1. Tight end Chris Cooley had fluid drained from his left knee earlier this week and was limited for a second straight day of practice. Coach Mike Shanahan called this week a “little setback” for Cooley.
He missed all four preseason games because of soreness in his knee, but has played in all four games. Considering how the Eagles use their defensive ends, the Redskins need a healthy Cooley and Fred Davis to help block. Also, the screen game could be a factor Sunday as well and both players likely would have a role on those plays.
2. Running back Tim Hightower was limited in practice Thursday because of his shoulder, but he remains hopeful about his chances for playing Sunday vs. Philadelphia.
The Redskins haven’t disclosed who they’ll start at running back, but the coaches like Hightower’s all-around game. Ryan Torain ran well in relief vs. St. Louis, gaining 135 yards. But Hightower’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and help in protection will be vital vs. the Eagles. Again, if one way the Redskins will attack this defense is with screens, then Hightower could get the start. And that could also mean more time for Roy Helu.
Then again, Torain rushed for a tough 70 yards vs. Philly in the first meeting last season. This is a fast defense; Torain’s physical style could work well.
3. Hightower said he first hurt his shoulder in the opener vs. the New York Giants, but didn’t tell the coaches until early in the Rams game.
“It limited my playing ability, but it’s better,” Hightower said.
4. Incidentally, Helu did a better job in protection vs. the Rams when it came to keeping his head up. That was a problem in camp and in the first few games.
5. Receiver Anthony Armstrong (hamstring) and corner Phillip Buchanon (neck) also were limited in practice Thursday. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said he’s not sure if Buchanon, coming off a four-game suspension by the NFL for taking performance enhancing drugs, will be active.
Haslett said Buchanon has been working on covering in the slot, but is not yet ready to play that role.
“You have to blitz, you have to cover, you have to match the defense, you have to know if there are regular people or zebra or four-wide,” Haslett said. “He has to know where to line up and get set and cover the guy who may runs option routes or the deep routes. So there’s a lot that plays into that position.”
6. Armstrong’s absence is felt in the deep passing game, which has been non-existent the past couple games.
“When you have a guy who is faster than everyone else, it obviously opens it up a little more,” offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said.
7. Nose tackle Barry Cofield said the Eagles are “definitely the fastest team. They’re the fastest team in the league on both sides of the ball. We have the chance to be the most physical team in the league so it will be a great matchup. If we play mistake-free football and play physical, we can match them.”
8. Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe has yet to create a turnover in four games. Then again, the defense has only forced six. Atogwe once was known as a turnover machine in St. Louis, though in his last two years there he had a combined five interceptions.
Haslett said he could tell Atogwe’s hamstring still bothered him earlier this season.
“He’s finally breaking through and he’s looking a lot better to me,” Haslett said.
Regardless if he causes turnovers or not, Atogwe has been an upgrade if only because of his tackling and communication skills. Both will come in handy Sunday.
9. Quarterback Rex Grossman knows he must take better care of the ball but he’ll face a defense that hasn’t caused many turnovers; only five in five games. The Eagles have recorded 16 sacks, but that pressure hasn’t equated into success as opposing quarterbacks have a 104.3 passer rating. The Eagles also have allowed 11 touchdown passes. Yes, the opportunity is there for a big game.
10. For what it’s worth, Grossman is not at his best when the Redskins are tied or in the lead. In those situations he’s completed 48 of 94 passes for 580 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. Here’s another stat: In two home games, Grossman has completed 11 passes of 20 or more yards. He’s completed three such passes in two road games.
11. Cofield… the voice of reason: “It’s not where you start it’s where you finish. Throughout my first five years I never felt like we were worse than 5-3 at the halfway mark, a lot of 6-2 starts and we didn’t finish down the stretch. I’ll be preaching that to these guys. The one year I did finish strong I got a ring to show for it.”
12. Linebacker Rocky McIntosh leads the Redskins with 27 tackles; more importantly he’s not missing them like he did last season. He looks more decisive this season.
“He’s playing great this year,” Haslett said. “He’s comfortable with what we’re doing. He’s tackling well. He’s all over the field.”
13. Kyle Shanahan said the wide-nine defense used by the Eagles isn’t all that different than facing a 3-4. The outside backers in that look essentially play where the ends do in a wide nine. Shanahan faced this sort of front as a coordinator in Houston because it was used by Tennessee.
One thing I heard out of Philadelphia is that the Eagles might have the ends play a little tighter and the linebackers a little closer to the line of scrimmage to help stop the run.
14. To sign up for my Friday email reports, click here. Have some fresh stuff in there for tomorrow.
