Spying can work if the right plays are relayed

AFTER THE PHILLIES were busted in 2010 for using binoculars in the bullpen, Jayson Werth dismissed allegations of sign-stealing thus:

"All it takes is for you, as a hitter, to be given the wrong sign once. Then, you never take a stolen sign again."

After former Eagles and current Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb crowed on a radio show Tuesday about stealing signals and calling out plays to the defense from the sideline Sunday, Eagles defensive lineman Derek Landri concurred with Werth's logic.

"It works both ways. It might be helpful, but at other times it might be injurious," Landri said. "If he says one thing, and another thing's done, it screws the whole system up."

Eagles receiver Jason Avant said he heard Kolb during the Eagles' 2-minute drill. Kolb has turf-toe and did not play. Avant said that Kolb's information generally was correct, but that it was not effective.

The Eagles scored their only offensive touchdown when they used the 2-minute drill at the end of the first half.

They moved the ball 25 yards when they used it near the end of the game, before Michael Vick overthrew Steve Smith and was intercepted. Smith had one-on-one coverage.

Avant noted that, like Kolb, former Eagles receivers Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis called out plays from the sideline when the Vikings beat the Eagles last season. Like Kolb, they were usually right.

"It didn't help either time," Avant said. "The plays were still there to be made. [Receivers] can alter their routes and things like that."

It should be noted that cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, whom the Eagles received in the Kolb trade, did the same thing Kolb did . . . except DRC was able to actually help coach the defense on the field after the Cardinals broke their huddle and came to the line of scrimmage.

"I gave them a scouting report. Guys told me it really helped them out," he said. "I was very accurate. And I told them what they would get out of every receiver. Guys knew what was coming."

Aided by DRC, the Eagles allowed the Cardinals just seven points (with two missed field goals) in the first half.

DRC sprained his right ankle on the opening kickoff of the second half. He did not return.

The Cardinals scored two TDs in the second half.