Some quick notes from the Eagles camp…..

The skinny…………

The opening line was Eagles -3, but bettors have jumped on New York the past few days, betting the line down to pick-em.  The possible absence of Philly RB Brian Westbrook (concussion), a notorious Giant-killer, has increased the Giants’ chances this Sunday.  After the hearings on Capitol Hill this week regarding the NFL’s treatment and prevention strategies on the subject, it is difficult to believe the Eagles will dress Westbrook.  They are calling it a game time decision, but it is very unlikely that he will play.

Down the turnpike………

Andy Reid’s crew has gone through quite a few changes since we have seen them last.  First off, the Eagles’ legendary defensive coordinator, Jim Johnson, left the team and eventually succumbed to cancer, passing away in late July.  He was replaced by longtime assistant, Sean McDermott.  The heart and soul of the Philly defense, safety Brian Dawkins, left via free-agency.

Then the Eagles reached into the fire and signed Michael Vick, upping the ante in the NFC.  Many pundits penciled them in as the favorites to win the conference.

That perception has changed somewhat in the past several weeks.  The Eagles may have won four of their first six games, but it’s their two losses that have defined them.  Their over-aggressive, blitzing defense was blown up at home by this year’s juggernaut, New Orleans, yielding 41 points in a shocking defeat.  Then came the indignity of losing to the clueless Raiders in Oakland two weeks ago.  No one has provided any answers for that one.

To be fair, the Eagles have had some issues, especially injuries.  Two starting linebackers – Stewart Bradley and Omar Gaither – are out for the season.  Also out for the season are T Shawn Andrews and rookie TE Cornelius Griffin, who the Eagles had planned to use extensively.  Donovan McNabb also missed two games with a broken rib.

The other issues are all technical. What’s going on at QB?  We know McNabb is the man, but the Eagles have sent out multiple signals that they would like it to be someone else.

It can’t be Vick. That signing has yet to pay off.  The Eagles have the wildest of wildcats in Vick, but there has been no spark when he enters the lineup.  One reason is the limited scope in which he is used.  The Eagles apparently don’t have a clue of what Vick is all about.  They don’t have a comprehensive package of plays designed for him.  It’s too late to trade him and it may be too late to salvage him for this year. Go figure.

The passing game also seems to click better with Kevin Kolb, than it does with McNabb.  Go figure on that one, too.  Kolb thrived during McNabb’s absence, which will only create controversy should Donovan go into one of his patented swoons.

The loss of Dawkins has hurt more than the Eagles had imagined.  He was their leader, their Ray Lewis.  One would be hard-pressed to think that the Eagles could get back to the Super Bowl without him especially now that no one has stepped up as a leader.

Some good things are happening, too……

Kolb has proved that he can play at the NFL level, quelling the fears of management. He threw for 716 yards and 4 TDs in the two games he filled in for McNabb.

Rookie RB LeSean McCoy has shown that he may be able to fill Westbrook’s shoes.  We’ll find out.

WR DeSean Jackson has become one of the league’s most explosive all-around threats.  Rookie WR Jeremy Maclin has also chipped in with some big plays.

DE Trent Cole has 6.5 sacks and is playing at a Pro Bowl level.