LaTunaNostra
11-11-2004, 10:45 PM
Posted on Thu, Nov. 11, 2004
Eagles Notes | Cowboys are pass-happy, too
By Shannon Ryan
Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles' defense would like to prove it can stop the run. That will be difficult to do against the pass-happy Dallas Cowboys on Monday, however.
The Cowboys run the ball just a little more than the Eagles, which isn't saying much. They average just 101.9 rushing yards a game, 10th in the NFC. Through eight games, the Cowboys have gained just 815 yards on the ground.
The Eagles' defense, which allowed the Steelers 252 rushing yards on 56 carries, should not have to worry that the Cowboys will embarrass them as Jerome Bettis did in Pittsburgh's 27-3 win on Sunday.
Until the Eagles consistently shut down runners, there is still something to prove, linebacker Ike Reese said yesterday.
"For the next eight weeks on, everyone's going to be running the ball against the Eagles, until we prove we can stop the run," he said. "When you tackle the way we tackled Sunday, anyone can run the ball."
The Eagles' defense is ranked 27th in the NFL in yards allowed per game (130.6) and 31st in rushing yards per attempt (4.7). The Eagles still must face running backs Clinton Portis (Washington), Tiki Barber (New York Giants) and Rudi Johnson (Cincinnati), all of whom are among the NFL's top 12 ground gainers.
"Baltimore did it and stuck with the run throughout the game," Reese said. "Cleveland stuck with the run. The only difference on Sunday was that the offense didn't score points. In all the other games, the offense moved the ball and we kind of were able to use that as a safety net, lean on them and kind of bail us out of games."
Defensive end Jevon Kearse, who is a pass rusher, had just one tackle against the Steelers. He is tied for third in the NFC with six sacks and has 22 tackles.
Before the Eagles begin to worry about Dallas or playing on Monday night, they need to worry about themselves, Kearse said. If that means he needs to get involved in stopping the run, he is ready. "I've got to keep doing what they brought me here to do," he said.
Offensive woes. The offensive line appeared to get manhandled by the Steelers' defense, which sacked quarterback Donovan McNabb four times. But left guard Artis Hicks said the Eagles were the victims of a mental lapse, even more so than the Steelers' 3-4 defense.
"It's very frustrating," he said. "It's one thing when you get beat legitimately by a good move or something. It's a totally different thing once you're getting beat just because you messed up a call."
Childress leaving? Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress is being mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Miami Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt, who resigned Tuesday after the Dolphins stumbled to a 1-8 start. Childress would be reunited with former Eagles backup quarterback A.J. Feeley in Miami.
Other names being tossed around include former Florida Gators coach Steve Spurrier, Louisiana State's Nick Saban, and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.
Rayburn questionable. After being involved in a car collision Tuesday morning, defensive tackle Sam Rayburn missed practice yesterday and was listed as questionable for Monday night's game. Rayburn's injuries were listed as a concussion and an elbow injury, which was a strain he suffered in the loss to the Steelers. He also was cut on the head in the accident, according to police reports.
Injury update. Kick returner J.R. Reed missed practice again yesterday, after sitting out against Pittsburgh with a hamstring injury. He is listed as doubtful for Dallas. Kicker David Akers (hip) also missed practice and is listed as probable. Offensive guard Jermane Mayberry was back at practice after missing Sunday's game with a calf strain and is questionable.
The following players are listed as probable: safety Brian Dawkins (forearm), linebacker Dhani Jones (ankle), wide receiver Todd Pinkston (knee), tackle Jon Runyan (groin), defensive tackle Corey Simon (calf), tight end L.J. Smith (hamstring), running back Brian Westbrook (rib) and cornerback Dexter Wynn (hamstring).
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Contact staff writer Shannon Ryan at 215-854-5503 or sryan@phillynews
Eagles Notes | Cowboys are pass-happy, too
By Shannon Ryan
Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles' defense would like to prove it can stop the run. That will be difficult to do against the pass-happy Dallas Cowboys on Monday, however.
The Cowboys run the ball just a little more than the Eagles, which isn't saying much. They average just 101.9 rushing yards a game, 10th in the NFC. Through eight games, the Cowboys have gained just 815 yards on the ground.
The Eagles' defense, which allowed the Steelers 252 rushing yards on 56 carries, should not have to worry that the Cowboys will embarrass them as Jerome Bettis did in Pittsburgh's 27-3 win on Sunday.
Until the Eagles consistently shut down runners, there is still something to prove, linebacker Ike Reese said yesterday.
"For the next eight weeks on, everyone's going to be running the ball against the Eagles, until we prove we can stop the run," he said. "When you tackle the way we tackled Sunday, anyone can run the ball."
The Eagles' defense is ranked 27th in the NFL in yards allowed per game (130.6) and 31st in rushing yards per attempt (4.7). The Eagles still must face running backs Clinton Portis (Washington), Tiki Barber (New York Giants) and Rudi Johnson (Cincinnati), all of whom are among the NFL's top 12 ground gainers.
"Baltimore did it and stuck with the run throughout the game," Reese said. "Cleveland stuck with the run. The only difference on Sunday was that the offense didn't score points. In all the other games, the offense moved the ball and we kind of were able to use that as a safety net, lean on them and kind of bail us out of games."
Defensive end Jevon Kearse, who is a pass rusher, had just one tackle against the Steelers. He is tied for third in the NFC with six sacks and has 22 tackles.
Before the Eagles begin to worry about Dallas or playing on Monday night, they need to worry about themselves, Kearse said. If that means he needs to get involved in stopping the run, he is ready. "I've got to keep doing what they brought me here to do," he said.
Offensive woes. The offensive line appeared to get manhandled by the Steelers' defense, which sacked quarterback Donovan McNabb four times. But left guard Artis Hicks said the Eagles were the victims of a mental lapse, even more so than the Steelers' 3-4 defense.
"It's very frustrating," he said. "It's one thing when you get beat legitimately by a good move or something. It's a totally different thing once you're getting beat just because you messed up a call."
Childress leaving? Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress is being mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Miami Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt, who resigned Tuesday after the Dolphins stumbled to a 1-8 start. Childress would be reunited with former Eagles backup quarterback A.J. Feeley in Miami.
Other names being tossed around include former Florida Gators coach Steve Spurrier, Louisiana State's Nick Saban, and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.
Rayburn questionable. After being involved in a car collision Tuesday morning, defensive tackle Sam Rayburn missed practice yesterday and was listed as questionable for Monday night's game. Rayburn's injuries were listed as a concussion and an elbow injury, which was a strain he suffered in the loss to the Steelers. He also was cut on the head in the accident, according to police reports.
Injury update. Kick returner J.R. Reed missed practice again yesterday, after sitting out against Pittsburgh with a hamstring injury. He is listed as doubtful for Dallas. Kicker David Akers (hip) also missed practice and is listed as probable. Offensive guard Jermane Mayberry was back at practice after missing Sunday's game with a calf strain and is questionable.
The following players are listed as probable: safety Brian Dawkins (forearm), linebacker Dhani Jones (ankle), wide receiver Todd Pinkston (knee), tackle Jon Runyan (groin), defensive tackle Corey Simon (calf), tight end L.J. Smith (hamstring), running back Brian Westbrook (rib) and cornerback Dexter Wynn (hamstring).
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Contact staff writer Shannon Ryan at 215-854-5503 or sryan@phillynews