Linebacker Brian Rolle was in an airport on Sunday afternoon returning from a bye week trip to Columbus, Ohio when he received the news that no one wants to hear. Rolle's sister called to inform him that his father, Sanchious Eugene, had passed away at his home in Fort Myers, Fla.

"I just pray about it. I can't bring him back, can't change it. I'm glad to have friends around me that care and support me," Rolle said. "I'll deal with it when I get there (this weekend). Here, I'm trying to keep my mind on Sunday. I'm trying not to think about it too much because if I do it's going to be a bad week for me."

Rolle said after practice on Monday that he had only met his biological father three times. Rolle's parents split when he was young. Rolle's father suffered a stroke and a brain aneurysm about a week and a half ago which left him in a coma and then suffered a massive stroke Sunday morning.

While returning from Columbus, home to his alma mater Ohio State, Rolle did not get to see Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray set the franchise record for rushing yards in a game with 253 against the Rams. But Rolle is more than familiar with Murray having watched the third-round pick play at Oklahoma. In fact, the two met each other when they visited the NovaCare Complex for a pre-draft visit.

"I heard he set the Dallas record for rushing. I know he's a great guy. I watched him at Oklahoma. I know he's an exciting guy to watch," Rolle said. "He's a great back and I look forward to going against him this week."

Two weeks ago, the Eagles held the Redskins to a season-low 42 yards on the ground. Rolle, who will make his first prime-time start this Sunday, said the defense wants to maintain the attack mentality that it had against Washington.

"We got to have it. These last 10 games are going to determine how much we want it and how much we want to make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl," Rolle said. "We're going to take it one week at a time and go into this week with the mindset of 'by any means necessary.'"

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