Gocong: Must Be Smart Vs. Bears TE Olsen

Another week, another pass-catching threat at tight end for the Eagles to contend with.

On Sunday night, the Eagles will face Bears tight end Greg Olsen. The former first-round pick is tied for second among all tight ends with six touchdowns this season. The 6-5, 255-pound Olsen has 24 catches for 361 yards this season.

In the Eagles' two recent losses, the opposing tight end certainly played a key role. Dallas' Jason Witten caught seven passes for just 43 yards, but converted the key third down late to seal the win. San Diego's Antonio Gates moved around the formation to create opportunities as he led the team with seven catches for 78 yards.

Olsen will be a player to watch because of the injury situation for the Eagles at the linebacker position. For the second straight week, the Eagles will not have Akeem Jordan at weakside linebacker. Head coach Andy Reid ruled out Jordan on Friday. Will Witherspoon moved from the middle linebacker spot to the weak side last week. Reid did not state who will start where at any of the three linebacker spots Sunday. Chris Gocong, who started in the middle last week, said that "it's not just one thing. It's a collection of things" that explain why tight ends have had success against the Eagles.

One factor is that tight ends are usually the hot read on the blitz and the Eagles aren't shy about rushing the linebackers. According to Gocong, another reason is that it's hard to push a tight end off of his route because the tight end has outside leverage.

Gocong understands that the linebackers will be under the spotlight that much more this week because of how the Bears feature their tight ends. He said that the defense must "win first and second down" to help neutralize their impact. Last year, Olsen had four catches for 35 yards and the game's first points on a 19-yard touchdown in a 24-20 Bears win. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott detailed how Olsen is part of the tight end movement where the position has become a more involved weapon in offenses across the league.

"(Olsen) brings different things to the table. Gates obviously moves tremendously well in space but Olsen does as well," McDermott said. "I think you mix in (Redskins tight end Chris) Cooley and Witten and then (Falcons tight end Tony) Gonzalez that we'll see later on down the road here and every week is a tight end that brings something different to the table other than just blocking and catching five yard routes like they used to back in the day."

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 4:52 p.m., November 20

Jordan, Demps Out Vs. Bears

The injury woes haven't gotten much better this week. Head coach Andy Reid said on Friday that linebacker Akeem Jordan and safety Quintin Demps will miss Sunday night's game in Chicago -- Jordan with a hyperextended knee and Demps with a sprained ankle. On the plus side, it appears that cornerback Sheldon Brown has at least a chance to play -- he took part in limited practice on Friday and is listed as questionable with his hamstring injury.

Without Jordan, the Eagles are extremely thin at linebacker. The Eagles haven't said who is starting where at linebacker, other than to insist that they are ready to use "different combinations" to get the job done. The Eagles have been without middle linebacker Stewart Bradley all season, and valuable backup/starter Omar Gaither is out for the remainder of the season after suffering a Lisfranc injury a month ago.

Without Demps, Macho Harris is expected to return kickoffs. Harris saw some action there last week in the loss to the Chargers.

Also out, as expected, are wide receiver Kevin Curtis and running back Brian Westbrook. Reid said he was not ready to put Curtis, who has been bothered all season with a knee injury, on Injured Reserve. Westbrook will be out at least until he undergoes another neurological examination, which could be two weeks away.

-- Posted by Dave Spadaro, 1:22 p.m., November 20

Jackson Primed For Big Game Vs. Bears

How Aggressive Will Cutler Be Sunday Night?

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is ready to get back on the field after his five-interception performance last Thursday night in a 10-6 loss to the 49ers. For the season, Cutler has thrown a league-high 17 interceptions for the 4-5 Bears. He has completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,353 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Cutler is a gunslinger who is not afraid to use his cannon of an arm to put the ball in tight spots. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said on Thursday that he watched a play from the Bears-Cardinals game on Nov. 8 which highlighted Cutler's talents.

"He's got a rocket for an arm and he tries to fit every throw in there. That's where some of the turnovers have come on offense for them," McDermott said. "I think against the Arizona Cardinals we looked at a play (Wednesday) where he's got a guy 50 yards down the field and the defense starts to relax and he lasers one right in there."

Cutler said that there's a "fine line" between being a risk-taker who is aggressive and one who hurts his team's chances of winning.

"You've got to be able to toe that line and know in certain situations there's going to be times where you're just going to check it down or throw it away," Cutler said. "At certain times, you're going to have to put a ball in there. You're going to have to make a tough throw. That's what separates the good quarterbacks from the great quarterbacks. They're able to make those decisions and make them quickly."

Here's a look at his interceptions from the 49ers game, which shows that not all of the blame falls on Cutler's shoulders:

2nd Quarter, 3rd-and-1 at SF 1 - Out of the I-formation, Cutler takes the handoff and fakes the handoff to Matt Forte. Pressure forced Cutler to throw off of his back foot into a sea of 49ers defenders and nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin picked it off.

2nd Quarter, 1st-and-10 at SF 49 - One play after a 37-yard reception to Forte, the Bears line up in the off-set I. Cutler faked the handoff to Adrian Peterson and threw it down the right sideline for Devin Hester. Hester slipped and fell down and Tarell Brown was able to pick it off.

3rd Quarter, 3rd-and-4 at SF 43 - Out of the shotgun, Hester ran a square in and was coming across the middle when he nearly ran into the referee. That broke Hester's stride and Cutler threw it to where he expected Hester to be. Needless to say, Dashon Goldson was there instead.

4th Quarter, 3rd-and-7 at SF 47 - Cutler was in the shotgun. Center Olin Kreutz snapped a ground ball, which Cutler recovered. Cutler picked it up, stepped up in the pocket and saw Kellen Davis in one-on-one coverage. Cutler fired the ball, but safety Mark Roman had great position and picked off the ball. Cutler was looking for a pass interference call on Roman.

4th Quarter, 2nd-and-10 at SF 12 - Final play of the game, Cutler took the snap in the shotgun and stepped up in the pocket with pressure surrounding him. Cutler tried to force the ball in the back of the end zone for tight end Greg Olsen. However, there was a wall of four 49ers defenders waiting for either Olsen or Earl Bennett to get the pass attempt and former Eagle Michael Lewis sealed the win with the interception.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 10:30 a.m., November 20

Check Out This Week's Fan Friday Presented By Comcast SportsNet

If you missed out on this week's Fan Friday presented by Comcast SportsNet, make sure you send in your photos to be in next week's edition ...

 

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 8:01 a.m., November 20

Harris In Line To Return Kickoffs

Special teams coordinator Ted Daisher said that rookie safety Macho Harris could be in line to take over the kickoff return duties this week in Chicago.

"If Quintin Demps is able to play this week he'll be our returner," Daisher said in his weekly press conference. "If (Demps) is not able to play, (Macho) Harris will be our returner."

Demps hasn't practiced all week because of an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Harris missed returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice because of an eye infection. He has been equipped with a special visor on his helmet that will allow him to play this week.

"I like Macho (as a kick returner)," Daisher said. "He's very aggressive. He hits it up in there north and south, very decisive with the ball in his hands. He has some toughness. He has a good feel on how to run the ball."

Harris had two kickoff returns last week against the Chargers for an average of 28.5 yards. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin had four attempts at kickoff returns which resulted in an average gain of 18.0 yards.

"I don't think that we blocked as well for Jeremy this week," Daisher said. "I give San Diego credit, they did a nice job of covering, but as the game went on our guys did a better job of blocking and creating some seams. [Macho] came on in the end and we were starting to do a good job at the end of the game."

Daisher also discussed the recent success of kicker David Akers, who has made his last 11 field goals.

"Dave is doing a great job for us," Daisher said. "He really has been consistent. All those long kicks and everything that he's made this year is a credit to him. We just have to make sure he sustains what he's doing right now."

Akers will have his hands (or left leg) full this week in Soldier Field, a notoriously difficult stadium for kickers.

"I have a lot of background there," Daisher said. "The wind comes off of the lake. It's a very difficult place to kick on certain nights. I don't know what the weather is going to be like; we have to be prepared for it. Dave is experienced and he's been through a lot of situations so I don't think that will affect him much and we just have to see what the weather is going to be like and adjust and adapt when we get there."

Daisher, meanwhile, will have to worry about one of the most dangerous return men in the game.

"We have tremendous respect for Devin Hester," Daisher said of the Bears' wide receiver. "I've watched him over the last several years; he's obviously as good a punt returner as there has ever been in my opinion. We have to do a good job of being disciplined, staying in our lanes and executing because if you have any problems at all with your coverage, he'll exploit it."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 8:01 p.m., November 19

Mays Getting A Look At MLB

Herremans: The Offensive Scheme Is Fine

The Eagles offense was undone last week in San Diego by its inability to convert short-yardage and red zone opportunities. The Eagles were 0-for-3 when they needed 2 yards or less on third down. In the red zone, the Eagles scored six on their final two chances, but settled for field goals on their first three trips.

It's only fitting that the Eagles play in Chicago this week. Last season, the Eagles were denied three times from the 1-yard line, including on fourth down, in the fourth quarter in a 24-20 loss.

"We all remember what happened when we went up to Chicago, the problems that we had up there," left guard Todd Herremans said. "It's a new year, a new offensive line. Hopefully, we'll be able to knock those things out, especially after last week and not have those questions asked after the game."

There is debate over why the Eagles struggled last week. Is it personnel? Is it the playcalling? Is it the offensive scheme? Herremans explained the frustration of seeing the plays work in practice, but falter on gameday.

"It's not the scheme. It's just the consistency with your technique and knowing who he needs to block and where you have to go," Herremans said. "That's why it's frustrating because you go through practice, everything looks crisp and good. Then you get in stressful parts of the game, sometimes you get a little scatterbrained. You're thinking about your assignment so much that you slip up on your technique. We just have to go out there and practice and get the muscle memory going, so you don't even have to think about the steps you take and stuff like that. It's all about repetition."

Check out what Herremans had to say about the Eagles' run-pass ratio.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 1:39 p.m., November 19

Westbrook Receives An Encouraging Report

Brian Westbrook, running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, was evaluated today at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center by UPMC sports concussion specialists Dr. Joseph Maroon and Dr. Michael (Micky) Collins. Dr. Maroon is a UPMC neurosurgeon and long-time team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dr. Collins is a UPMC neuropsychologist at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, who works closely with Dr. Mark Lovell, the program's director, who is also involved in Mr. Westbrook's care.

Mr. Westbrook sustained a cerebral concussion on October 26, 2009 while playing against the Washington Redskins.  He was out for two weeks and cleared completely from his symptoms when he was re-injured on November 15, 2009 in a game against the San Diego Chargers.  At that time he experienced another much milder concussion which was not related to loss of consciousness but associated only with dizziness and headache. 

The UPMC doctors report that Mr. Westbrook's symptoms have improved significantly over the last three days.  He was re-tested today with a battery of neuro-cognitive tests, including ImPACT™ (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing), a computerized tool that is used by all NFL teams for evaluating injury recovery. He also underwent comprehensive physical and neurological exam, results of which were favorable.

"We are very encouraged by Brian's progress, we believe that he has an excellent prognosis and we expect a full recovery," reported Drs. Maroon and Collins.  "We developed a comprehensive physical rehab plan for Brian, and we will repeat the detailed testing in the next two to three weeks. 

"We commend the Eagles athletic training and medical staff for their diligent and conservative care in this particular case as well as their historical excellence in managing these types of injuries," added Dr. Lovell.

-- Posted by Dave Spadaro, 8:36 p.m., November 18

Avant: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Wide receiver Jason Avant provided the spark that ignited a fourth-quarter rally that fell just short last week in San Diego. Avant paced the offense with career-best eight-catch, 156-yard performance that included a career-long 58-yard reception.

Of course, it was Avant's acrobatic, twirling, one-handed catch in the third quarter that converted a third-and-18 and put the Eagles in position to start the rally.

While it would have been conceivable for the Eagles to look at the 28-9 deficit to the Chargers and fold in the tent for the afternoon, Avant's play showed that the Eagles would not quit. Now, Avant hopes that the late rally will inspire the team to make a strong march towards the postseason starting this Sunday in Chicago.

"Hopefully guys can bring it together. As far as talking and all of those types of things, we just need action because action speaks louder than words," Avant said. "Every guy in this locker room knows that and I'm pretty sure we're going to get their best performance this week.

Check out Avant's reaction to Donovan McNabb's "must-win" comment.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 8:20 p.m., November 18

Brown: 'Good Chance' I'll Play Sunday

McNabb: Sunday Night A 'Must-Win'

Every time quarterback Donovan McNabb leads his team into Chicago to play the Bears a lot of focus is placed on the game being a homecoming for McNabb, who grew up in the Windy City. But McNabb is extra motivated for this game not because it's his fifth trip back home, but because of how important the game is to the Eagles' season.

"This game is a little bit more special because we definitely need this game," McNabb said. "It's not for me just going back home. I think that's something early on in your career that you look forward to going home and playing in front of family and friends. I've been in the league for a while now, 11 years, and at this particular point in my career, as well as this point in the season, this is a must win for us and that's the way that we have to approach it.

"This is a game that we need to win. That's the way I'm approaching it and that's the way the other guys are approaching it as well."

McNabb is generally guarded when it comes to proclaiming a game a "must-win," but he said there's no denying the importance of this Sunday night's tilt between the 5-4 Eagles and the 4-5 Bears.

"It's the way the last two weeks have gone, also the position that we're in," he said. "Just kind of our position in the NFC ... It's important that we go out with that attitude that this is a game that we have to win to put ourselves at 6-4 with a better opportunity, a better chance going into the following week."

McNabb and the Eagles will go into Chicago without their star running back Brian Westbrook, who suffered his second concussion of the season last week against the Chargers. Westbrook is not only essential to the offense, but he's one of McNabb's best friends.

"Just as a friend and just kind of as a teammate, I think the best thing we can do is pray for (Westbrook) right now and also to have in our minds whatever decision Brian makes will be the best decision for him," McNabb said. "In this situation you have to take a step back. You have to take a step back and look at your future and look at the possibilities of what it could be. You want everybody to walk away from this game on their own terms and be able to hold their kids and play with their kids in the future, travel and take trips with their families and not have to worry about anything."

Still, McNabb is hopeful when it comes to Westbrook's future on the football field.

"I look for him to be back," McNabb said. "I think in this situation, really it's out of Brian's hands. It's in God's hands and He'll put (Westbrook) in the best position possible. I look forward to Brian being back."

In the meantime, McNabb has full confidence in his teammates, notably LeSean McCoy, to capably fill the void left by Westbrook's absence.

"I think (McCoy)'s ready to go," said McNabb. "I think, again, it goes back to just providing that confidence for him. That he understands that we're all behind him, we're supporting him and that we know he's going to do a great job.

"I think every young guy and guy who is in their first year here with the Eagles has been faced with a lot of different adversities. I think they have understood exactly the things that we have to do and what we ask of those guys to do."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 5:25 p.m., November 18