NFC East News: Preseason Report on the Cowboys, Eagles, and Redskins
GFB’S DAILY LOOK INSIDE THE NFC EAST
DALLAS COWBOYS: When Marc Colombo was beaten for two sacks in last Thursday’s preseason game against the Raiders, the Cowboys knew something was wrong with their right tackle. They were right. Colombo, who did not play in the final seven games of last season because of a broken fibula and high ankle sprain, had five loose particles removed from his right knee Monday. He’ll be out two to four weeks, but should be ready for the Cowboys’ opener on September 12 at Washington.
“I don’t [know] exactly how long he’ll be down, but those things have a time of 10 days to two weeks,” Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones said. “I don’t have any doubt he’ll be back for the opener based on the information I just got from the MRI and what we saw the problem was,” Jones said.
CBSSports.com has the story.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: The Allentown Morning Call identifies five things that they’ve learned about the Eagles during training camp.
(1) Riley Cooper has speed to go with all that size. The rookie wide receiver routinely beats single coverage down the field and almost always catches what is thrown his way.
(2) Michael Vick is Michael Vick again. Many observers wonder how much difference that will make, but the backup quarterback could make a positive difference in a couple of games.
(3) The Eagles almost certainly found a free safety in rookie Nate Allen, who has handled everything thrown at him with a quiet confidence.
(4) Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley is all the way back from his ACL surgery. His play at camp helped end what had become a futile search to find the proper combination for all three linebacking spots.
(5) The offensive line has answered few questions and remains the biggest question mark. Tackle Jason Peters and guard Stacy Andrews still are not at the levels they were at before coming to the Eagles last year. And center Jamaal Jackson probably will not be ready to start the season after January ACL surgery.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS: The AP reports, via The New York Times, that Albert Haynesworth is back on the sidelines. But this time, it’s for a totally different reason:
Albert Haynesworth was sidelined after just a few snaps at practice, apparently because he was not feeling well.
Haynesworth, a Redskins defensive tackle, began the workout as usual, taking part in defensive drills, but he was out of his pads and standing on the sideline with a towel on his neck shortly after the 11-on-11 plays began.
“The doctors didn’t feel like it was heat-related,” Coach Mike Shanahan said. “He just was sick.”
Haynesworth missed the first nine days of training camp practices because he had to pass a conditioning test.
