Mike Patterson News

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley After trading for former Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs on draft day, it looked like the Eagles would have quality depth at that position.

Andy Reid sees no difference in his team whether it's playing a close game or enjoying a blowout.

Donovan McNabb tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Brent Celek, helping the Philadelphia Eagles take a 13-10 lead over the Dallas Cowboys after three quarters on Sunday night in the 100th meeting between the division rivals.

A short week to prepare following a brutally hard road game against the Washington Redskins on Monday night left the Eagles with little time to get their legs back under them for the New York Giants on Sunday.

Trent Cole, an avid hunter, knows he can sometimes be the bait. On Sundays in autumn, the Eagles defensive end lures offensive linemen the way he may entice a wild boar: with cunning and patience.

How many times have you heard that Trent Cole's motor never stops running? That seems to be the stock quote about the Eagles' fifth-year defensive end.

An informal poll of Eagles on Wednesday confirmed what everyone believed to be the case about their game Sunday against the New York Giants : It will be their most complete test since New Orleans and most important game of the season to date.

Not a good showing on the penalty front for the Eagles Monday night. They were penalized 12 times for 66 yards and are now seventh in the NFL in penalties and penalty yards .

The late Jim Johnson loved turnovers. "This game," he once said, "is a game of turnovers." The Eagles defensive coordinatorknew how giveaways could deflate an offense.

EAGLES AT RAIDERS When: 4:15 p.m. today, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum TV: FOX Radio: WCTO-FM 96.1 -- Continuing to build their confidence heading toward their first NFC East opponent on Oct.

Eagles Quarterback Donovan McNabb looks skyward after throwing a 51 yard TD pass to Jeremy Maclin against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 1st quarter at Lincoln Financial Field 1 of 47 Eagles blow out the bad Bucs, 33-14 Eagles blast Bucs with blitzes Warm weclome for Trotter Opportunity knocks, Maclin takes it Dallas beats KC 26-20 in OT on ...

Eagles middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter focuses on the play. Trotter was in on three tackles."I had one missed tackle, and I think I made one tackle," said the 32-year-old veteran.

By Jeff McLane INQUIRER STAFF WRITER The ax did not drop, but it did return and that seemed to be enough for the Eagles in their ho-hum 33-14 win over woeful Tampa Bay.

J. LEMAN LOOKED toward the far left corner of the locker room, where his stall used to be, a space now overrun by a couple of dozen reporters, all leaning forward to hear Jeremiah Trotter.

Les Bowen: Eagles, 20-12 Ed Barkowitz: Eagles, 31-10 Bill Conlin: Eagles, 35-14 Paul Domowitch: Eagles, 24-10 Marcus Hayes: Eagles, 24-20 John Smallwood: Eagles, 23-10 Vegas Vic: Eagles 24-20 DOMO'S KEY MATCHUPS 1. Eagles C Jamaal Jackson vs.

Cassel made his Kansas City debut against the Raiders and it was underwhelming. He threw for 241 yards with 1 TD, 1 INT and 34 yards rushing.

Kevin Kolb's second interception yesterday included some powerful symbolism. The entire game was full of dreadful decisions and abject embarrassment for the Eagles, and the pick for six featured some of both.

Today I will give you a little preview for when the Saints have the football on Sunday against the Eagles' defense.

When the Eagles host the New Orleans Saints in their home opener Sunday, their starting QB could be a guy who's never thrown a touchdown pass in the NFL.

The Panthers' Jake Delhomme, bottom, is sacked by Philadelphia's Mike Patterson and Omar Gaither in the third quarter.