Eagles Practice Update: Who Are These Guys?
By Joseph Santoliquito
Philadelphia, PA (CBS) — The days drone on at the NovaCare Complex. With each passing day, another piece to what was supposed to be the Eagles' high-powered offense falls by the wayside.
It looks like Bryce Brown will start in place of LeSean McCoy, who was carted off the field after suffering a concussion late in the Eagles' 31-6 debacle on Sunday against the Washington Redskins. It also looks like Nick Foles will be handing Brown the ball.
Lincoln Financial Field may be far more hostile toward the hometown Eagles than the visiting Carolina Panthers Monday night. Making things more difficult will be playing a tailback, Brown, who will be getting his first start since his senior year in high school in 2008, and Foles, a quarterback making his second NFL start.
How will the Eagles combat that in their own building?
"You go play, you make positive things happen as coaches and players, make positive plays and fans like that, that's what they want to see," Andy Reid said. "I always said they're on the same page with all of us. We're stinkin' up, we understand that, and they understand it. When we're doing well, they understand it, and we understand it, too."
Reid said you go with the guys that are out there. Reid likes the progress Brown is making.
"It looks like he's more comfortable with the offense every week and he's doing a nice job in pass protection, which wasn't his thing when he first came here," Reid said. "He's making a better recognition of the blitzes, and he's a patient runner. When he goes, he goes hard, and he's a big body and a physical player. He's a smart kid and a good player.
"You draft these guys to play. Obviously, some of them in there because injuries take place. You don't want the injuries, but you don't use those as an excuse. These guys have an opportunity to show, so let's go, let's go play."
The Eagles are in the throes of a six-game losing streak, the longest losing streak in the 14-year tenure of Reid and the longest down run since the Richie Kotite-coached 1994 team lost its last seven games after starting that year 7-2.
"You don't look back, you go forward," Reid said. "I have guys who are stepping in, I have confidence they can do the job. It's an opportunity for them. If they don't play, pfft, the next guy steps in and let's roll, let's go."
Jason Peters update: Eagles' all-pro tackle Jason Peters made an appearance at practice on Wednesday, though Reid stressed to the gathered media that Peters did not practice, but didn't rule out Peters returning before the end of the season.
"He's building up to play, his final goal is to play, so he's doing more work with the trainers as far as field drills and laterally cutting, trying to make sure he gets all of that down and he's comfortable with it," Reid said.
Injury update: Reid reported that RB LeSean McCoy (concussion), WR Jason Avant (hamstring), Cullen Jenkins (foot and ankle sprain), RB Chris Polk (toe) and Michael Vick (concussion) were out. Reid said that both McCoy and Vick are still in Phase I of the NFL concussion protocol.
Vick is working toward Phase II.
Reid also said that Jake Scott will start at right guard in place of Danny Watkins (ankle), who did and continues to practice.
Joseph Santoliquito is a contributing sports blogger for CBS Philly.
