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Eagles Notes
Since the Dallas Cowboys have a three-game lead over the Eagles in the NFC East, the stakes for the Birds are obvious when the heated rivals go at it Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
But an extra jolt of emotion can never hurt, and the Eagles may get one with the possible return of their spiritual leader, safety Brian Dawkins.
Coach Andy Reid said yesterday that Dawkins will practice with the defense this week. Dawkins hasn't played since the fourth quarter of the Eagles' 20-12 loss to Washington on Sept. 17, when he suffered a neck stinger while tackling tight end Todd Yoder.
Since the injury, Dawkins has seen a specialist in Oregon and been a vocal presence at Eagles practices, frequently assuming a role as coach of the safeties. The last two weeks, he has been part of the scout teams.
"This week he'll start off [practicing] with the defense unless something crazy happens in the next day or two," Reid said. "It's just a matter of no setbacks. There's nothing during practice that would cause a setback to that injury, I don't think."
Even if Dawkins returns, it's not likely he could make much of a contribution other than psychological because the six-time Pro Bowl selection has seen little game action. (He also missed three of the Eagles' four preseason games.)
Also, the play of Quintin Mikell, who has emerged as an influential presence in the secondary, has helped minimize the impact of Dawkins' absence. It's even possible Reid raised the specter of Dawkins' return as a bit of early-week gamesmanship.
What is certain is that Dawkins' status won't be known until he's involved in contact, which won't occur in practice.
"I think once he gets through his first couple [hits] I think he'll be OK there," Reid said. "It's just a matter of getting his confidence back in it. [Mikell] has done very well in there, and it's not a situation where Brian would have to play every snap when he comes back. I could ease him back in there."
Confidence boost
Reid said Reggie Brown's single-game career-high of eight catches in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Vikings will give the much-criticized receiver the boost he needed.
"He's been taking a little bit of flak here, and I think it was very good for his confidence," Reid said.
Brown had a game-high 105 yards in receptions and made a brilliant sideline catch for 30 yards. His career high is 121 yards last season against New Orleans. Brown had 17 catches in the previous six games combined.
McNabb's plays
Reid conceded that he noticed quarterback Donovan McNabb was not able to successfully execute certain plays he used to make before he suffered a serious knee injury last November. Understandably, he would not specify which plays.
"There's a negative to that question, and I don't want it to be a negative because he's doing so many good things right now," Reid said. "A couple things that might not go his way, if he takes off and goes in a certain direction, maybe a year ago he could do it a step quicker. But he's getting right to the point now where those things are equaling out. He's moving around a lot better."
McNabb showed more mobility against the Vikings than he had in the previous six games. "He moved well in the pocket, little subtle moves in the pocket," Reid said.
Extra points
Cornerback Lito Sheppard said the effects of his early-season knee injury continue to subside. "I'm definitely getting better each week, and I think my play is kind of showing that," he said.
The Eagles came out of the game against the Vikings with only a few injuries and they appeared to be minor. Brown had spasms in his trapezoid muscle. Cornerback William James has plantar fasciitis in his right foot, and receiver Greg Lewis has a sprained shoulder. Reid called James' injury "a slight strain". . . . Reid singled out defensive end Trent Cole for his outstanding play. Cole led the Eagles with eight tackles and had two sacks and two hurries. He has nine sacks this season. . . . At 3-4, the Eagles don't rank high in the standings, but they do in some NFL statistical categories. The team that struggles to score touchdowns is No. 2 in total offense in the NFC. They are No. 4 in total defense and No. 3 against the run.
Since the Dallas Cowboys have a three-game lead over the Eagles in the NFC East, the stakes for the Birds are obvious when the heated rivals go at it Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
But an extra jolt of emotion can never hurt, and the Eagles may get one with the possible return of their spiritual leader, safety Brian Dawkins.
Coach Andy Reid said yesterday that Dawkins will practice with the defense this week. Dawkins hasn't played since the fourth quarter of the Eagles' 20-12 loss to Washington on Sept. 17, when he suffered a neck stinger while tackling tight end Todd Yoder.
Since the injury, Dawkins has seen a specialist in Oregon and been a vocal presence at Eagles practices, frequently assuming a role as coach of the safeties. The last two weeks, he has been part of the scout teams.
"This week he'll start off [practicing] with the defense unless something crazy happens in the next day or two," Reid said. "It's just a matter of no setbacks. There's nothing during practice that would cause a setback to that injury, I don't think."
Even if Dawkins returns, it's not likely he could make much of a contribution other than psychological because the six-time Pro Bowl selection has seen little game action. (He also missed three of the Eagles' four preseason games.)
Also, the play of Quintin Mikell, who has emerged as an influential presence in the secondary, has helped minimize the impact of Dawkins' absence. It's even possible Reid raised the specter of Dawkins' return as a bit of early-week gamesmanship.
What is certain is that Dawkins' status won't be known until he's involved in contact, which won't occur in practice.
"I think once he gets through his first couple [hits] I think he'll be OK there," Reid said. "It's just a matter of getting his confidence back in it. [Mikell] has done very well in there, and it's not a situation where Brian would have to play every snap when he comes back. I could ease him back in there."
Confidence boost
Reid said Reggie Brown's single-game career-high of eight catches in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Vikings will give the much-criticized receiver the boost he needed.
"He's been taking a little bit of flak here, and I think it was very good for his confidence," Reid said.
Brown had a game-high 105 yards in receptions and made a brilliant sideline catch for 30 yards. His career high is 121 yards last season against New Orleans. Brown had 17 catches in the previous six games combined.
McNabb's plays
Reid conceded that he noticed quarterback Donovan McNabb was not able to successfully execute certain plays he used to make before he suffered a serious knee injury last November. Understandably, he would not specify which plays.
"There's a negative to that question, and I don't want it to be a negative because he's doing so many good things right now," Reid said. "A couple things that might not go his way, if he takes off and goes in a certain direction, maybe a year ago he could do it a step quicker. But he's getting right to the point now where those things are equaling out. He's moving around a lot better."
McNabb showed more mobility against the Vikings than he had in the previous six games. "He moved well in the pocket, little subtle moves in the pocket," Reid said.
Extra points
Cornerback Lito Sheppard said the effects of his early-season knee injury continue to subside. "I'm definitely getting better each week, and I think my play is kind of showing that," he said.
The Eagles came out of the game against the Vikings with only a few injuries and they appeared to be minor. Brown had spasms in his trapezoid muscle. Cornerback William James has plantar fasciitis in his right foot, and receiver Greg Lewis has a sprained shoulder. Reid called James' injury "a slight strain". . . . Reid singled out defensive end Trent Cole for his outstanding play. Cole led the Eagles with eight tackles and had two sacks and two hurries. He has nine sacks this season. . . . At 3-4, the Eagles don't rank high in the standings, but they do in some NFL statistical categories. The team that struggles to score touchdowns is No. 2 in total offense in the NFC. They are No. 4 in total defense and No. 3 against the run.
- Ray Parrillo
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