Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins' seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers provided a plethora of useful experience for this season.
One of the leaders on defense, Jenkins played on a Green Bay team in 2006 that was considered an afterthought with a 4-8 record through 12 games. That Packers team rallied to finish 8-8, but lost out on a playoff berth due to a tiebreaker.
The 2011 Eagles are 4-8 and begin the final quarter of the season this Sunday in Miami. The Eagles will have had 10 days in between games since they played last Thursday night in Seattle. The playoffs are still a possibility for this team after the Cowboys, Giants and Redskins all lost on Sunday.
"You have to try and take advantage of whatever you can control there and then if everything else comes together then at least you've done your part to try and get there," Jenkins said.
The Eagles returned to practice on Monday for the first time since Thursday's game. Jenkins said that no one in the locker room is giving up on this season and that attitude begins with the head coach.
"He's definitely not showing any signs of quit or any signs of giving up or throwing the towel in," Jenkins said of Andy Reid. "He wants us to keep fighting and take advantage of the opportunity that we have."
Tight end Brent Celek knows that the Eagles are fortunate to still have a chance at the playoffs, but if they don't start winning games - and win them now - those hopes will evaporate.
"It's good but I think we have to take care of our own (business)," Celek said. "We have to start winning games before we can worry about other people. But it still gives us a chance which is good, and that's all you can ask for when you're in this position."
Linebacker Jamar Chaney said that he watched some of the NFL games over the weekend. Chaney isn't ready to start figuring out playoff scenarios or anything along those lines just yet.
"We're not worrying about anything else, just getting ready for the Dolphins game," Chaney said. "That's all that is on our mind, just focusing on that game and trying to get a W."
The Packers won four straight in 2006 to finish .500. Just last season, the Detroit Lions won their final four games and this year are very much in the thick of the playoff race. Can the Eagles win their final four games? They must first start with winning one game, this Sunday in Miami.
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