Defensive end Trent Cole, who has been nursing a strained calf that he suffered against the 49ers, felt healthy enough to go hunting during his weekend off. This coming Sunday, the 270-pound sack artist will be hunting Dallas quarterback Tony Romo.
The Eagles' pass rush has missed the seven-year veteran end. In the first four games, with Cole healthy, the defense produced 15 sacks. They've managed just three in two games without him. Cole's absence was especially detrimental for fellow-end Jason Babin, who has not notched a single sack since racking up seven in the first four games. Cole had been such a force, that he consistently drew double-teams, allowing his teammates to get more involved rushing the passer.
"It's been hard standing on the sideline," Cole said. "I'm a player that likes to get after it. I just want to come in and make an impact. Coming off our last win against the Redskins, I think we really started clicking as a defense. I want to continue with that progress this week."
Cole, who had never missed more than one game in a season before this year, is itching to get back on the field. Head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Cole was "good to go" this Sunday night when the Eagles face the Cowboys and Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo.
"Tony Romo is a quarterback who runs hot and cold," remarked Cole. "You need to get pressure on him, hit him, and tell him to stay down. When you do that, quarterbacks start to make bad decisions. We want to overwhelm teams from the very first play of the game and just get in their heads."
The man who sits third on the Eagles' list of all-time sack leaders knows that this week's game is especially significant not only because it is an essential division game, but because it is against the rival Cowboys.
"I don't like the Cowboys," Cole said, flatly. "We circle these games on our schedule every year. It's huge for the fans and for the players. That's one of the reasons I'm so excited to get back. I want to bring home a win for the fans."
Luckily, Cole said that he will be ready to contribute fully after going through the entire practice on Wednesday.
"I'm planning on playing the whole game and doing everything I can to help the team," Cole said. "Going out there (Wednesday), I felt good. I didn't get tired at all, and I felt quick. I just want to go out there and help my team out."
The "QB Killers," as Jason Babin has deemed them, along the defensive line will be looking to get to Romo early; with Cole expected to lead the hunt.
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