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Eagles 2010 season is under review

The Philadelphia Eagles shocked the city, and the nation, with a trade on April 4, which sent long-time Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb, to the Washington Redskins.

The next day, began the Kevin Kolb era.

With a new quarterback under center, the 2010 season was labeled “rebuilding” year for the Eagles by staff and analysts.

The Kolb era was brief, lasting only half a game after Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews slammed Kolb head first to the ground, giving him a concussion in week one.

Michael Vick, the second string quarterback, stepped in but ultimately lost 27-20.

Week two brought the Eagles to Detroit to battle the Lions. Vick made his first start since 2006 when he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons.

Philly running back LeSean McCoy barreled his way into the end zone three times, and Vick had two touchdowns in a 35-32 victory.

With their record now 1-1, Eagles head coach Andy Reid made a change.

Kolb out, Vick in.

Week three rolled around and Vick rolled out of the pocket, passing for three touchdowns and rushing for a fourth, leading the Eagles to a one-sided 28-3 win on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

When September wrapped up, Vick was named the NFC offensive player of the month.

The following week, McNabb and the Redskins made the I-95 commute to South Philly. McNabb received a mixed welcome from the fans; some cheered, some booed.

In the 17-12 Eagles loss, Vick left the game with an injury after being crushed between two Redskins defenders at the goal line.

With Vick out, Kolb was back in the driver’s seat.

Week five was a West Coast trip to play the San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles won 27-24, improving to a 3-2 record, and returned to Philly to play the Falcons.

Kolb, still starting for the injured Vick, threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin each caught two touchdowns in the 31- 17 win.

With a respectable 4-2 record through six games, the Eagles flew to Tennessee for an early Sunday matchup with the Titans. Despite a lead at the half, the Eagles fell 37-19.

The following Sunday was their much needed bye week.

After the bye, on Nov. 7, the Eagles squeaked out a close one, 26-24 against the Indianapolis Colts. During the game, Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel intercepted Peyton Manning with time expiring and sealed the win.

The Eagles only Monday night football appearance of the year came against a familiar foe: the Redskins.

This time around, the Eagles soared past the Redskins 59- 28; Vick had an epic night with four passing touchdowns and two rushing.

On a high from their blowout victory, but operating on a short week, the Eagles renewed their rivalry with the New York Giants, but Eagles found themselves down 17-16 in the fourth quarter.

They didn’t stay down long.

With 4:42 remaining McCoy broke loose for a 50-yard rushing touchdown and the Eagles never looked back, going on to win 27-17.

The following week, the Chicago Bears laid an ugly beating on the Birds with a 31-26 win, but the Birds would bounce back and win their next three games.

Next, the Eagles marched into Dallas and took care of business against the Cowboys with a 30-27 win. Once time expired, Cowboys running back Tashard Choice approached Vick on the field and got him to sign his glove for his nephew.

It stirred things up in Dallas and in the league, but back in Philly things were going smoothly.

At this point in the season, with a record of 9-4, Reid looked like a genius for swapping Vick for Kolb.

The following week was no different when the Giants came to town seeking revenge. Down 31-10 with 8:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, it looked grim for the Eagles, but they never gave up.

Vick hit tight end Brent Celek for a 65-yard touchdown bringing it to 31-17 with 7:28 remaining.

Followed by a perfectly executed onsides kick recovered by Philadelphia five plays later, Vick rushed for a four-yard touchdown. Now a 31-24 game, the Eagles defense was able to force a punt from the Giants and with 3:08 remaining they had the ball once again.

Vick knew what to do with it.

The Eagles recorded yet another touchdown, this time it was Maclin. A 13-yard touchdown locked things up 31-31.

The Eagles defense forced a three and out with 14 seconds remaining.

Giants punter Matt Dodge was told to punt it out. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin stressed this prior to the punt.

Dodge did not listen.

It was a short 36-yard punt which stayed in bounds and landed in Jackson’s hands. He fumbled it, picked it up, looked down field and took off, avoiding all tacklers for a 65-yard touchdown return as time expired.

And so was born the “New Miracle at the Meadowlands.”

A 38-31 victory put the Eagles at 10-4 and it seemed this team was ready for a deep playoff run.

However, the next two weeks, the Vikings and Cowboys beat the Birds at Lincoln Financial Field.

Finishing the season 10-6 as a three seed, the Eagles were set to play the Packers yet again.

They won the NFC eastern division, but that’s all they would win.

Eagles kicker David Akers missed two devastating field goals and Vick threw an interception in the end-zone with under a minute to play. This sealed up the Packers win, 21-16.

The Eagles exceeded expectations in 2010 and put together a memorable season.

Although they fell short of a Super Bowl appearance, there is much to build on for the 2011 season.

Contact Bill Goldhahn at communitarian@mail.dccc. edu

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