Redskins wary of the Eagles

ASHBURN, Va. - The Eagles may be getting roasted by the local and national media for their 1-4 start, but you won't hear any of that in the Washington Redskins locker room.

The 3-1 Redskins see the Eagles as a team that hasn't put it together but remains dangerous.

They also said that their 59-28 pummeling by the Birds at FedEx field last year on Monday Night Football won't add any incentive.

The Redskins are just looking to win another game.

"They have athletes who do good things, and it will be a big challenge," tight end Chris Cooley said. "I am not saying that because we said that in our team meeting. I'm saying that because I watch film."

What Cooley has seen on film is an Eagles defense that he says is talented but unsound.

"By that I mean being out of position on some plays, and that isn't unusual for a first-year defense," he said, alluding to the unit under new coordinator Juan Castillo. "I think the reason offenses have been able to throw for so many yards is because defenses are reactive and a lot of teams haven't had time to react the way they want as a team."

Cooley is anticipating that the Eagles will begin reacting favorably.

"You can't say just because they haven't been good in their gaps that they won't [be good] this week," he said. "We assume they will."

Safety LaRon Landry admitted that last year's pasting hurt, but as far as he's concerned it's ancient history.

"Last year was last year, and this is a new year," said Landry, who had nine tackles in the game. "We think we learned from last year."

What they learned was that they don't want to go through that again.

"For me I was embarrassed last year, but I won't show up saying that I want revenge," Cooley said. "We play the Eagles twice a year, and what I want is to play good football."

In last year's rout, Michael Vick threw for 333 yards and four touchdown passes, and ran for 80 yards and two scores.

As with most Eagles opponents, Vick occupies a large part of the pregame conversation. Even though Vick has thrown seven interceptions and lost three fumbles this season, the Redskins understand that his ability to keep plays alive is among his most dangerous traits.

"Most plays last four-plus seconds at the most, but with this guy it can last 10 seconds," Redskins corner Josh Wilson said. "He can run around a long time and then throw and you have to make sure you have your eyes on him."

Then, laughing, the former Baltimore Raven added: "I will have my track shoes on."

The Redskins' wins have come over the New York Giants, Arizona, and St. Louis, teams with a combined 4-10 record. So complacency won't be a problem against the Eagles.

"We are playing good football, but we're not blowing teams out by any means," Cooley said. ". . . The Eagles have had quality teams since I've been in high school. They are a good team."

Former Eagle thrives. Punter Sav Rocca has been a free agent find for the Redskins. He is tied for first in the NFL with Seattle's Jon Ryan with 12 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

Rocca said he was surprised at his former team's slow start.

"Having all those name players and guys who played in the Pro Bowl, you would have thought they would have done a little better, and soon enough they will start to pick up their game," Rocca said. "We have to make sure their winning doesn't happen until after they play us."

He conceded that this week's game takes on added significance for him.

"You want to win whenever you can, but I would say against Philly it's a little bit more," he said.