Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Concussions put Westbrook's future in doubt

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November 20

Washington Times

"Questionable. Such is the career status of Fort Washington, Md., native Brian Westbrook after Philadelphia's franchise running back suffered the second concussion of his NFL career in less than three weeks Sunday. "Football right now for Brian Westbrook is not the important thing," Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said this week. "It's making sure that we get him analyzed, tested and taken care of and then we'll go from there. ... I talked to him on Monday, and he was in a good place. He didn't seem rattled." Philadelphia's career leader in yards from scrimmage (9,711), the 30-year-old Westbrook left a 31-23 loss at San Diego after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Chargers safety Eric Weddle ..."

Angelo figures all Bears must do is ... play better

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November 20

Chicago Sun-Times

"Bears general manager Jerry Angelo, the man with the plan, feels your pain. He admires your fanaticism. He shares your obsession. ''We are a passionate city,'' Angelo said of an increasingly restless Bears fan base. ''We have high expectations. We expect to win. I love it. I appreciate it.'' Angelo talked to the Sun-Times before a recent game about short-term goals and the long-range plans for the franchise. He apparently doesn't care if Bob Costas gets it, but he wants Bears fans to know he's on the job, he's heard the complaints and he's committed to getting the job done right. The toast of the town after the offseason move for quarterback Jay Cutler, Angelo now has the job security of a ..."

Bears short passing game one area that's impressive

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November 20

Chicago Tribune

columnist Dan Pompei

"Instead of continuing to beat their helmets against eight-man fronts, the Bears are coming to a realization: They don't have to run the ball. At least not so much. They can throw short passes instead. Using the short passing game as a run substitute has been productive in their last two games, and the Bears are sure to continue down this road as long as they continue to get the same looks from defensive fronts. "When the run is struggling like that, there are some things you can do with screens, some quick passes, some long handoffs," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "Just get the ball out of your hands quickly to help the offensive linemen." Using the short passing game also has been a way to ..."

Bears cornerbacks must make plays against Donovan McNabb

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November 20

Chicago Tribune

"The Bears are at their best when they win the turnover battle, which might be a difficult task come Sunday. The Eagles, thanks to a relentless, blitzing defense, are second in the league with a plus-10 turnover ratio, while the Bears check in at 26th with a minus-5. Over the last two games, cornerback Zack Bowman has two interceptions. Bowman and fellow starting corner Charles Tillman, who has the team's lone defensive touchdown, will be counted on to make plays against Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and his receivers. "They're fast guys," Bowman said, referring to receivers DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant. "They don't weigh that much, but they do have some fight in them."

Doctors to Westbrook: Walk it off

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November 19

Philadelphia Daily News

"If Brian Westbrook relies on the advice of the two Pittsburgh concussion experts he saw yesterday, the Eagles' franchise running back seems likely to return to the field, quite possibly this season. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center released a statement last night, after Westbrook was examined by Dr. Joseph Maroon and Dr. Michael (Micky) Collins, a neurosurgeon and a neuropsychologist who work closely with Dr. Mark Lovell, director of the center's concussion program and developer of the treatment protocols the NFL uses. "The UPMC doctors report that Mr. Westbrook's symptoms have improved significantly over the last three days. He was retested today with a battery of ..."

Eagles' Brown a true gamer

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November 19

Wilmington News Journal

"By his estimation, Sheldon Brown hasn't missed a game that counted since sixth grade. The Eagles' veteran cornerback expects his streak to continue Sunday against Chicago, even after leaving the team's 31-23 loss to San Diego last Sunday with a hamstring injury that also kept him out of Monday's practice. Brown prides himself on durability -- one of his sticking points in his current contract dispute with team president Joe Banner -- and hasn't missed an NFL game in his career. "They got it right when it happened," Brown said of the medical staff's quick treatment. "I think there's a good chance." The Eagles have lost two straight, and already have a decimated secondary with reserve corner ..."

Eagles' running game will be fine, Reid says

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November 19

Wilmington News Journal

"Brian Westbrook's absence -- however long it might be -- leaves the Eagles without not just their top offensive weapon, but also their most experienced ball carrier by almost a decade. Without the 30-year-old Westbrook, the Eagles' rushing attack is pieced together with a 20-year-old rookie (LeSean McCoy) who's backed up by a first-year pro (Eldra Buckley) and another rookie (P.J. Hill) who hasn't played an NFL game. Eagles coach Andy Reid said Wednesday he's satisfied his stable of young running backs can carry the workload while Westbrook's future remains in doubt, adding that fullback Leonard Weaver can provide veteran leadership while also taking on more carries. "He has versatility to ..."

Doctors say Westbrook is doing better

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November 19

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Doctors examining Eagles running back Brian Westbrook said yesterday that Westbrook's concussion symptoms had improved significantly over the last three days, according to a statement issued by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "We are very encouraged by Brian's progress, we believe that he has an excellent prognosis, and we expect a full recovery," read a statement attributed to Drs. Joseph Maroon and Michael Collins. "We developed a comprehensive physical rehab plan for Brian, and we will repeat the detailed testing in the next two to three weeks." A UPMC spokesperson could not be reached for comment last night, so it was unclear how the doctors define "full recovery." In ..."

Eagles can't use injuries as an excuse

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November 19

Philadelphia Inquirer

columnist Phil Sheridan

"His team went to the Super Bowl just once and has been a mediocre disappointment ever since. No wonder Lovie Smith jumped at a question about the Eagles' injury problems in order to make a point about his own team. "You mean the Eagles or every other team in the NFL?" Smith said in a conference call with reporters yesterday. "You mean the Eagles or teams like the Chicago Bears?" There is nothing funny about injuries, but injuries are a funny thing when it comes to evaluating how a coach or a team is performing. Are there enough injuries to key players to grade on a curve? Or is it still possible to judge a coach's plan and a team's execution of that plan in spite of whatever injuries have ..."

Eagles' McCoy says he's ready for starting role

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November 19

Philadelphia Daily News

"Standing in front of his locker stall yesterday, LeSean McCoy was able to shrug his shoulders, apparently without dislodging the Eagles' playoff hopes. So there is that - the 21-year-old rookie doesn't appear to be in shock or overawed by the moment. "I've kind of been in this situation before, so it's not really a big difference," said McCoy, who should get his fourth career start Sunday night at Chicago. Yes, Brian Westbrook has missed three entire games this season and big chunks of two others, so McCoy is growing accustomed to stepping in, but this time the situation has a different feel, and McCoy knows it. Westbrook was in Pittsburgh yesterday, getting what seemed to be the green ..."

Eagles' Sheldon Brown says he has good chance to play vs. Bears

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November 19

Philadelphia Daily News

"The Eagles finally got some good injury news yesterday, when cornerback Sheldon Brown was able to participate in individual drills at the start of practice, if not team activity. Brown, who has played in all 133 games, including the postseason, since he arrived in 2002, said afterward he thinks there is a "good chance" he will be able to start Sunday night against the Chicago Bears. Officially, Brown was a "limited" practice participant. Less surprising but no less welcome was the return to full practice of left tackle Jason Peters, who missed Sunday's game in San Diego with a sprained ankle after saying as recently as Friday that he would play. "It wasn't even at 50 percent" by game time ..."

Eagles teammates prepared to accept McNabb's challenge vs. Bears

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November 19

Philadelphia Daily News

"DONOVAN McNabb doesn't make guarantees. Those often tiresome proclamations of certain victory in a crucial upcoming game just aren't his style. But now, with the sunset of his career being much closer than the sunrise, he does view this week's visit to Soldier Field with great import. Not because it's a homecoming for the Chicago native, but because the Eagles are dripping oil and in desperate need of a win. Oh, and in case you hadn't heard, star running back Brian Westbrook will not play. "I've been in the league for a while now, 11 years, and at this particular point in my career, as well as this point in the season, this is a must win for us and that's the way that we have to approach ..."

Donovan McNabb dodges questions about Jay Cutler

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November 19

Chicago Tribune

"While Donovan McNabb still hears talk about the possibility of finishing his career back home, the Eagles quarterback is fine letting Jay Cutler handle all the scrutiny in Chicago for now. One national writer recently suggested coach Lovie Smith bench Cutler if he has another performance like last Thursday's five-interception night against the 49ers. Cutler leads the league with 17 interceptions. McNabb, who was pulled at one point last season, was asked for his thoughts about a quarterback dealing with such a demotion. "Nobody wants to be benched," he said. "I'm sure you guys don't want to be pulled from writing your great articles that you guys write ... a suspension for a week or two. ..."

Doctors say Westbrook is doing better

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November 19

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Doctors examining Eagles running back Brian Westbrook said yesterday that Westbrook's concussion symptoms had improved significantly over the last three days, according to a statement issued by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "We are very encouraged by Brian's progress, we believe that he has an excellent prognosis, and we expect a full recovery," read a statement attributed to Drs. Joseph Maroon and Michael Collins. "We developed a comprehensive physical rehab plan for Brian, and we will repeat the detailed testing in the next two to three weeks." A UPMC spokesperson could not be reached for comment last night, so it was unclear how the doctors define "full recovery." In ..."

Schedule starts to tilt for Eagles

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November 18

Wilmington News Journal

"At 5-4, the Eagles aren't where they or their fans had hoped they would be. But that doesn't mean they need a miraculous turnaround reminiscent of last year's late-season push to make the playoffs. They haven't really hit rock bottom yet. The roughest part of the schedule is behind them, and even though they're coming off two straight losses, the Eagles finished their grueling four-game stretch against three NFC East opponents and a West Coast road foe at 2-2. It's not the end of the world, especially given the relative easiness of their remaining schedule. None of their next four opponents has a better record than the Eagles, and the first two -- Chicago and Washington -- are a combined ..."

Westbrook at center of concussion controversy

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November 18

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Brian Westbrook will spend today at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center visiting concussion specialists. After suffering his second concussion in 20 days in the third quarter of the Eagles' loss at San Diego on Sunday, the team said yesterday that Westbrook would consult with neuropsychologist Mark R. Lovell and neurosurgeon Joseph Maroon. Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder said Lovell had been communicating with the team's medical staff on the running back's condition since he suffered the first concussion in an Oct. 26 game at Washington. Westbrook was knocked unconscious after taking a knee to the helmet from middle linebacker London Fletcher in that game and sat out the Eagles' ..."

Answer for the Eagles? They could try Iverson

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November 18

Philadelphia Inquirer

columnist Bob Ford

"Now that their first experiment with rehabilitating the image and playing career of a former quarterback has been so wildly successful, it's obviously time for the Eagles to reach out again and build on that strategy. Allen Iverson - wherever you are, whatever you are doing - stop right now and send a text to Mr. Tony Dungy. He can make this thing happen. I know what you're thinking. Yes, it has been a long time since Iverson was the starting quarterback for state champion Bethel High School in Hampton, Va. A lot of mileage and quite a few bad casino markers have rolled under his tires and been stuffed into his glove compartment since then. But, hey, the Eagles made it work with Michael ..."

Rich Hofmann: Eagles can't afford to fall short against Bears

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November 18

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Rich Hoffman

"SUNDAY NIGHT, Soldier Field, Chicago. Also known as the scene of the crime. Late last September, this is really where it started for the Eagles. It was the fourth game of the season. To that point, they had thumped the hapless Rams in the opener, lost a memorable shootout in Dallas and beaten Pittsburgh in an impressive, low-scoring game. Then it happened. Trailing by 24-20. Less than 6 minutes to play. First-and-goal at the 4. It was hard to know what to think about the Eagles before that moment. They had looked pretty solid overall. They were never going to be a great running team, partly because of their personnel and partly because of their coach's particular predilections, but things ..."

Why playoffs are not for the Birds

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November 18

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Paul Domowitch

"CONSIDERING THE PATH the Eagles took to earn their last two postseason invitations, you half expect Andy Reid to open his midweek news conference today by saying, "OK, we got 'em right where we want 'em, boys." After back-to-back losses to the Cowboys and Chargers, Reid's Eagles will lug a disappointing 5-4 record to Chicago for Sunday night's game against the Bears. This is familiar November territory for them. A year ago, they were a seemingly dead-in-the-water 5-5-1 after a home loss to the Giants, an ugly, 13-13 overtime tie with the Bengals and a 29-point road loss to the Ravens that saw a desperate Reid bench his five-time Pro Bowl quarterback, Donovan McNabb, who was playing lousy ..."

Eagles' Westbrook to visit two doctors to consult on concussions

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November 18

Philadelphia Daily News

"Brian Westbrook's search for answers, as he begins to plot his course following a second concussion in as many games, begins today in Pittsburgh, where the Eagles' franchise running back will consult with a pair of experts.The Eagles confirmed Westbrook will visit with Dr. Mark Lovell and then with his colleague, Dr. Joseph Maroon. Lovell has been involved in Westbrook's treatment since he sustained his first concussion, Oct. 26 at Washington, the team said. Maroon apparently has not.Westbrook, 30, returned to the field Sunday for the first time since his initial injury and was concussed again on a helmet-to-helmet collision with Chargers safety Eric Weddle, after Westbrook caught a ..."

Playoff berth still in Eagles' sights

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November 18

Camden Courier-Post

"At 5-4, the Eagles aren't where they or their fans had hoped they'd be right now. But that doesn't mean they need a miraculous turnaround reminiscent of last year's late-season push to make the playoffs. They haven't really hit rock bottom yet. The roughest part of their schedule is behind them, and even though they're coming off two straight losses the, Eagles finished a grueling four-game stretch -- three NFC East opponents and another West Coast road foe -- at 2-2. It's not the end of the world, especially given the relative easiness of their remaining schedule. None of their next four opponents have better records than the Eagles, and the first two -- Chicago and Washington -- are a ..."

For Westbrook, precaution all in vain

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November 17

Wilmington News Journal

"Eagles coach Andy Reid said the team followed all the medical experts' advice. He even sat Brian Westbrook out for an extra week as a precaution after the running back suffered his first concussion three weeks ago. Now, Westbrook's season, and possibly his career, could be in jeopardy after he suffered another concussion in the Eagles' 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday -- his first game back. Reid said Monday that "it's too early to tell right now" if Westbrook will be able to return this season. The chances, however, appear slim. Westbrook missed three weeks after his first concussion, which Reid said was more serious because the running back lost consciousness for a few ..."

Eagles short-circuiting on short plays

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November 17

Wilmington News Journal

"The Eagles kept settling for field goals when they needed touchdowns. That red-zone inefficiency has been a constant theme, and it came back to haunt the Eagles on Sunday in a 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers. The first three times the Eagles got inside the Chargers' 10-yard line, they ended up with field goals. On the first, running backs Leonard Weaver and Eldra Buckley were stopped at the goal line. "Short-yardage situations, we have to do better there," Eagles coach Andy Reid said Monday. "When you're given opportunities again in the red zone and you have a number of shots at it, then you have to make sure that you score touchdowns." When asked if it's a lack of execution or poor ..."

Future of Eagles' Westbrook in doubt

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November 17

Camden Courier-Post

"Eagles coach Andy Reid said he did everything the medical experts recommended. He even sat out Brian Westbrook for an extra week as a precaution after the running back suffered his first concussion three weeks ago. Now, Westbrook's season, not to mention his career, could be in jeopardy after the running back suffered another concussion Sunday in the Eagles' 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers in his first game back. Reid said Monday, "It's too early to tell right now if Westbrook will be able to return this season." The chances, however, don't look good. Westbrook missed three weeks after his first concussion, which Reid said was more serious because Westbrook lost consciousness for a ..."

For Westbrook, precaution all in vain

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November 17

Camden Courier-Post

"Eagles coach Andy Reid said the team followed all the medical experts' advice. He even sat Brian Westbrook out for an extra week as a precaution after the running back suffered his first concussion three weeks ago. Now, Westbrook's season, and possibly his career, could be in jeopardy after he suffered another concussion in the Eagles' 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday -- his first game back. Reid said Monday that "it's too early to tell right now" if Westbrook will be able to return this season. The chances, however, appear slim. Westbrook missed three weeks after his first concussion, which Reid said was more serious because the running back lost consciousness for a few ..."

Red-zone ills haunt Eagles

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November 17

Camden Courier-Post

"The Eagles kept settling for field goals when they need touchdowns. That red-zone inefficiency has been a constant theme for them and it came back to haunt them again Sunday in their 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers. The first three times the Eagles got inside the Chargers' 10-yard line, they ended up with field goals. On the first, both running backs Leonard Weaver and Eldra Buckley were stopped at the goal line. "Short-yardage situations, we have to do better there," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "When you're given opportunities again in the red zone and you have a number of shots at it, then you have to make sure that you score touchdowns." When asked if it's a lack of execution or ..."

Tough for Eagles to replace Westbrook

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November 17

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Les Bowen

"WHEN DONOVAN McNABB was asked Sunday about the impact of losing Brian Westbrook again, the quarterback talked about the importance of veteran leadership. It was a theme McNabb brought up earlier in the season, when asked what the loss of Kevin Curtis meant to the receiving corps.Lots of fans have forgotten Curtis was ever part of the receiving corps, and some are just as eager to put the Westbrook Era behind them; the Eagles have all these bright, shiny new toys. Why hang onto the old and infirm?My answer is, because they aren't going to the Super Bowl behind a 21-year-old Shady McCoy.Maybe it seems silly to bring up the Super Bowl, with the Birds at 5-4. They aren't numbered in the realm ..."

With Westbrook out, Eagles likely to call on McCoy

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November 17

Philadelphia Daily News

"THE FINAL play for Brian Westbrook in the Eagles' 31-23 Sunday loss at San Diego came in the third quarter. Westbrook went out for a screen pass from Donovan McNabb, the sort of play he'd been involved with countless times before during his eight NFL seasons, when things went very, very wrong.Westbrook appeared to trip over guard Stacy Andrews and became wedged between wide receiver Jason Avant, who was setting up to block, and Chargers safety Eric Weddle, who came up fast to make the stop. There was a collision - a teeth-jarring one - and Westbrook got the worst of it."He was foggy when he stood up and walked off the field," Eagles coach Andy Reid said yesterday at the NovaCare Complex of ..."

Plenty of blame for red-zone troubles

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November 17

Philadelphia Inquirer

"There are statistics you want to lead the NFL in and ones you don't. And there are some a bit more complex. For instance, there is leading the league in scoring offense inside the 20-yard line - also known as the red zone. The Eagles are tops in the NFL in converting red-zone possessions into points, scoring on 21 of 23 tries.While that may sound nice, it is not, because 10 of the scores were field goals. The Eagles are 23d in the league in scoring touchdowns from inside the 20.In their 31-23 loss to San Diego on Sunday, the Eagles settled for three field goals on their first three trips inside the Chargers' 20. Each time, they drove to the 7-yard line or closer, and each time they failed ..."

Decision awaiting Westbrook

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November 17

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Now the decisions become far more difficult for Brian Westbrook and the Eagles.After suffering his second concussion in as many games over three weeks, the veteran running back must decide what risk he is willing to take to continue his NFL career."I've heard a couple different things on that," Eagles coach Andy Reid said when asked about the seriousness of a second concussion in such a short time. "Obviously, it's not a good thing for a second one to happen. I don't know the medical terms of it. I will get that information as we go throughout the week here. I've heard them determine it by if it was a mild hit as compared to a severe hit."Westbrook wasn't available for comment yesterday ..."

Shut Westbrook down for season

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November 17

Philadelphia Inquirer

columnist Phil Sheridan

"It was like watching a live reenactment of a highlight from the past, like getting to see Randall Cunningham scramble again or Julius Erving soaring in for a dunk.Donovan McNabb dropped back and flipped a little screen pass over the heads of the Chargers' defensive linemen. And there was Brian Westbrook, gathering it in with open space in front of him. Just like the old days.It was a bittersweet moment - a reminder of just how breathtaking Westbrook could be, how utterly impossible to cover, but also of how long it had been since we had seen that. And with that, of course, came the realization that we might never see Westbrook truly be Westbrook again.Even before the two concussions, three ..."

Sheldon Brown could miss Bears game

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November 17

Philadelphia Inquirer

"For the second straight week, the Eagles spent Monday scrambling to address roster issues, and cornerback was the place they had to focus on the most.Coach Andy Reid indicated that Sheldon Brown's hamstring injury was serious, which could force the veteran cornerback to miss a game for the first time in his career when the Eagles play the Chicago Bears on Sunday night at Soldier Field.The Eagles did not make a roster move yesterday, but if they determine Brown cannot play, they may have to add a cornerback at some point this week. One possibility is Ahmad Carroll, a former first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers who was released by the New York Jets yesterday.Brown's injury would also ..."

Reid: Westbrook could be out for season

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November 16

Wilmington News Journal

"Eagles coach Andy Reid said today that "it's too early to tell right now" if running back Brian Westbrook will be able to return this season after Westbrook suffered his second concussion in three weeks during the Eagles' 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. Westbrook was injured in the third quarter when he got sandwiched between wide receiver Jason Avant, who was blocking for him, and a Chargers defender who hit him. Reid called it a "big hit." Westbrook never lost consciousness. In fact, he stood up and walked off the field under his own power. But Reid said Westbrook seemed "foggy." "I could sense something was wrong," Reid said. Westbrook suffered his first concussion on ..."

Westbrook's 2nd concussion raises questions

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November 16

Wilmington News Journal

"The Eagles waited three weeks for Brian Westbrook to get better, and they believed the running back had satisfied all the criteria needed to get back on the field without risking another concussion. But that's exactly what happened anyway. On Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, in his first game back from the first concussion of his career, Westbrook sustained another one. Now, there are serious questions about the rest of his season and his career -- not to mention the Eagles' offense without him. But Eagles coach Andy Reid had very few answers after the game, a 31-23 loss at Qualcomm Stadium that dropped the Eagles to 5-4. How did Westbrook get hurt? "He got hit," Reid said. "I don't ..."

Red-zone ineptitude dooms Eagles

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November 16

Wilmington News Journal

"Southern California cities are infamous for late-arriving, fair-weathered sports crowds. It only seems appropriate that the Eagles on Sunday were spectators for almost three quarters before finally showing up to Qualcomm Stadium. They settled for field goals on their first three trips inside the San Diego 10-yard line, let LaDainian Tomlinson rediscover his youth and dug themselves into a hole so deep that even a furious fourth-quarter comeback wasn't enough. It all amounted to another narrow-margin loss, a 31-23 defeat at Qualcomm Stadium that dropped them to 5-4, their exact same record at this point last season. "You can't get into the red zone three times early and not be able to punch ..."

Tomlinson delivers

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November 16

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shaun Phillips walked off the field, helmet in hand, teammates all around, and yelled something that seemed unfathomable a month ago. "Somebody's tied for first place." Yep. When are we going to learn?"

Bolts down Eagles, now tied for first

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November 16

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Little more than 3½ weeks ago, they were 3½ games out of first place. They had all sorts of defensive shortcomings, no running game to speak of and no reason to think LaDainian Tomlinson would be able to bring it back to life. Catch the Denver Broncos? Again? Puh-lease."

Westbrook's 2nd concussion raises questions

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November 16

Camden Courier-Post

"The Eagles waited three weeks for Brian Westbrook to get better, and they believed the running back had satisfied all the criteria needed to get back on the field without risking another concussion. But that's exactly what happened anyway. On Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, in his first game back from the first concussion of his career, Westbrook sustained another one. Now, there are serious questions about the rest of his season and his career -- not to mention the Eagles' offense without him. But Eagles coach Andy Reid had very few answers after the game, a 31-23 loss at Qualcomm Stadium that dropped the Eagles to 5-4. How did Westbrook get hurt? "He got hit," Reid said. "I don't ..."

California Screamin': Eagles fall again

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November 16

Camden Courier-Post

"The Eagles used to have problems scoring touchdowns late in games. But today, they made five trips to the red zone -- four of them inside the 10-yard line -- but settled for field goals on the first three attempts. Those missed opportunities led to another narrow-margined loss after the Eagles' bid for a comeback fell short in their 31-23 loss at Qualcomm Stadium - their second straight defeat, which dropped them to 5-4, their exact same record at this point last season. The Eagles trailed 28-9 after LaDanian Tomlinson's second touchdown and looked primed for another West Coast flop until Donovan McNabb sparked the Eagles' offense to touchdowns on consecutive drives, both in the red zone. ..."

Concussion causes concern for Eagles' Westbrook

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November 16

Philadelphia Inquirer

"In the dank, cloistered visitors' locker room at Qualcomm Stadium, Brian Westbrook got dressed with his back to a swarm of reporters.An hour or so earlier, the Eagles running back had suffered his second concussion in two games spread over three weeks. The Eagles' 31-23 loss to San Diego yesterday seemed secondary in light of the severity of Westbrook's injury.The question was whether this will be the end of Westbrook's season or even his career.Westbrook declined to answer questions after the game. Standing in the stall to his left was rookie LeSean McCoy, Westbrook's backup. He was asked if he was concerned about his teammate's condition."He looks good to me. You can ask him if you ..."

Eagles taken down by Chargers

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November 16

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Donovan McNabb stepped up in the pocket and fired a hope and a prayer into the end zone.The pass was the quarterback's 55th of the day and landed in the arms of cornerback Antonio Cromartie for an interception that secured the San Diego Chargers' 31-23 win over the battered and bruised Eagles yesterday at Qualcomm Stadium.The Eagles' bid for a comeback victory had come up short, but McNabb and the team knew they had botched this one long before the fourth quarter started.Three times in the second and third quarters they had the football inside the Chargers' 10-yard line and three times they settled for three points."When you have those opportunities to score, we have to pound it in there," ..."

Patchwork D comes up short

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November 16

Philadelphia Inquirer

columnist Bob Ford

"Even though it seems like a risky idea in the heart of an NFL season, it turns out you can take an outside linebacker and make him the middle linebacker on less than a week's notice.And you can also have two cornerbacks go missing, and, additionally, find yourself forced to start a free safety who might or might not be able to play. There can be players elevated from the practice squad and players signed from somewhere else, and they can all be thrown into the mix. All of that can happen, and the defense can take the field with more patches than the English faculty coat closet.You just can't win that way very often.The Eagles lost to the San Diego Chargers, 31-23, for a number of reasons ..."

Gocong gets mixed results on debut as MLB

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November 16

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Here was Chris Gocong's assignment yesterday: Play a position you haven't lined up at since high school, and do it even though you missed the last game with multiple injuries.The results were mixed in the Eagles' second straight loss, a 31-23 defeat at the hands of the San Diego Chargers.With the injury to weakside linebacker Akeem Jordan, Gocong was moved from his regular spot on the strong side to the middle so that Will Witherspoon could replace Jordan. Moise Fokou filled in for Gocong at strong-side linebacker and led the team with 10 tackles.Aside from roaming the middle, Gocong had to make all the calls on defense."I would say it was pretty good," Gocong, who finished with four ..."

Brown's injury another blow to Eagles secondary

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November 16

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The injuries just keep on coming.Before the Eagles even took the field yesterday at Qualcomm Stadium, they learned that left tackle Jason Peters, their top off-season acquisition, would not play because of a sprained ankle.By the time they were finished with their 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers, two more prominent players were confined to the sideline.Cornerback Sheldon Brown left after one series in the third quarter because of a hamstring injury he suffered during a first-quarter punt, and running back Brian Westbrook left after suffering his second concussion in as many games during the third quarter."I'm going to have an MRI in the morning," Brown said. "It's one of those things ..."

With Westbrook out, Eagles' future becomes their now

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November 16

Philadelphia Inquirer

columnist Phil Sheridan

"The future of the Eagles offense is here, whether you (or they) are ready or not. Sometime in the third quarter, Brian Westbrook left the game with his second concussion in three weeks. It is fair to wonder whether he should have been playing at all. It is also fair to wonder whether he will, or should, play again this season. Or ever, for that matter. "We have to understand what's at stake," quarterback Donovan McNabb said. "The head is something you just don't play with." If the Eagles truly did take every precaution before allowing Westbrook to return to action 21 days after being knocked cold at Washington, then they will have to err on the side of extreme caution now. Westbrook should ..."

Chargers' Tomlinson seems reborn after good news

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November 16

Philadelphia Daily News

"LaDainian Tomlinson arrived at his locker under Qualcomm Stadium yesterday to find a small package and the growing whispers that his best days as an NFL running back were far behind.Soft-spoken and not prone to argument, there was little he could do about the latter so he busied himself with the package. Picking it up, he discovered it was from his wife and that on it she had written, "Open Immediately.""I was thinking it was a necklace or something, I don't know," Tomlinson said, half-giggling, the laughter having little to do with the Chargers' 31-23 win over the Eagles.The package didn't contain jewelry but something far more precious: a pregnancy test."My wife is pregnant," Tomlinson ..."

In loss to Chargers, McNabb puts up career passing numbers

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November 16

Philadelphia Daily News

"It was not a postgame topic for conversation, given that the Eagles were on the short end of a 31-23 score, but quarterback Donovan McNabb put up some huge numbers in defeat.McNabb completed 35 of 55 passes for 450 yards and two touchdowns. It was the second 400-yard passing day of his career. The other came on Dec. 5, 2004, against Green Bay. The 35 completions also tied a career record for McNabb, set in 2005 against the Chargers."The pass was there for us - that's why we were so effective today in the pass," McNabb said. "We were clicking. When you're hot with something, you stay with it. And that's what we did."There have been times this year when it seemed as if McNabb was holding the ..."

Eagles find Avant again

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November 16

Philadelphia Daily News

"You put a MiG-25 on one side and an F-14 Tomcat on the other, the P-51 Mustang between them is going to get some action. Speedy, deadly receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin spent much of the day attracting two defensive backs each, safeties dropping, rolling their way, leaving the soft underbelly wide open for sure-handed, sure-footed Jason Avant. And Avant killed the Chargers. His eight catches for 156 yards eclipsed his previous bests by one catch and 55 yards. Avant was the main reason Donovan McNabb managed 450 passing yards, just 14 short of his career best. And Avant did it with style. Generally considered the Eagle with the best hands, the go-to guy on third down, Avant ..."

Eagles defense comes up small in big moment

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November 16

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Paul Domowitch

"Battered and bloody after absorbing 28 points worth of punches from Philip Rivers and the Chargers, redemption was just one drive-stop away for the Eagles' defense yesterday afternoon. The Eagles, who had trailed by as many as 19 points, had climbed back to within five with 7:12 left in the game when Donovan McNabb hit tight end Brent Celek with a 6-yard scoring toss. Now, it was up to the defense. Now, they had to shut the Chargers down and get the ball back to McNabb and see if he had a fourth-quarter comeback in him. "We felt we had the momentum at that point and were riding high," said strong safety Quintin Mikell, whose unit had forced the Chargers to go three-and-out on their ..."

Chargers keep Eagles' DeSean Jackson under control

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November 16

Philadelphia Daily News

"You would never know the guy had come home and notched a career high in catches. That he had been part of an Eagles air attack that torched the Chargers for 450 yards.All you'd know is, as his big-play star continues to rise, DeSean Jackson was largely coincidental yesterday. That his Eagles came up touchdown-empty in their first three trips into the Chargers' red zone and lost because of it. That his right ankle hurt, the freshest of a series of leg injuries that have nagged him, if not slowed him, this season.Jackson's biggest play of the day, a punt return to midfield, was called back because of a penalty - and caused him the injury.There was little opportunity for others, since the ..."

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