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Many helped Birds save a lost season
Dawkins and Garcia are big reasons, but the team is more aggressive, too.
By Marc Narducci
Inquirer Staff Writer
It hasn't been only one thing that has transformed the Eagles from what appeared to be a dead team into a contender. They're happy, however, with the result - three wins in a row have put them in a viable position for the postseason.
That said, the Eagles know that nothing should be taken for granted in the scrambled NFC.
To demonstrate how difficult it is to string multiple wins in this closely contested conference, the Eagles and Chicago Bears currently have the longest winning streak in the NFC.
In the visiting locker room after Sunday's 36-22 victory over the New York Giants, which improved the Birds' record to 8-6 and set up a Christmas Day showdown with the 9-5 Dallas Cowboys, many of the Eagles said the team's character has led to the turnaround.
While it is true that it took inner strength to bounce back after a 45-21 pasting by Indianapolis, a loss that dropped their record to 5-6, the Eagles have since developed an aggressive attitude and carried it onto the field.
During their winning streak, the Eagles have taken a few more chances on offense and defense. An example: With the score tied, 7-7, late in the second quarter last week against the Giants, Eagles coach Andy Reid bypassed an easy field-goal attempt on fourth-and-goal from the 1 and called for a handoff to Brian Westbrook, who literally flipped over the defense and into the end zone for a touchdown.
Reid said during his Monday press conference that he consulted with Westbrook, who assured him that he could score on the play. That was enough for Reid, who decided not to take the easy way out.
It should come as no surprise that free safety Brian Dawkins and quarterback Jeff Garcia have been the catalysts for the Eagles during their winning streak. Both play with a high level of aggressiveness.
Dawkins is one of the best leaders in the locker room, but nothing does more to promote leadership than actually making big plays on the field.
Three weeks ago in a 27-24 win over Carolina, Dawkins turned the game around. With the score tied at 24-24, his interception and 38-yard return to the Panthers' 37-yard line eventually set up David Akers' 25-yard field goal that broke the tie.
Two weeks ago, with the Eagles holding a 21-16 lead over Washington, Dawkins blitzed and sacked quarterback Jason Campbell for a 9-yard loss, forcing the Commanders to settle for a field goal with 4 minutes, 58 seconds left.
The Commanders never got the ball back as the Eagles ran out the clock to win, 21-19.
In last week's triumph over the Giants, Dawkins had arguably his best performance of the season with 12 tackles, one interception, and two forced fumbles. It's no surprise that he was named NFC defensive player of the week.
"I am definitely excited about the direction we are heading in, and I believe we are playing our best football at the right time," said Dawkins, who earned his sixth Pro Bowl invitation on Tuesday.
His teammates are following his lead.
"When you have Brian Dawkins, with the passion he plays the game and to understand what this game means to him, you don't have a choice but to become a great character guy if you follow him," Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown said.
Similarly, the fire that Garcia has employed - not to mention his 9-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio - has won over his teammates.
"Jeff comes with a lot of energy and fire, and we just feed off it," Eagles offensive tackle William Thomas said. "He is a feisty guy, and he acts like a defensive lineman out there."
One other common thread to the winning streak is the insertion of rookie Omar Gaither into the starting lineup at weakside linebacker.
Gaither has brought a new level of energy, as evidenced by the 10 tackles he made last week against the Giants.
"Everybody can be aggressive and run to the ball and that is one of the things I wanted to bring to the team," Gaither said.
Injury update. Eagles cornerback William James, who suffered a calf injury in pregame warm-ups and was scratched from Sunday's win over the Giants, is listed as doubtful for Monday's game with Dallas. Linebacker Shawn Barber (neck) and strong safety Michael Lewis (knee) are listed as questionable.
The Eagles return to practice today at the NovaCare Complex.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.
Dawkins and Garcia are big reasons, but the team is more aggressive, too.
By Marc Narducci
Inquirer Staff Writer
It hasn't been only one thing that has transformed the Eagles from what appeared to be a dead team into a contender. They're happy, however, with the result - three wins in a row have put them in a viable position for the postseason.
That said, the Eagles know that nothing should be taken for granted in the scrambled NFC.
To demonstrate how difficult it is to string multiple wins in this closely contested conference, the Eagles and Chicago Bears currently have the longest winning streak in the NFC.
In the visiting locker room after Sunday's 36-22 victory over the New York Giants, which improved the Birds' record to 8-6 and set up a Christmas Day showdown with the 9-5 Dallas Cowboys, many of the Eagles said the team's character has led to the turnaround.
While it is true that it took inner strength to bounce back after a 45-21 pasting by Indianapolis, a loss that dropped their record to 5-6, the Eagles have since developed an aggressive attitude and carried it onto the field.
During their winning streak, the Eagles have taken a few more chances on offense and defense. An example: With the score tied, 7-7, late in the second quarter last week against the Giants, Eagles coach Andy Reid bypassed an easy field-goal attempt on fourth-and-goal from the 1 and called for a handoff to Brian Westbrook, who literally flipped over the defense and into the end zone for a touchdown.
Reid said during his Monday press conference that he consulted with Westbrook, who assured him that he could score on the play. That was enough for Reid, who decided not to take the easy way out.
It should come as no surprise that free safety Brian Dawkins and quarterback Jeff Garcia have been the catalysts for the Eagles during their winning streak. Both play with a high level of aggressiveness.
Dawkins is one of the best leaders in the locker room, but nothing does more to promote leadership than actually making big plays on the field.
Three weeks ago in a 27-24 win over Carolina, Dawkins turned the game around. With the score tied at 24-24, his interception and 38-yard return to the Panthers' 37-yard line eventually set up David Akers' 25-yard field goal that broke the tie.
Two weeks ago, with the Eagles holding a 21-16 lead over Washington, Dawkins blitzed and sacked quarterback Jason Campbell for a 9-yard loss, forcing the Commanders to settle for a field goal with 4 minutes, 58 seconds left.
The Commanders never got the ball back as the Eagles ran out the clock to win, 21-19.
In last week's triumph over the Giants, Dawkins had arguably his best performance of the season with 12 tackles, one interception, and two forced fumbles. It's no surprise that he was named NFC defensive player of the week.
"I am definitely excited about the direction we are heading in, and I believe we are playing our best football at the right time," said Dawkins, who earned his sixth Pro Bowl invitation on Tuesday.
His teammates are following his lead.
"When you have Brian Dawkins, with the passion he plays the game and to understand what this game means to him, you don't have a choice but to become a great character guy if you follow him," Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown said.
Similarly, the fire that Garcia has employed - not to mention his 9-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio - has won over his teammates.
"Jeff comes with a lot of energy and fire, and we just feed off it," Eagles offensive tackle William Thomas said. "He is a feisty guy, and he acts like a defensive lineman out there."
One other common thread to the winning streak is the insertion of rookie Omar Gaither into the starting lineup at weakside linebacker.
Gaither has brought a new level of energy, as evidenced by the 10 tackles he made last week against the Giants.
"Everybody can be aggressive and run to the ball and that is one of the things I wanted to bring to the team," Gaither said.
Injury update. Eagles cornerback William James, who suffered a calf injury in pregame warm-ups and was scratched from Sunday's win over the Giants, is listed as doubtful for Monday's game with Dallas. Linebacker Shawn Barber (neck) and strong safety Michael Lewis (knee) are listed as questionable.
The Eagles return to practice today at the NovaCare Complex.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.
