Two of the five offensive linemen for the Eagles on their 10-play, 80-yard game-winning drive on Sunday were Dallas Reynolds at center and Demetress Bell at left tackle.
It wasn't what the Eagles planned, but it worked nonetheless as Michael Vick's 1-yard touchdown run with 1:55 remaining lifted them to a 24-23 over the Baltimore Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field.
"It was the greatest feeling ever," Bell said. "To go out there on the winning drive and put them down; it's a great feeling."
Reynolds and Bell were forced into the lineup due to injury. Starting center Jason Kelce sprained his right knee after his leg got twisted blocking for LeSean McCoy on a 9-yard run in the third quarter. Reynolds went in and on just his second career offensive snap the Eagles scored on a 23-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.
"In that situation, you don't have much time to think about anything. It was in the middle of a series," said Reynolds, who was on the practice squad for three seasons before making the team this year. "I was just trying to go out and play and give the calls and do my thing. It was time to work."
Kelce will have an MRI on Monday. He's neither optimistic nor pessimistic regarding what the outcome of the test will be. Kelce watched the Eagles rally and was proud of Reynolds, whom he thinks will have a chance to "prove himself" depending on how long he is sidelined.
"It seemed like he was making the right calls. Dallas is a very good player. He was good for us in Training Camp," Kelce said. "I think he did a good job especially under those circumstances."
On the Eagles' next offensive series following Kelce's injury, starting left tackle King Dunlap exited the game with a hamstring injury. Bell was signed by the Eagles this offseason to take over the left tackle position after All-Pro Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles. Bell struggled with offensive line coach Howard Mudd's technique and Dunlap beat him out for the job. Last week, Bell was inactive against the Browns. On Sunday, he helped the Eagles pull out a thrilling victory.
"That's why they brought me in, to get out there and block. It was great just to be out there and be a part of it," said Bell, who admitted losing the starting job was tough.
"It's still bothers me. There's times you want to go in the tank. There's going to be a better day one day. You just don't know when. You've just got to keep a smile on your face and go to work every day and just try to improve on one thing. Not two or three. Just one thing to get better and better at every day."
As well as the refurbished offensive line came together, the Eagles trailed 23-17 with 4:43 left in the game. The Eagles marched 80 yards down the field in 10 plays. There were no penalties. There were no sacks allowed.
"We knew we were going to go down and score," Reynolds said. "That's what we had in our mind; make no mental mistakes. We were able to handle that, go down and score."
On a day when Vick threw for 371 yards and wide receiver DeSean Jackson and tight end Brent Celek combined for 271 receiving yards, it was two of the unlikeliest of heroes who helped the Eagles improve to 2-0 on the young season.
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