In that game, the 32-year-old Trotter was pressed into the lineup late when Omar Gaither injured his foot. Even the Raiders, certainly not the sharpest tools in the NFL shed, knew to call their throw-it-at-the-32-year-old-linebacker-with-the-bad-knees play. And they did, converting a game-clinching third down in the Eagles' 13-9 defeat.

The Bears' circumstances were different - they were trailing - but they needed a big play and they knew whom they could pick on. Or so they thought. Facing second and 12 with 4 minutes, 42 seconds left, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler hit Matt Forte coming out of the backfield and across the middle. Trotter chased the running back.

In the Oakland game, there were two forgettable images - among many - that somehow can't be forgotten. One was of Trotter flailing at the heels of Raiders tight end Zach Miller as he burned past the linebacker on the way to an 86-yard score. The other was of Greg Russell outrunning Trotter for a first down, thus securing the upset.

But something had changed in a month and it was evident as Trotter snatched all of the middle linebacker responsibilities from Joe Mays in the second half: The veteran was running faster. He kept pace with Forte and dragged him down after a 7-yard gain, setting up third and long.

Eagles coach Andy Reid explained the decision to go with Trotter in crunch time.

"Trot, he's willing to do anything," he said yesterday. "You see him out there on special teams, he doesn't care. He just wants to play and help any way he can. I think the players respect that. They all know he's old, but they also know that he's built quite a resumé over his years in the league."

There's no denying Trotter's leadership, but Mays' shaky play had just as much to do with the change. Even though Trotter started the game, Mays handled the majority of plays in the middle. Last week's practice repetitions suggested as much, and even though Reid was coy about his personnel, Mays was getting a shot upon returning to his hometown.

He started off fine. On Chicago's first drive, Mays fended off a block and dropped Forte for a 1-yard loss. But it spiraled down from there for the second-year pro, who prides himself on being a downhill tackler.

That mentality, however, has been part of the problem. During the Bears' second possession, Mays read a handoff to fullback Jason McKie, even though there was no fake, and over-pursued Forte, who gained 5 yards. Later, he tried to fill a gap, but ran too hard, was sealed by Chicago guard Josh Beekman, and a hole opened for Kahlil Bell.

Bell's 72-yard burst wasn't all Mays' fault. A blitz from Chris Gocong and Quintin Mikell was picked up, and weakside linebacker Will Witherspoon was mauled on a textbook block from McKie.

But there was a play on the Bears' second drive of the third quarter that was his fault. On first down, Cutler dropped back, but did not fake. Mays stepped in for some reason, and when receiver Earl Bennett ran out of the backfield and by him, the linebacker reacted way too late. Cutler hit his man for a 23-yard completion.

"That wasn't just Joe, but there was a throw that he'd probably like to have back there," Reid said. "That's not why" he was taken out.

Nevertheless, Mays never played another down with the defense. He still chipped in on special teams and contributed to perhaps the game's pivotal play. With Chicago looking to pad its 20-17 lead with a 48-yard field goal, Mays helped push Antonio Dixon through the Bears' protection. Dixon blocked the kick and the Eagles scored the go-ahead touchdown on the ensuing drive.

Trotter, meanwhile, looked better than he had since returning to the team in October. This is not to say he's anywhere close to his old self or even worthy of starting. The Eagles have been ravaged at middle linebacker since Stewart Bradley tore his ACL and when Akeem Jordan returns from a knee injury, Witherspoon will likely move back into the middle.

But Trotter was finally able to drop his ax in the first quarter with a run stop and he played a key part as the defense kept the Bears scoreless in the fourth quarter.

"He's a leader and he's a warrior," Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "He's a lion in there for us and that's what we need, and that's what he gave us."

Contact staff writer Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745 or jmclane@phillynews.com.