Andy Reid brought the bad news right up front in today’s new conference, Eagles center Jamaal Jackson is gone for the season with an ACL tear.
It will mean that Nick Cole will take his place as the starting Eagles center which won’t be a problem once he gets a week of practice at the position, but I don’t like what it does to the guard position.
Cole will move from right guard to center and that means Max Jean-Gilles will take over at right guard. This is a big drop off from Cole. Jean-Gilles is big and physical but his feet are slow and he’s not a good match up with athletic Dallas defensive tackle, Jay Ratliff.
Usually the Eagles center and defensive tackle block their people so well that we don’t even discuss them on pass downs. Ratliff is very quick off the ball and he could cause some problems in his match up with Jean-Gilles.
Cole has to help Jean-Gilles on Ratliff or maybe Stacy Andrews is ready to play. If they leave Jean-Gilles singled on Ratliff, expect some sacks, pressures and holding penalties.
Reid made a nice little joke at me when I asked him about whether he had been looking a video of the Cowboys. He said I was split in my allegiance because I played for the Cowboys and the Eagles.
I laughed and he went on to say that Dallas is playing very well and very confidently. I think they’re a tough match up for the Birds and it will probably be a very close game.
Reid says there’s a chance that Michael Vick will back next week to play in the Cowboys game. He’s going to say that whether Vick has a chance of playing or not because it will force the Dallas defense to spend valuable time working on defending him.
Everyone’s pulling for Sheldon Brown to make the Pro Bowl this year. He has had a big year but his making the team is going to depend on whether receivers around the league are willing to put two Eagles corners in the game because Asante Samuel with his reputation and nine picks are sure to make the team.
The head coach was pleased with what he got out of Brian Westbrook. He thought he played well during his time in the game. I expect the Eagles to try to get him more involved in this game against Dallas.
