The Life of Brian

Absolutely no question about it, my Brian Dawkins Player of the Game award goes to the other Brian... RB Brian Westbrook. On a day when a lot of national writers were poised to talk about another great game by Tiki Barber improbably extending the Giants season, Brian said oh no-no....

He outdueled Tiki, rushing for 141 yards and a TD, (Tiki turned in his best performance against the Eagles in a while, gaining 137 yards) and just kicked much ass in general. Oh by the way, his 49 yard touchdown scamper (pictured courtesy AP) set an Eagles post-season record. Finally, when the Eagles need to move the ball into field goal range to attempt the game-winner, who did they turn to? ...um...no guesses are necessary...Marty dialed up a great run/pass mix but the off-right-tackle runs by Westbrook totally demoralized the Giants defenders...

My other stars:
**** Jon Dorenbos, Koy Detmer and David Akers....provided a sterling example to Romo and the Cowboys about HOW ITS DONE...snap, hold, kick - GOOOOOOOOOOOOD! After watching the Cowgirls dork up the win Saturday night, Head Coach Andy Reid's decision to re-sign our long-time holder looks better and better...Akers appeared comfortable all night long...I said early that if Koy helps us makes 1 FG this post-season it'd be worth it...hell, he not only did that, he helped WIN THE FRIGGIN' GAME?

*** Sheldon Brown - Sheldon has been maligned by a lot of folks lately...but I tell you what, homey came to play on Sunday. He scooped up the first and only turnover of the day (Garcia and O got a FG out of it), snagging an INT over the middle in the 2nd qtr. It was a great momentum changer for the Eagles as we finally shifted field position after the Giants played nearly the entire first quarter in our territory (though they only scored 7 pts)....Moreover on a day in which we lost our Pro Bowl CB Lito Sheppard to injury (later in the game), SB stepped up and helped lead the secondary....is he perfect...maybe not, but we need him more than ever now.

** Jeff Garcia - ok, so 17/31 for 151 and 1 TD is fairly pedestrian statistic-wise...but I tell ya what. He made the key plays when he had to, and he didn't turn the ball over. That bears repeating...the Eagles played secure football today, and didn't give the Giants any cheapo scores.

* The Coaches - I don't usually take this space to acknowledge the coaches, and some might disagree because the passing game wasn't exactly sparkling yesterday...but you know what that was a problem of EXECUTION, not necessarily play-calling. The reason I put the coaches here: the way they maintained an even keel when the game started out tilted in the Giants favor (field position-wise)...I mean the Giants played almost the entire first quarter on the Eagles side of the 50, but Jim Johnson kept dialing up just the right calls to stymie Manning and a Giants offense that opened up the game like gang-busters...The team weathered the early storm (something I think the coaches assisted with) and made the adjustments necessary to take advantage of what opportunities the Giants WERE giving us....

Stars of the Game

This is getting be a broken record, but my Star of the Game is Brian Dawkins!

What a game: 12 tackles (11 solo), 2 forced fumbles, 2 passed defended and 1 huge INT (pictured left). Its hard to say too much about this guy. What a warrior...gets hurt right near the end of the game, but doesn't want the team to have to call a time-out...Reid calls it anyway because he wants his best player to be able to stay in the game. Afterwards, when questioned about it...Dawk just shook his head, and said, "no I knew I needed to fight through it" So unlike Mike Vick who pulled himself in the waning minutes of the Falcons crippling loss, Dawkins toughed it out for his teammates.

My other stars:
***** RB Brian Westbrook. He was everywhere for the Birds today. He blew past the 1,000 yard mark with 97 on the ground (he only need 5) and another 40 in the air. None bigger than the huge 28 yarder to give the Eagles a 21-16 lead in the fourth quarter.

**** Correll Buckhalter - lost in the shuffle of the manic second half was the sterling performance by Buck in the first half. 8 rushes for 48 yards might not seem like a huge day but it was, it truly was a hidden gem for this game. He ran with authority and picked up some key first downs. Coupled with his first quarter TD run and it adds up a tone-setting first half for the "General."

*** Omar Gaither - OG. What a baller. We actually had a LB almost lead the team in tackles! He had 10 tackles, including a huge sack in the first half (the only time we racked up lil Ewi today). But I tell you what, he brings a size and toughness was sorely lacking when munchkin McCoy was lined up outside.

** Reno Mahe - For ONCE, our special teams delivers a key return instead of allowing one. Reno's season high 64-yd return came at JUST the right time. Just after the Giants had taken the lead 16-14 (credit the D for holding the G-nots to a third FG) Mahe turns a great trick and winds up deep in Giants territory....3 plays later Westbrook bursts up the left side and presto-chango the Eagles are up 21-16....
* The Offensive Line - I've overlooked these guys for a while, but no longer. With rare exception the fellas up front pushed and shoved the G-men around at will. Just look at the rushing totals: 161-88...and its the Eagles with the 161!!! Whoddathunkit? Above: WB lets big Shawn Andrews spike the ball after his run. A much deserved celebration on a day when the Eagles dominated up front.