Eagles Downplay Dallas Rivalry
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hearing the name "Dallas Cowboys" is enough to boil the blood of most Eagles fans, but many of the current players are taking the high road.
The Eagles and Cowboys will do battle at the Linc on Sunday with first place in the NFC East on the line. However, you wouldn't know it was "Cowboys Week" by talking to the players and coaches. Chip Kelly attempted to downplay any Eagles-Cowboys hype despite what's at stake on Sunday.
"We don't talk about that," said Kelly. "I think everybody we play, you have the utmost respect for and if you don't, you're going to lose. I think our players are like that, too. I think whether it's the Chiefs or the Chargers or the Broncos or whomever, I think there's a professionalism that I really kind of like in this league."
LeSean McCoy has participated in his share of battles with the Cowboys. McCoy also tried to downplay the rivalry, but acknowledged the importance of the game on Sunday.
"It's a division game," McCoy said. "That tells you enough right there just how important it is. You play a team twice a year, and you know that team can be the difference in going to the playoffs."
Cary Williams was with the Baltimore Ravens last season, so this will be the first time he is participating in the rivalry. While Williams had other rivals with the Ravens, he is starting to get a taste of what it means to be an Eagle with a game against the Cowboys on the horizon.
"I don't like the Dallas Cowboys," said Williams. "Not as much as these fans may feel, but I'm coming from a different place. We didn't like Pittsburgh and we didn't like New England."
Meanwhile, the Eagles defense will be tested against the pass-happy Cowboys. Dallas Quarterback Tony Romo has thrown for nearly 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns, and DeMeco Ryans has been impressed with Romo and his teammates.
"They're throwing the ball around a lot more," Ryans said. "Romo has better control of the offense, and they're giving him a chance to show what he can do."
Quarterback Michael Vick and Safety Patrick Chung were again limited in practice. Jason Peters did not participate in practice on Wednesday as he continues to deal with a shoulder injury.
