The Eagles played great defense and they got a lot of offensive yards but they didn’t win on Thursday Night.  A.J. Feeley started the game for the Eagles and he complete 6 of 9 passes for 79 yards, but he broke some bones in his left hand that required surgery.  He says he’ll be ready if needed to play next week.  Rookie Kevin Kolb has another impressive game completing 22 of 33 passes for 220 yards with a TD pass.  Rookie RB Tony Hunt had a solid game with 12 carries for 49 yards (4.1 ypc).  Fellow rookie RB Nate Ilaoa was also busy with 8 carries for 23 yards (2.9 ypc) and he caught 2 passes for 32 yards.  WR Zac Collie had his moment in the spotlight on Thursday as he led the receivers of the Eagles with 4 catches for 49 yards (12.3 avg) with 1 TD grab.  The Eagles finished up with 77 yards rushing on 23 carries (3.3 ypc) on Thursday Night and they completed 28 of 43 passes for 261 yards.

The defense did a solid job against the Jets holding them to 113 yards rushing on 33 carries (3.4 ypc).  The Jets also completed 13 of 26 passes for 93 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270830021

The Philadelphia Eagles have traded 4th string QB Kelly Holcomb to the Minnesota Vikings for a 6th round pick in 2009.  This was a good move for the Eagles as they traded for Holcomb to make sure that Donovan McNabb was healthy.  As soon as McNabb proved to be ready for opening day the Eagles decided to trade Holcomb and they got good value for him with the draft pick they received for him.  Holcomb was 7 for 9 (77.8%) passing for 75 yards (101.4 QB Rating) in the pre-season for the Eagles.

The Eagles offense moved the ball up and down the football field last night but they couldn’t put many points on the scoreboard last night.  Donovan McNabb didn’t look too good as he completed 5 of 11 passes for 60 yards last night.  Rookie QB Kevin Kolb played his best game of the pre-season so far as he completed 26 of 37 passes for 242 with 1 TD pass.  Correll Buckhalter carried the bulk of the load in the running game with 10 carries for 43 yards (4.3 ypc).  Rookies Tony Hunt (7 car, 36 yards) and Nate Ilaoa (5 car, 18 yards) both looked good running the football last night also.  Tight end Lee Vickers was solid in catching 6 passes for 55 yards (9.2 avg) with 1 TD grab.  The Eagles ran the football 30 times for 125 yards (4.2 ypc) and they completed 31 of 48 passes for 279 yards.

The defense didn’t look too sharp against the pass as the Steelers completed 18 of 32 passes for 322 yards.  But, they did a good job slowing down the Steelers’ running game as they rushed for 76 yards on 23 carries (3.3 ypc).

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270826023

This was a surprise move by the Eagles as Trotter has been their run enforcer for a long time.  He played in 16 games (all starts) last season for the Eagles and he made 112 tackles, defensed 3 passes and had 1 interception.  In his NFL career, Trotter has played in 131 games and he has made 861 tackles, has 17 sacks, defensed 31 passes, forced 17 fumbles and he had 6 interceptions.  Second year man Omar Gaither will step into Trotter’s shoes at middle linebacker and he will have his work cut out for him.  He played in 16 games (5 starts) as a rookie and he made 62 tackles, had 1.5 sacks, defensed 2 passes and picked off one.

The Eagles have placed 3 players on the Injured Reserve List ending their season.  RB Ryan Moats (broken ankle), DE Jerome McDougle (torn triceps) and OL Stefan Rodgers (Lisfranc Surgery) will all miss the 2007 season.  This will hurt the Eagles depth but none of these guys were expected to be huge contributors this season.

What a beautiful sight is was to see Donovan McNabb throwing passes all over the football season last night in a dominating Eagles victory!  McNabb showed no rust at all as he completed 6 of 9 passes for 138 yards.  A.J. Feeley followed McNabb and he also looked sharp completing 7 of 10 passes for 73 yards.  Kevin Kolb looked a lot better last night than he did in his debut as he completed 11 of 16 passes for 78 yards and he also carried the ball 3 times for 15 yards (5.0 ypc).  Brian Westbrook got his work in last night carrying the ball 6 times for 16 yards (2.7 ypc) and he also caught a 6-yard pass.  Rookie Tony Hunt carried the ball 6 times for only 7 yards (1.2 ypc) but he also exhibited his power in scoring 2 TDs.  TEs Matt Schobel (3 rec, 71 yards) and rookie Brent Celek (4 rec, 45 yards) both looked exceptional last night.  Hank Baskett also was active pitching in with 3 catches for 52 yards.   The Eagles offense looked sharp last night in the passing game as they completed 24 of 35 passes for 273 yards.  But they didn’t run the ball well gaining only 67 yards on the ground in 31 carries (2.2 ypc).

The defense was sharp as a knife last night for the Eagles.  They held the Panthers to 73 yards rushing on 19 carries (3.8 ypc).  The Panthers completed 17 of 38 passes for 178 yards but Lito Sheppard stepped in front of a Jake Delhomme pass and returned it 40 yards for a TD.  It was an impressive all around night for the Eagles who looked great.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270817021

The Eagles have placed defensive end Jerome McDougle on the Injured Reserve list with a triceps problem ending his season.  He played in 14 games last season and he made 11 tackles, had 1 sack and defensed 2 passes.  This is a shame as McDougle was going to make the team and get some real playing time this season.  He has now played in 33 games in his NFL career and he has made 29 tackles, has 3 sacks and he has defensed 4 passes.

The Eagles have a nice collection of tight ends and they will be a big part of the passing offense.  L.J. Smith is the leader of the bunch.  He played in 16 games (15 starts) last season for the Eagles and he caught 50 passes for 611 yards (12.2 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  Look for similar numbers from him in 2007.  He has now played in 63 games (44 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 172 passes for 1,991 yards (11.6 avg) with 14 TD grabs.

Matt Schobel will likely be the #2 TE this season for the Eagles.  He played in 16 games (4 starts) last season and he caught 14 passes for 214 yards (15.3 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  He has now played in 79 games (17 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 104 passes for 1,152 yards (11.1 avg) with 11 TD grabs.

Rookie Brent Celek has been impressive in Training Camp and he’s turning heads.  It’s possible that he will bump Schobel down to third string if he keeps playing at such a high level.

The Eagles might not have a great WR on their roster but they have good, young improving ones.  Coach Reid likes his QBs to spread the ball around so this unit could be surprisingly good this season.  Reggie Brown stepped up last season and took the bull by the horns.  He played in 16 games (15 starts) and he caught 46 passes for 816 yards (17.7 avg) with 8 TD grabs and he also carried the ball 3 times for 24 yards (8.0 ypc) with a TD run.  Brown is just scratching the surface of his potential so he could break out this year.  He has now played in 32 games (26 starts) in his career and he has caught 89 passes for 1,387 yards (15.6 avg) with 12 TD grabs and he also has carried the ball 4 times for 29 yards (7.3 ypc) with a TD.

The Eagles saved Kevin Curtis from the Rams by signing him as a free agent.  He was stuck behind Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce in St. Louis but he is going to start in Philly.   Curtis has good hands and outstanding speed.  He also is fearless so that should play well to the Philly crowd.  Curtis played in 16 games (1 start) last season with the Rams and he caught 40 passes for 479 yards (12.0 avg) with 4 TD grabs and he also carried the ball 4 times for 4 yards (1.0 ypc).  Curtis also returned 9 kickoffs for 188 yards (20.9 avg) but he won’t have that job in Philly.  Look for Curtis to excel in Philly with a starting job.  He has now played in 51 games (11 starts) in his career and he has caught 136 passes for 1,714 yards (12.6 avg) with 12 TD grabs and he has also carried the ball 8 times for 33 yards (4.1 ypc) with 1 TD run. 

Hank Baskett was a huge surprise for the Eagles last season.  He was an undrafted rookie that the Eagles TRADED Billy McMullen for.  Baskett then dominated in the pre-season last season and he earned a spot on the Eagles.  Look for him to have an expanded role in the offense this season as he will likely be the Eagles #3 WR.   He played in 16 games (5 starts) for the Eagles as a rookie and he caught 22 passes for 464 yards (21.2 avg) with 2 TD grabs.

Greg Lewis will have to settle for the #4 WR job this season.  He played in 16 games (3 starts) for the Eagles last year and he caught 24 passes for 348 yards (14.5 avg) with 3 TD grabs and he also returned 2 kickoffs for 46 yards (23.0 avg).  The Eagles tried to trade Lewis in the off-season but they didn’t get any offers that they liked so that’s why he’s still an Eagle.  He has now played in 59 games (22 starts) and he has caught 95 passes for 1,187 yards (12.5 avg) with 3 TD grabs and he also has carried the football 6 times for 29 yards (4.8 ypc) over his career.  He also has returned 4 kickoffs for 74 yards (18.5 avg).

Jason Avant didn’t do a whole lot as a rookie as the Eagles were a little disappointed in him.  He played in only 8 games (3 starts) and he caught 7 passes for 68 yards (9.7 avg) with 1 TD grab.

The Eagles have lost running back Ryan Moats for the season after he fractured his ankle last night.  Moats was being shopped on draft day but Correll Buckhalter and Brian Westbrook are a little on the brittle side so Moats had a place on this team.  Moats’ injury likely opens up a roster spot for rookie RB Nate Ilaoa.