The Eagles have a firm 1-2 punch with LeSean McCoy and Dion Lewis. That isn't going to change. Brown, signed in training camp, hasn't produced as expected. How does he fit in moving forward?
It's a story that isn't yet complete. Brown is a veteran presence and a good football player, but he is a north-south runner in a system that doesn't emphasize that style. Will the Eagles keep Brown and hope his professionalism wins out over his bruised ego? Or will the Eagles move on from Brown and take a chance on a younger player?
It is one of many questions to consider as the Eagles take in the bye week. Among the others ...
- Hope for the return of left tackle Jason Peters and Trent Cole for the Cowboys. Peters coming back is huge with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer on the other side of the ball. The Cowboys move both outside linebackers around and they create havoc. The Eagles' edge protectors -- Peters at left tackle and, I'm guessing, Todd Herremans at right tackle -- must be stout. Cole is going to open up so many things for the entire defense. He is the team's best defensive player and a force from the right end spot.
- What does Michael Vick need to work on in the final 10 games of the season? He told me in an interview that he is pleased with his progress against the blitz, something he has worked very hard to improve. I'd like to see Vick get the ball out of his hand just a tad quicker, and clearly the tipped passes have to end. Part of that is on the offensive linemen keeping the defensive linemen engaged, and part of that is Vick finding lanes through which to throw. Obviously, the most important improvement he needs to make is not exposing himself to punishment.
- The next five games are terrific on the schedule -- home with Dallas, Chicago and Arizona, at the Giants and home with New England. No sense really looking ahead, right? Just beat the Cowboys and let's go from there.
- McCoy, by the way, is averaging 21 touches per game and that ranks eighth in the NFL. All in all, I think that is a fair number of touches for McCoy. I would probably like to see him get a couple more every week, but 21 touches sounds about right.
- What is the over/under for fullback Owen Schmitt on the number of touches he will get the rest of the season?
- Jeremy Maclin is having a Pro Bowl season with 37 catches, an average of 6 per game. That projects to 96 receptions for the season, which is ridiculous. Maclin is a complete receiver with speed, strength, hands and explosiveness. It's remarkable to think how far he has come in the last few months.
- It's going to be critical for the defense that Mike Patterson plays as he did Sunday at Washington. He was dominating. And if Patterson and Cullen Jenkins handle their business against Dallas, the Eagles will have a chance to attack the Cowboys' running game and get after quarterback Tony Romo in the passing game.
- Dallas is a great challenge for the Eagles' secondary. I can't wait to see how Juan Castillo matches up against the Dallas receiving corps, which is among the best in the NFL.
