Defensive end Trent Cole did all of the hard work. Victor Abiamiri got to enjoy the spoils. Sometimes, though, that's the toughest thing to do when it looks so easy. But for someone who had never scored a touchdown in his life - Pop Warner, high school, college or pro - Abiamiri got the job done just fine.
Abiamiri recovered a fumble at the Panthers' 2-yard line and dove into the end zone for the Eagles' first touchdown of the season in a 38-10 win over Carolina on Sunday to open the 2009 season. The touchdown came on the first play of the second quarter as the Eagles took control of the game, scoring 28 points in those 15 minutes to take a 31-10 lead into halftime.
On a third-and-10 from the Panthers' 25, Cole lined up as the JOKER - a stand-up defensive end who can rush or drop into coverage - and blitzed the 'A' gap. Carolina center Ryan Kalil blocked the wrong person and Cole came through untouched. Cole said that quarterback Jake Delhomme froze as he drilled him which caused a fumble in the process. The ball bounced along towards the Panthers' goal line until Abiamiri got the ball.
"Trent made one heckuva play. I was just there to scoop and score. The ball was just sitting there, right there, I just picked it up," said Abiamiri, who made his second-career start. "It was a great start to my season. I'm hoping to build on it. I hope it's just one of many."
A second-round pick in 2007, Abiamiri is expected to make a huge difference along the defensive line this season. The starter opposite of Cole, Abiamiri is going to handle the left end spot in rushing situations and move inside on passing downs.
As amazing as the defensive performance was overall - the Eagles forced seven turnovers and had five sacks, Abiamiri was just as proud of the successful goal line stand at the end of the game. With the score out of reach, the Panthers were able to move the ball to the Eagles' 1-yard line before Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams was stuffed for a loss on 4th-and-goal.
"We just take pride in that. We don't want anybody to score on us," Abiamiri said. "We want to come out and establish ourselves as a new defense. We don't want to get scored on no matter what point in the game it is."
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 6:39 a.m., September 14
