Trent Cole & Jason Peters To Return vs Cowboys

by JasonB on Oct 26, 2011 1:02 PM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 11: Trent Cole #58 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after recording a sack against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on September 11, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Eagles defeated the Rams 31-15. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)

The Eagles will welcome back two major pieces this weekend when they host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. At his Wednesday press conference, head coach Andy Reid declared that pro bowlers Trent Cole and Jason Peters are "good to go" and will start against Dallas.

The Eagles have been without the pair for the last two games after both were injured against the 49ers. Cole has been nursing a calf injury while Peters has been rehabbing a hamstring. The offensive line has fared surprisingly well without Peters as King Dunlap did a solid job against the Bills and Todd Herremans was outstanding at LT against the Redskins. Still, Peters on the left and Herremans back on the right is the optimal lineup to protect protect Michael Vick against a Cowboys team with good edge rushers.

While the offensive line has played well in Peters absence, the pass rush has clearly struggled without Cole. After leading the NFL in sacks with him, the line has managed just three sacks in the last two games in his absence. That said, they did turn in by far their best effort of the season against the Redskins last week.

Cole's return means the Eagles will now be able to rotate at least four healthy defensive ends, which should help to keep the starting duo of Cole and Jason Babin fresh as the season goes on. Darryl Tapp, who has been starting in Cole's place, was injured in week one and Cole was forced to play nearly every snap. Now those two can share the duties while a healthy Juqua Parker can split time with Babin.

Also returning soon will be Eagles 2010 first round pick Brandon Graham, who is practicing this week and is eligible to come off the PUP list after undergoing knee surgery last season. He'll likely take some time to get up to speed, but he could be a major piece when he's fully healthy.

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There has been a lot of talk about Graham's expectations.

I think the better word (and I dont want to mince words Shady/EagleEyes) but the word I prefer is HOPES. As a guy we traded up for and just as a first round pick in general, I have high hopes that he will be as dominant as he once was. I am hoping now, because to EXPECT anything from a guy who has been out for a long time, coming back from a bad injury, and likely not close to “football shape” would be the wrong thing to do. That would set him up to fail. But, I HOPE he is the beast we thought he would be … soon.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Oct 26, 2011 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

sorry man

that shit got out of hand quickly….. movin on……

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Oct 26, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Ive said it before, I'll say it again...

At the end of this season, and Im surprised we didnt make a move on this before the deadline, one or more of our DE’s will be on the way out. My guess is Parker. I like him I think he is good, very good in fact (minus the jumping offsides). But he is good enough to get bigger dollars for in a trade than Hunt or Tapp. And he is older, and we all know how the FO doesnt like old dogs.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Oct 26, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

They seem to love Parker … a lot…. Id say they may even like him more than Tapp…. I don’t but, who knows. History says that you’re right (old dogs).

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Oct 26, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I would have made a deal before the trade deadline:

Parker and a pick for a LB … Im assuming there werent many teams willing to part with a starting caliber LB.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Oct 26, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha, I need a joint to understand that.

Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant

by EagleGreeninMD on Oct 26, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

You and me both

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Oct 26, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

ok this has been on my mind since last week

Were Allen and Coleman’s performances flukes or are these two turning a corner? Is The thought of having two good young and tough safeties is too much to dream about?

by VRFC8 on Oct 26, 2011 1:53 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

its hard to say

They are young and in a new system….. could go either way….its such a fine line (a successful play vs a dreadfull play).

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Oct 26, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. But the scheme we played really seemed to work with them. The only fear I have left is them getting too nosey. But both flashed good ball skills. They r def going to play a large role in the game this weekend.

by VRFC8 on Oct 26, 2011 2:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I hope they do. We are going to need all the help we can get with their WRs. I still think we need to stick someone on Witten at all times. I nominate Rolle.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Oct 26, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

rolle won't lock witten down

but then again witten does some off-key things. I seen him get shoved out of bounds a few weeks ago by a little cb at the 2 yard line with a full head of steam. Anything is possible i suppose

by phillyfan330 on Oct 26, 2011 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

we should put

Clayton against him again. He did a fairly good jkob against him last game. Sure no Tony Romo but Clayton has good cover skills.

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Oct 26, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Rolle has shown me some bright spots in coverage, that is why I thought he would be good shadowing him.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Oct 26, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd be hesitant putting Clayton in...

…I mean, for as nice a role as he had carved out last year, you have to wonder why the hell he isn’t being used at all now. Besides, I think Rolle covers well and has the added bonus of playing the run well. I say continue with the continuity of the linebackers as long as they are making improvement.

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Oct 26, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Sentence fail

by VRFC8 on Oct 26, 2011 1:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Allen was great before his injury so I assume he is turning the corner to his former self.

Coleman was very good all preseason, then the regular season came and he seemed to have lost his mojo. Hoping he is getting better. Also, the secondary scheme changed recently, and that could be a big part of it too.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Oct 26, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s amazing we can be 6 games into the season and still not know how good a player is….

by VRFC8 on Oct 26, 2011 2:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

seriously, right?

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Oct 26, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Would it be better to get Todd H back at guard and Justice at RT?

Also, has Jamal Jackson played at all this year? Its time to bring him back at Center.

Every time a Cowboy hates, an Eagle gets his wings.

by Spurs Yoda on Oct 26, 2011 2:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

No, he hasn't

and Justice is not healthy. Todd Herremans is without a doubt our best option there right now.

I think we should put JJax in when we’re in goal-to-go situations. Inside the 5, especially. Kelce just gets no push down there for Shady and Mike.

by phi7 on Oct 26, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

with our luck we would find a way to fumble it if Jackson came in on the goaline. Like the idea, just dont think they would go for it, or execute it.

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Oct 26, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I have faith in Mudd.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Oct 26, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

That I agree with. The turn around time on this line, with a new system is amazing. The guy only has one good leg, but he sure can coach.

It’s so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don’t say it.

by sb2bowl on Oct 26, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

anyone remeber saturday's prediction?

he said we wouldn’t allow anywhere near 50 sacks this season. So far he looks like nostradomus with that assumtion.

by phillyfan330 on Oct 26, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

assuming we remain healthy.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Oct 26, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

Why not add an extra lineman like we did in the Washington game. Jackson gets a great push, but I would rather have Kelce at center (same position) Jackson at left guard, Mathis, and Peters with possible a tight end lined up next. That should get a push, one would hope.

It’s so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don’t say it.

by sb2bowl on Oct 26, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup. Jackson somewhere else other than Centre could work on the Goaline….. Watkins will help a lot in there as well. Maybe swap Mathis for Jackson at that point.

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Oct 26, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Only thing is...

…putting Jackson in there just on Goalline plays will sooner or later end up in a Goalline fumble. Centers all snap the ball differently making that exchange harder to get down than most others.

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Oct 26, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeh, that was my point up above. I wouldnt mind if Jackson would play at LG on those types of plays, for that exact reason (don’t want to mess with the center to QB exchange).

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Oct 26, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I misread...

…I thought you meant to sub in Jackson for Kelce at the goalline.
If we weren’t going to play him we should have traded him. It is ridiculous to have him on the bench. At least at other positions like RB, WR, and corner, you can scheme in your depth, but he won’t see any game action unless Kelce goes down.

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Oct 26, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Concur

Jackson could be a starter for over half the teams in this league, and would be for us if we hadn’t changed our blocking scheme. I’m alright with him being on the bench, same with Justice (and Dunlap) because if something happens, we have adequate people that can fill in and still perform at a high level.

Unlike years past.

It’s so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don’t say it.

by sb2bowl on Oct 26, 2011 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Mathis at LG

With the elevation of play by Mathis, I think that the best possible lineup is Peters, Mathis, Jackson (okay okay, put in Kelce…fine.), Watkins, Herremans. I finally feel good about Dunlap coming in…which is saying a lot in itself. And knowing that Justice is out there just in case gives me a lot of confidence with the ability of Herremans to slide over to the left side if needed.

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Oct 26, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions