The Eagles’ already questionable wide receiving corps just became even shakier with the news Friday that Reggie Brown is doubtful for the season opener at Lincoln Financial against the St. Louis Rams. Brown is doubtful with a hamstring problem and Kevin Curtis is out with a sports hernia. The Eagles are almost certain to be playing without their top two wide receivers.
That’s a problem for just about any team, regardless of how suspect the starters are in the first place. But since the Eagles’ starters are not exactly All Pro-caliber in the firs place, the drop in talent isn’t quite as precipitous from Reggie Brown to Hank Baskett as it would be from, say, Terrell Owens to Sam Hurd.
“You know, I’d love to have them, but I’m not worried about it either,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said of his starting wideouts. “The other guys are good players and that’s why they’re here. They’ve been with us for a while and, with the exception of DeSean [Jackson], they have all played and played well, given the opportunity.”
So, there you go. Don’t chalk up an L just yet, even though Jackson is going to be starting opposite either Baskett or Greg Lewis. It’s not exactly like the Rams are worldbeaters. They are coming off a 3-13 season and their start running back, Steven Jackson, returned from a training camp holdout just several weeks back. He did not see any preseason action. But the Rams are a young, athletic team, and anyone in the NFL is dangerous.
Here are some interesting notes to keep in mind as you watch Sunday’s game:
· The Eagles haven’t been very good early in the season under Reid. They are just 3-6 in openers since he took over.
· Left tackle Tra Thomas will be going up against Chris Long, the Rams’ first-round pick (2nd overall). It could be a tough matchup for Thomas. Long is known to have a high motor. Two years ago, however, Thomas shut down first-overall pick Mario Williams in his first career game.
· Stewart Bradley will be starting just his second career game at middle linebacker for the Eagles. Despite all the high hopes, the Birds’ linebackers still have something to prove.
· Chris Clemons is healthy and knows enough of the defense that he will be used in pass-rushing situations. There was some doubt whether the Eagles’ coaches felt comfortable enough to put him in the game after he missed most of training camp with a wide variety of injuries and ailments.
· If you see a familiar face on the sidelines or in the crowd wearing St. Louis gear, it could be former Penn State cornerback Justin King. The Rams’ fourth-round pick is on injured reserve and out for the season with a toe injury.
