Strong safety Quintin Mikell used the word "embarrassing" to describe the way the Cowboys ended the Eagles' 2009 campaign.
The Cowboys amassed 426 total yards and scored 27 points in just the second quarter alone in a 34-14 win in the wild card round of the playoffs. Six days earlier, the Eagles were shut out by the Cowboys 24-0 in a game that determined the NFC East champion.
On Sunday night, the Eagles get their first crack at the Cowboys since those lackluster performances. And Mikell said the Eagles will be ready.
"I know one thing. That's not going to happen again," Mikell said on Wednesday. "We have a lot on the line, so we're going to be ready to play. This is one of the games that you circle (on the calendar) coming into the season. We're all definitely looking forward to it."
Looking back, Mikell simply said that the reason for the performance on defense was poor execution of fundamentals - specifically blocking and tackling. The Eagles overhauled the defense in the offseason. There are two new starters in the secondary (Nate Allen, Dimitri Patterson) and two at linebacker (including Stewart Bradley who was injured, Ernie Sims) than at the end of last season.
And as Mikell said, the Eagles have a lot to play for. The Eagles are in first place in the NFC East with an 8-4 record. The Cowboys are the exact opposite, although they are 3-1 since turning the reins over to interim head coach Jason Garrett.
"We're not overlooking anybody. Everybody saying they're a dangerous team. You know we're a dangerous team," Mikell said. "We're going to be ready to play. We're going to bring it."
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 7:15 p.m., December 8
