Following the Eagles' 34-14 thrashing of the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Andy Reid gave his players the full bye week off so that they can refresh themselves and prepare for the season ahead.
"I think for all these guys, they need to get away when they have an opportunity and refocus and get ready to go," Reid said.
He also assessed the team's dominant performance.
"I thought the coordinators and coaches did a nice job with the game plan, the players executed very well," Reid said. "(Kevin) Kolb obviously had a nice game ... for a young guy throwing for as many yards as he has says quite a bit about him and the players around him."
Kolb became the first player in NFL history to surpass 300 passing yards in each of his first two career starts.
"The offensive line played well and gave (Kolb) time to throw the ball," Reid continued. "DeSean (Jackson) and (Brent) Celek both had very good games receiving the football. The defensive line stood out with their aggressive play, the secondary attacked the football and challenged the receivers. It was a collective effort on those third downs, (the Chiefs were) 0 for 11 on third down."
Reid also updated the injury situation as the team hopes to get healthier following a week off.
Donovan McNabb is making progress, "This will be a good week for him to have off," Reid said.
Brian Westbrook and his sprained ankle will also be helped by the bye week. Max Jean-Gilles has shoulder inflammation that he will rehab this week. Kevin Curtis will continue to rehab his knee inflammation, as will Quintin Demps with his hamstring strain. Dimitri Patterson's hand fracture is recovering, and Todd Herremans will have a scan on Thursday to check out the stress fracture on his foot.
Coach Reid acknowledged that he was impressed by the performance of rookie running back LeSean McCoy against the Chiefs, and he expects McCoy to work well in tandem with Westbrook as the season moves forward.
"I think that will take place," Reid said of a running back rotation. "(McCoy) will rotate in there.
"I think this game helped with LeSean just to see where he's at with the protections, and I think he did a nice job with that ... (McCoy and Westbrook) are very similar in a lot of things they can do. We can even flex LeSean out, we haven't had a lot of backs we've done that with."
Reid also said McCoy did a much better job of protecting the football as a ball carrier. McCoy was one of 19 of the team's 22 starters who were joined the Eagles either via the draft or rookie free agency.
"I've always said that you'd rather have your team be built through the draft or college free agents," Reid said. "That's a tribute to (general manager) Tom Heckert and his crew, bringing in the right personnel ... and giving the coaches an opportunity to coach good players."
Reid was asked whether he approved of Jackson's front flip as he crossed the end zone on a 64-yard touchdown catch and run.
"I always tell guys act like you've been there," Reid said, "but (Jackson)'s an exciting little guy, he adds a little spice to things, so he puts his little flare on it. It's nice to get him in the end zone.
"I don't mind a little personality; I think that's good for the team."
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 12:33 p.m., September 28
