Head coach Andy Reid reminded his players of a similar situation the Eagles faced not that long ago.

In 2002, the Eagles lost quarterback Donovan McNabb for the remaining six games of the regular season because of a fractured ankle. The Eagles were 7-3 at that point, but there were concerns that the Eagles could crumble without their Pro Bowl quarterback. The Eagles went on the road the following week against a favored San Francisco team and routed the 49ers, 38-17.

Four years later, the circumstances are almost the same. The Eagles will head on the road this week to Indianapolis against a Colts team that will be heavily favored. McNabb is out for the season, this time with a torn ACL, and yes, there are six games left in the season. But the Eagles are 5-5 this time around and they have struggled with some of the game's basic fundamentals this season, more specifically tackling, catching passes and discipline.

Reid had DT Darwin Walker and the rest of the defense in pads

"It happens with teams. You have to work your way through it like a batter hitting a ball," said Reid. "You go through a slump and you have to work through it. That's the only way to get through it. We're going to keep pushing through and get it right.

"I don't think there's any time for people to think negative right now, not on this football team. Other people can do that, but on this football team there's no time for that."

Reid sensed the need for a little change and he did just that. In addition to naming Jeff Garcia the starting quarterback, Garcia started for the 49ers in that game in 2002, Reid announced on Wednesday during his press conference that the team would practice in pads and the defense would tackle the scout team. That is not normal for this point in the season. The players usually wear shells and do not tackle during practices at this point in the year.

"They'll be in pads today. It's the only way I know how to fix it, and the players understand that," said Reid, who had the Eagles practice indoors with crowd noise pumped in to simulate Indianapolis' RCA Dome. "It is (unusual), but I think it's important right now. You've got to put a little emphasis on the tackling part of it if it's not getting done right."

The team's inability to tackle cost them two touchdowns last Sunday in the 31-13 loss to the Titans. Running back Travis Henry ran virtually untouched for a 70-yard touchdown through the middle of the defensive line in the third quarter. Later in the same quarter, Pacman Jones returned a punt 90 yards for a score after breaking through several tackles.

On offense, the Eagles have been stymied by dropped passes all season. Without McNabb, the offense can not afford to continue this if they hope to make a playoff run. Reid said the problem is correctable and gave his solution on how to fix it.

"They have to go right back to the basics and that's looking the football all the way in and not pulling your eyes off it to make a play down the field," said Reid. "You exaggerate it all the way into your hands and into the tuck position."

If the tackling and the dropped passes were not enough, you can add penalties to the list of the Eagles' problems. The Eagles are tied for fifth in the NFL in total penalties this season with 70 for 620 yards, which is nearly 10 more penalties than the NFL average.

"They're pretty realistic about things," said Reid. "They haven't fought the coaching part of it. They want to be good. I don't question that part."