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Sheppard to remain a backup
By REUBEN FRANK
phillyBurbs.com
PHILADELPHIA — Lito Sheppard has made more big plays against the Cowboys than a lot of cornerbacks make in their careers.
Eight interceptions. A 101-yard touchdown return in 2004. A 102-yard touchdown return in 2006. A dominating performance against Terrell Owens in an upset win last year.
Half of Sheppard's 16 interceptions since 2004 have been against the Cowboys, but the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback will be in a different role on Monday night, when the Eagles and Cowboys meet in a nationally televised game at Texas Stadium.
Despite Sheppard's remarkable success against the Cowboys, he'll apparently once again be a backup behind Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel when the Eagles have two corners on the field.
“We're just going about the regular game plan,” Sheppard said after practice yesterday. “Nothing's changed. It all depends on what (formations) they're in. When Asante is in there, he'll hold it down. When Sheldon's in there, he'll hold it down. And when I'm in there, I'll hold it down.”
Sheppard was one of the keys to the Eagles' 10-6 win over the Cowboys last December, when defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, in a rare departure from his normal defense, had Sheppard tail Owens wherever he went.
“I wanted to go out and prove I could play with one of the best out there,” Sheppard said.
And what about Monday night?
“We'll see how it goes,” Sheppard said. “It's a team game and a team defense, and everybody has to do what they're supposed to do. I'm just going to go out and play ball. In a game of this magnitude — Monday Night Football, Dallas — who wouldn't want to have a great game?”
Samuel played 41 snaps, Brown 34 and Sheppard 31 in the Eagles' opening-day win over the Rams. Although Sheppard has complained bitterly about his role and his contract, once the game began, all that was forgotten.
“Once the game starts, I can't do anything about it,” he said. “I'm not going to harp on the negative. We did win 38-3.”
Reid: Cowboys NFL's best
Are the Cowboys really that good?
Eagles head coach Andy Reid thinks so.
“They are the best team in the National Football League right now,” Reid said yesterday. “I think it's a great challenge for our football team, to see how we can do against the best team in the league.”
Most experts picked the Cowboys to go to the Super Bowl this year, but although the Cowboys are a touchdown favorite Monday, the Eagles have won six of eight at Texas Stadium since 2000 and are 13-5 under Reid against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys went 13-3 last year and won the NFC East and went 6-2 at home, losing only to the undefeated Patriots and the Eagles, 10-6 on Dec. 16.
Brown limited at practice
Wide receiver Reggie Brown did some work at yesterday's practice — which was closed to the media — but he said afterward he was “very limited,” and he hardly sounded like somebody who thinks he's going to be able to play against the Cowboys on national TV in three days.
“I'm hoping,” he said.
Brown, who has averaged 54 catches for 800 yards the last two years, hasn't played a snap since pulling a hamstring in the second preseason game, against the Panthers at the Linc on Aug. 14 — some 29 days ago. Brown missed the preseason opener in Pittsburgh with an Achilles injury.
Reid called Brown questionable for the Cowboys, although the Eagles are not required to declare injured players probable, questionable, doubtful or out until tomorrow.
“We are just going to see how he does and start him off slow,” Reid said. “We don't want any setbacks, that's the primary thing.”
Reid said the only players who missed practice were Kevin Curtis (sports hernia surgery) and Victor Abiamiri (wrist surgery). He said safety Sean Considine (bruised hand) practiced.
*Reid said the Eagles haven't yet changed their travel plans this weekend but are tracking Hurricane Ike, which is projected to slam into coastal Texas today and reach the Dallas area either tomorrow or Sunday.
The Eagles' charter to DFW Airport is scheduled to leave Philadelphia at about 12:30 p.m. on Sunday and arrive in Dallas at about 3:30 p.m.
E-MAIL: [email protected]
By REUBEN FRANK
phillyBurbs.com
PHILADELPHIA — Lito Sheppard has made more big plays against the Cowboys than a lot of cornerbacks make in their careers.
Eight interceptions. A 101-yard touchdown return in 2004. A 102-yard touchdown return in 2006. A dominating performance against Terrell Owens in an upset win last year.
Half of Sheppard's 16 interceptions since 2004 have been against the Cowboys, but the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback will be in a different role on Monday night, when the Eagles and Cowboys meet in a nationally televised game at Texas Stadium.
Despite Sheppard's remarkable success against the Cowboys, he'll apparently once again be a backup behind Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel when the Eagles have two corners on the field.
“We're just going about the regular game plan,” Sheppard said after practice yesterday. “Nothing's changed. It all depends on what (formations) they're in. When Asante is in there, he'll hold it down. When Sheldon's in there, he'll hold it down. And when I'm in there, I'll hold it down.”
Sheppard was one of the keys to the Eagles' 10-6 win over the Cowboys last December, when defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, in a rare departure from his normal defense, had Sheppard tail Owens wherever he went.
“I wanted to go out and prove I could play with one of the best out there,” Sheppard said.
And what about Monday night?
“We'll see how it goes,” Sheppard said. “It's a team game and a team defense, and everybody has to do what they're supposed to do. I'm just going to go out and play ball. In a game of this magnitude — Monday Night Football, Dallas — who wouldn't want to have a great game?”
Samuel played 41 snaps, Brown 34 and Sheppard 31 in the Eagles' opening-day win over the Rams. Although Sheppard has complained bitterly about his role and his contract, once the game began, all that was forgotten.
“Once the game starts, I can't do anything about it,” he said. “I'm not going to harp on the negative. We did win 38-3.”
Reid: Cowboys NFL's best
Are the Cowboys really that good?
Eagles head coach Andy Reid thinks so.
“They are the best team in the National Football League right now,” Reid said yesterday. “I think it's a great challenge for our football team, to see how we can do against the best team in the league.”
Most experts picked the Cowboys to go to the Super Bowl this year, but although the Cowboys are a touchdown favorite Monday, the Eagles have won six of eight at Texas Stadium since 2000 and are 13-5 under Reid against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys went 13-3 last year and won the NFC East and went 6-2 at home, losing only to the undefeated Patriots and the Eagles, 10-6 on Dec. 16.
Brown limited at practice
Wide receiver Reggie Brown did some work at yesterday's practice — which was closed to the media — but he said afterward he was “very limited,” and he hardly sounded like somebody who thinks he's going to be able to play against the Cowboys on national TV in three days.
“I'm hoping,” he said.
Brown, who has averaged 54 catches for 800 yards the last two years, hasn't played a snap since pulling a hamstring in the second preseason game, against the Panthers at the Linc on Aug. 14 — some 29 days ago. Brown missed the preseason opener in Pittsburgh with an Achilles injury.
Reid called Brown questionable for the Cowboys, although the Eagles are not required to declare injured players probable, questionable, doubtful or out until tomorrow.
“We are just going to see how he does and start him off slow,” Reid said. “We don't want any setbacks, that's the primary thing.”
Reid said the only players who missed practice were Kevin Curtis (sports hernia surgery) and Victor Abiamiri (wrist surgery). He said safety Sean Considine (bruised hand) practiced.
*Reid said the Eagles haven't yet changed their travel plans this weekend but are tracking Hurricane Ike, which is projected to slam into coastal Texas today and reach the Dallas area either tomorrow or Sunday.
The Eagles' charter to DFW Airport is scheduled to leave Philadelphia at about 12:30 p.m. on Sunday and arrive in Dallas at about 3:30 p.m.
E-MAIL: [email protected]
