Reid: Bunkley In; B-West Out
August 9, 2006
By SHANE EVANS
Coming off a good performance by the starters in the Hall Of Fame Game against the Oakland Raiders, the Eagles have a quick turnaround as they get set to play the Browns on Thursday evening at Lincoln Financial Field.
Unfortunately, the injury bug has got to the Eagles recently and the list of players not playing is quite sizeable. Most notably, running backs Brian Westbrook, Bruce Perry, Correll Buckhalter and Ryan Moats, wide receiver Todd Pinkston, and defensive tackle Darwin Walker will be out of the lineup.
One player who will be on the field, after a long wait, is rookie defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley. Bunkley agreed to terms on a contract on Friday and reported to his first practice Tuesday morning. Head coach Andy Reid doesn't expect a lot out of Bunkley against Cleveland, but felt he performed well enough in the short time he's been at Lehigh to be out there Thursday night.
"Bunkley will play. It won't be much, but he will play," said Reid after the team's mock game Wednesday morning. "We've worked him out here, without pads, and put him through some conditioning things. Yesterday, I wanted to see how he did during practice before I made a decision and it looked like he handled it very well and actually played very well. We'll see how it goes."
The biggest concern going into this game for Reid and the Eagles is the running back position. Four of the Eagles six running backs won't be in action for the game, which means lots of carries for Reno Mahe, fullback Thomas Tapeh and newly-signed Marty Johnson.
Being this is only the second preseason game, Reid isn't that worried about the position and expects most of the guys to be back in action against Baltimore on August 17. Regardless of who is out, Reid has faith in his players, whomever plays.
"We still feel very comfortable running the football with Reno," said Reid. "That's not a problem; Reno knows the offense as well as anybody. So, if we want to run the football, we feel fine doing that with Reno in there. It doesn't mean we have to throw the ball."
With so many players hurt, the coaching staff will be able to rotate in some of the younger guys, which Reid thinks is extremely important.
"I'll tell you, I think it's critical for all of the guys, there's competition at every position," said Reid. "So, they should be looking at it like it's critical if they want to make this football team. I'm not picking Thomas Tapeh out, I'm saying everybody, too much competition out here."
Unlike their first preseason game, the team has had very little time to prepare for the game since it's only four days after the Hall of Fame Game. Getting more time this week will be the first team, even on the short week. Quarterback Donovan McNabb will play about 1 1/2 quarters, according to Reid. Jeff Garcia will play about 1 1/2 quarters and Timmy Chang will play the fourth quarter. Koy Detmer will hold for kicker David Akers, but not play at quarterback. Reid said Detmer will quarterback in the third preseason game against Baltimore and Garcia will sit out.
The first-team defense, which played the first two series Sunday, will play more as well.
"It affected maybe the way it worked the first game, you work in there that we have five preseason games with a quick turnover after the first one," said Reid. "The ones will get a little more work than what they did this past week."
The team has plenty to improve on from Sunday's game and will look to do that against the Browns. Even with some key players out of the lineup, the team is confident and should build on their performance in Canton, OH.
Injury Update
The following players are also not playing Thursday against Cleveland:
Linebacker Chris Gocong
Safety Quintin Mikell
Tackle Calvin Armstrong
Wide receiver Jeremy Bloom
Guard Adrien Clarke
Tackle Pat McCoy
Linebacker Greg Richmond
Guard Scott Young
Wide receiver Reggie Brown, who was carted off the field with a calf strain during Tuesday morning's practice, will play Thursday. Cornerback Matt Ware is questionable with a tight lower back.
August 9, 2006
By SHANE EVANS
Coming off a good performance by the starters in the Hall Of Fame Game against the Oakland Raiders, the Eagles have a quick turnaround as they get set to play the Browns on Thursday evening at Lincoln Financial Field.
Unfortunately, the injury bug has got to the Eagles recently and the list of players not playing is quite sizeable. Most notably, running backs Brian Westbrook, Bruce Perry, Correll Buckhalter and Ryan Moats, wide receiver Todd Pinkston, and defensive tackle Darwin Walker will be out of the lineup.
One player who will be on the field, after a long wait, is rookie defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley. Bunkley agreed to terms on a contract on Friday and reported to his first practice Tuesday morning. Head coach Andy Reid doesn't expect a lot out of Bunkley against Cleveland, but felt he performed well enough in the short time he's been at Lehigh to be out there Thursday night.
"Bunkley will play. It won't be much, but he will play," said Reid after the team's mock game Wednesday morning. "We've worked him out here, without pads, and put him through some conditioning things. Yesterday, I wanted to see how he did during practice before I made a decision and it looked like he handled it very well and actually played very well. We'll see how it goes."
The biggest concern going into this game for Reid and the Eagles is the running back position. Four of the Eagles six running backs won't be in action for the game, which means lots of carries for Reno Mahe, fullback Thomas Tapeh and newly-signed Marty Johnson.
Being this is only the second preseason game, Reid isn't that worried about the position and expects most of the guys to be back in action against Baltimore on August 17. Regardless of who is out, Reid has faith in his players, whomever plays.
"We still feel very comfortable running the football with Reno," said Reid. "That's not a problem; Reno knows the offense as well as anybody. So, if we want to run the football, we feel fine doing that with Reno in there. It doesn't mean we have to throw the ball."
With so many players hurt, the coaching staff will be able to rotate in some of the younger guys, which Reid thinks is extremely important.
"I'll tell you, I think it's critical for all of the guys, there's competition at every position," said Reid. "So, they should be looking at it like it's critical if they want to make this football team. I'm not picking Thomas Tapeh out, I'm saying everybody, too much competition out here."
Unlike their first preseason game, the team has had very little time to prepare for the game since it's only four days after the Hall of Fame Game. Getting more time this week will be the first team, even on the short week. Quarterback Donovan McNabb will play about 1 1/2 quarters, according to Reid. Jeff Garcia will play about 1 1/2 quarters and Timmy Chang will play the fourth quarter. Koy Detmer will hold for kicker David Akers, but not play at quarterback. Reid said Detmer will quarterback in the third preseason game against Baltimore and Garcia will sit out.
The first-team defense, which played the first two series Sunday, will play more as well.
"It affected maybe the way it worked the first game, you work in there that we have five preseason games with a quick turnover after the first one," said Reid. "The ones will get a little more work than what they did this past week."
The team has plenty to improve on from Sunday's game and will look to do that against the Browns. Even with some key players out of the lineup, the team is confident and should build on their performance in Canton, OH.
Injury Update
The following players are also not playing Thursday against Cleveland:
Linebacker Chris Gocong
Safety Quintin Mikell
Tackle Calvin Armstrong
Wide receiver Jeremy Bloom
Guard Adrien Clarke
Tackle Pat McCoy
Linebacker Greg Richmond
Guard Scott Young
Wide receiver Reggie Brown, who was carted off the field with a calf strain during Tuesday morning's practice, will play Thursday. Cornerback Matt Ware is questionable with a tight lower back.
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