THAT'S SAYING THUMBTHING

Thumbs down I

To former Eagles offensive tackle-turned-aspiring television analyst Tra Thomas. Back when he played, Thomas seldom was a guy reporters turned to in the locker room for honest answers or comment. He usually couldn't be bothered to talk to you. But lo and behold, there he is every Friday on Comcast SportsNet, a regular Chatty Cathy, attempting to provide insight into his former team, now that somebody is willing to give him a few bucks to do it.

Thumbs down II

To former journeyman quarterback and current ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer, who called Vikings coach Brad Childress "unprofessional" last Sunday night for having the audacity to criticize Brett Favre for his careless play in the Vikes' 28-24 loss to the Packers. Favre threw three second-half interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown and another that set up a score. "You can't throw it to them," Childress said in his postgame news conference. "You have to play within the confines of our system. Sometimes it's OK to punt the football. You can't have seven points the other way, not in a game like that with a high-powered team." Boy, that's really blistering him, huh? C'mon, Trent. Try to keep your man-love for Favre, who already has thrown a league-high 10 interceptions, under control.

Thumbs down III

To the lame effort given by the Eagles' offense on Cortland Finnegan's 41-yard interception return for a touchdown on the final play of Sunday's 37-19 loss to the Titans. Yeah, the play was essentially meaningless unless the Eagles get involved in a playoff tiebreaker that comes down to point-differential, which is unlikely. But it would've been nice to see somebody at least try to stop him.

- Paul Domowitch