the team decided it would be best if the fourth-year receiver waited at least one more week before returning from a strained left hamstring.
It marked the second straight game the Eagles played without Brown and Kevin Curtis, the two projected starters when training camp opened. The starters for the second straight game were rookie DeSean Jackson and third-year receiver Hank Baskett.
Even though Brown did not return, it appears as if he will be ready to play when the Eagles go against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Brown participated in the pregame warm-ups, catching passes from McNabb.
It did not appear as if Brown has had any setback from the hamstring injury, which he suffered in the second preseason game against Carolina. Reid said he was encouraged by Brown's progress after the receiver participated in practice Friday. Brown had never missed a game before this season.
Where's the flag? It appeared that Cowboys safety Patrick Watkins should have been flagged for a late hit on running back Brian Westbrook when he finished his tackle out of bounds on a 6-yard run by the running back. A 15-yard penalty would have given the Eagles the ball at the Dallas 12-yard line on their second offensive possession, but no call was made.
Where's the flag, Part II? On the Eagles' next series, everybody in Texas Stadium saw Cowboys defensive end Jason Hatcher yank Westbrook's face mask. Everybody, that is, except referee Terry McAulay and his officiating crew. Instead of 15 yards and a first down, the Eagles had to settle for no gain. The crew evened things up a few minutes later, when Cowboys cornerback Anthony Henry was flagged for pass interference in the end zone when it was clear the call should have gone against Eagles receiver Greg Lewis.
T.O. and Jerry. Terrell Owens' 72-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, which came after cornerback Lito Sheppard bit on a pump fake by Romo, was the 131st receiving touchdown of his career. Only the legendary Jerry Rice has more career touchdown receptions with 197.
Extra points. In addition to Curtis and Brown, the Eagles' other inactive players were linebacker Joe Mays, defensive ends Victor Abiamiri and Bryan Smith, offensive tackle Winston Justice, and guard Mike McGlynn.
The Eagles were slated to take a charter flight home last night and have today off before returning to practice tomorrow in preparation for Sunday's game against the Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. It will be the first time the Steelers have played a regular-season game at the Linc and their first game at Philadelphia since 1997.
