Playing defensive end is ideal for Trent Cole. Getting after the quarterback is much like his favorite hobby, hunting. When asked earlier this week how to assess Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, Cole looked to his teammate and fellow hunting buddy Jason Babin.
They agreed on a management buck. For those who aren't keen to the outdoors, that's the lower end of the upper tier. Last week, Cole didn't need any assistance to describe Saints quarterback Drew Brees. The All-Pro quarterback threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns. Cole did have a sack, along with Juqua Parker, but it wasn't enough to offset the explosive Saints offense.
"When you have a big trophy white tail sitting in front of you, you want to get after it. Sometimes he just dodges you," Cole said of Brees. "When you're in his neck of the woods, he can dodge you. You have to go on to the next play and learn from it."
That's the mission this week. Cole admitted there was a lot of hurt pride after Sunday's 48-22 loss.
"It was a down week," Cole said. "It wasn't the Eagles defense out there. It wasn't the Eagles offense out there. You can't go out there and expect to win when you're having mistakes, having turnovers. It just doesn't work.
"We have to redeem ourselves. We had a bad week last week. It's just one of those things that you have to put behind you and move forward, learn from it and take that next step."
In two games in 2009, Cole has 14 tackles, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble. His 36.5 career sacks rank seventh on the team's all-time list in just four-plus seasons.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 11:30 a.m., September 26, 2009
