Monday, September 14, 2009

Eagles - Panthers News and Notes

*After defeating the Panthers 38-10, the Eagles have won their last two opening games by a combined score of 76-13 (they defeated the Rams 38-3 to open the 2008 season).

*The Eagles scored an offensive, defensive, and special teams touchdown in same game for the first time since Dec. 24, 1994 at Cincinnati (Herschel Walker – 95-yard kickoff return; Michael Zordich – 18-yard interception return; James Joseph – 7-yard touchdown catch. Zordich, by the way, is currently a defensive coaching intern for the Birds.

*The Eagles defense forced seven turnovers (five interceptions, two fumbles), which was the highest total since they forced seven at St. Louis on Jan. 2, 2000. It is also the highest interception total since Sept. 30, 1996 vs. Dallas, when they also posted five .

*After allowing a 70-yard touchdown drive on the opening possession, the Eagles held the Panthers to just 99 net yards and 3 points. The defense also held the Panthers to just 18.8 percent (3-for-16) on third down conversions and recorded five sacks.

*CB Sheldon Brown notched two interceptions, the 15th and 16th of his career. His first led to a David Akers field goal and the second led to a Brent Celek touchdown. Of Brown’s 16 career interceptions, 13 have led to scoring drives . It was also Brown’s second-career two-interception game (Oct. 2, 2005), and the first time an Eagle did so since Lito Sheppard snared two on Oct. 8, 2006 vs Dallas.

*WR DeSean Jackson broke an 85-yard punt return for a TD, the second of his career and the second-longest in team history (Vai Sikahema, 87 yards on Nov. 22, 1992 at NYG) … It marked the second opening-day punt return for a touchdown by an Eagle (Wally Henry’s 57-yarder on Sept. 3, 1978 vs. LA Rams).

*RB Brian Westbrook played in his 100th regular season game as an Eagle, tying Wilbert Montgomery for third place in team history among running backs. They trail Tom Woodeshick (111) and Keith Byars (105) … Westbrook scored his 29th career receiving touchdown, moving past Fred Barnett and into 10th place in team history. It also marked his 67th career touchdown, tying Tommy McDonald for third place in team history. He trails Harold Carmichael (79) and Steve Van Buren (77).

*DE Trent Cole sacked and forced a fumble by Panthers QB Jake Delhomme, which was recovered by DE Victor Abiamiri for a touchdown. It marked Cole’s 35 1/2 career sack, which tied him with William Fuller for seventh place in team history … It also marked the first touchdown of Abiamiri’s career.

* QB Donovan McNabb rushed for 27 yards and his 27th career touchdown. He now has 3,136 career rushing yards, moving past Tom Sullivan (3,135) and into ninth place in team history. McNabb also threw for two touchdowns, marking the 24th time in his career (regular and postseason) that he has rushed for a touchdown and thrown a touchdown pass in the same game.

*LB Akeem Jordan notched his first-career sack and his first-career interception, marking the first time an Eagles linebacker did so in the same game since Dec. 27, 2007 when Stewart Bradley did so in a win at New Orleans.

*TE Brent Celek grabbed a nine-yard touchdown pass from McNabb in the second quarter, marking his fifth in the last five games (including playoffs).

*FS Macho Harris became the first Eagles rookie to start at safety on opening day since Wes Hopkins on Sept. 3, 1983 at San Francisco. Randy Logan also started on Sept. 16, 1973 vs. St. Louis. Harris also became the first Eagles rookie defensive player to start on opening day since DT Corey Simon on Sept. 3 2000 at Dallas.

*K David Akers played in his 157th regular season game as an Eagle, tying Guy Morriss for 6th place on the team’s all-time list. Akers drilled a 48-yard field goal, his second-longest on opening day (50 yards - Sept. 9, 2001 vs. St. Louis)

*DE Darren Howard registered his 17th and 18th sacks as an Eagle, moving past Brandon Whiting and into 20th place in team history.

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