Eagles Notes: Jones, Westbrook and Blocking

Monday, November 2, 2009

By Andy Schwartz
CSNPhilly.com

Phase two in the quest to replace Brian Dawkins has begun.

Phase one consisted of the surprising decision to start rookie Macho Harris instead of veteran free-agent addition Sean Jones or second-year pro Quintin Demps.

That phase has concluded.  

Now the Eagles are employing the same strategy that they’ve been using at the guard positions on the offensive line and at the left end position on the defensive line: a rotation.

Quintin Mikell remains the starter at one safety spot. Because the Eagles stress that their safety positions are interchangeable, we’ll forgo the “free” or “strong” distinction. Harris, Jones and Demps will platoon at the other position.  

Who will start?

“You’ll see all of them play depending on what personnel group they put out,” head coach Andy Reid said Monday.  

Harris has been bothered by an ankle injury, but Reid said after Sunday’s victory over the Giants that Jones would have started regardless.

“By the time you asked me that yesterday, I knew what personnel group [was in there], so that’s why Sean was starting,” Reid said.

After signing a one-year deal in March, it seemed as though Jones, a six-year veteran would start Week 1. Instead, he opened minicamp behind Demps. Then the Eagles drafted Harris, a corner from Virginia Tech, who was being converted to safety.  

The precocious Harris started the first six games. Jones was inactive for the season opener and played primarily on special teams until Harris was injured in last Monday night’s win at Washington.  

“I don’t want to say I was frustrated,” said Jones, who played in the base defense against the Redskins. “I was basically putting my mind like, ‘What do I need to be doing to make myself better, to prove myself to the coaches, to the organization that I can be the caliber guy that I know I can be?’

“I just needed to keep working. This is my first year in the scheme. It’s been a great scheme. Brian Dawkins and Jim Johnson had been here for years and years, and Philly’s always had a dominating defense. I just wanted to find my niche in that defense.”

This transition wasn’t necessarily easy, given that he spent the last five seasons as a centerfielder in Cleveland’s Cover Two.  

“It’s a lot different than it was in Cleveland. Cleveland was more of a zone-oriented team,” Jones said. “But here, we like to pressure, we like to get after people on third down, so for an aggressive safety like myself and Quintin Mikell and Demps and Macho, it’s a great opportunity for us because the quarterback has to get the ball out of his hands fast, and that means the ball is going to be coming out quick, so we’re going to make plays.”

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Jones arrived in Philadelphia with 14 career interceptions and a frame that is perfectly suited for a safety. But despite the numbers, then defensive coordinator Jim Johnson noted that he’s more of a strong safety.  

Demps, who played some cornerback in college, isn’t as physical as Jones but is more of a cover guy, which, as the hard-hitting Michael Lewis discovered, is a prerequisite for an Eagles safety.  

Jones insists he can fill both roles.

“I definitely think I can play both strong and free. In Cleveland I played right and left, so it’s basically the same thing,” Jones said. “I try to pride myself in being well-rounded.”

Sunday against the Giants, Jones and Demps each produced. Jones finished second on the team with six tackles. He stopped Brandon Jacobs for a one-yard loss and also had a nice tackle of Ahmad Bradshaw for no gain. Demps recorded his first career interception.  

Although he’s been a starter for the last three seasons, Jones undoubtedly is relieved to have escaped Cleveland. The Browns recorded only one winning season in his five years there and are currently 1-7 this year.

If a rotation leads to victories, so be it.

“As long as you’re winning,” Jones said, “that takes care of everything.”

Westbrook update
Reid said running back Brian Westbrook should return to practice Wednesday. Westbrook was out Sunday with a concussion, which he suffered against the Redskins.

He has been undergoing tests and woke up Saturday with a slight headache.  

“It wasn’t anything that was to worry too much about,” Reid said. “He’s feeling pretty good, and we’ll just see how he does here the closer we get to Wednesday.”

The dirty work
First-round pick Jeremy Maclin made a spectacular play Sunday, snagging a 23-yard touchdown pass in double coverage. But what was nearly as notable, was his block to help spring fullback Leonard Weaver on a 41-yard touchdown run.

“It’s the second week in a row that you’ve seen our rookie downfield leading runners into the end zone or making big blocks downfield,” Reid said.

Maclin also had a nice block against Washington during DeSean Jackson’s 67-yard touchdown run. Had it been the other way around, Reid is sure Jackson would do the same.

“We’ve been lucky enough here to have receivers that are willing to do that,” Reid said. “There are some places where I think guys are a little shy about doing that. Guys here don’t mind mixing it up. DeSean (5-10, 175) being as small as he is – he doesn’t mind getting in there and mixing it up a bit. That’s a good thing. You teach it, but at the same time the guys have to go out and do it.”

More injuries
Linebacker Chris Gocong is day to day after suffering a quad contusion and hamstring strain to the same leg against the Giants.  

Defensive end Chris Clemons suffered a shoulder injury but is expected to practice Wednesday.

Defensive end Victor Abiamiri and receiver Kevin Curtis both continue to recover from knee injuries. Curtis has missed the last five games and most likely will not play Sunday night against Dallas.

E-mail Andy Schwartz at aschwartz@comcastsportsnet.com.