Eagles Practice Update: Colt Anderson Moves In For Nate Allen
By Joseph Santoliquito
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (CBS) — The ever-revolving switching and moving players continues for the Eagles. This time, Andy Reid said he was committed to play Colt Anderson at strong safety in place of Nate Allen for the Eagles' game on Sunday against the Washington Redskins.
Anderson has come on and played well, especially in the December 9 Tampa Bay victory, when he recorded six tackles, five solo.
"Colt came in and we asked him to fill in the line of scrimmage, and he's a physical player in there, and he did a nice job with that, and we needed that at that time and we're going to need it this week," Reid said. "They run the football and do a good job with that, so we'll leave him in that position and let him continue to do that. All three [safeties, Anderson, Allen and Kurt Coleman] will probably have an opportunity to play, but again, right now Kurt is a little more stout in there and we'll need that this week, But again, right now, Kurt is a little more stout in there and we need that."
Washington defeated the Eagles 31-6 in Nick Foles first NFL start. It was the largest point differential the 4-10 Eagles lost by this season. The Redskins pounded the Eagles for 361 yards of total offense, 169 came on the ground.
"That [loss] sits on me a lot, I'm hoping RGIII [Robert Griffin III] can play, because I don't want to hear any excuses when we go in there and try to handle business," Eagles' defensive end Brandon Graham said. "Losing to the Redskins, it's a division game that's not pretty at all, and we lost to Dallas twice this year, and I'm not trying to lose to the Redskins twice. I'm hoping everyone is healthy and can play so it would be a good match."
Allen, the Eagles' second-round 2010 pick that they received from the Washington Redskins in the Donovan McNabb trade, seemed to take the demotion well on the surface.
"It is what it is," Allen said. "Colt's been playing well and it's the best fit right now."
Graham said playing the last home game may be motivating. It seems resigned on some Eagles, like Graham, that Reid won't be back next season and that Sunday will mark the last time Reid will walk the sideline at Lincoln Financial Field as the Eagles' head coach.
"You're only as good as your last game, and let's make this last home game good," Graham said. "For Andy, I don't know. And you never know what might happen. I know he's a great coach and I know someone will pick him up, if that's the case and hopefully let's go out on a good note for him."
Injury update. Reid reported that the only injury was fullback Stanley Havili (hamstring), who did not practice on Wednesday and probably wouldn't play on Sunday against Washington. Reid also re-affirmed Clay Harbor (back) was put on the injured reserve and Brent Celek (concussion) was practicing and Kurt Coleman (sternum contusion) did return.
LeSean McCoy (concussion) is back and Reid said would start, and rotate with Bryce Brown. Michael Vick (concussion) did practice and Reid said he would be listed as the third quarterback on Sunday.
