Ugly debut

Well, that was an ugly pre-season opener...and not just the miserable weather. 14 penalties, 8 Eagles carted off the field, a blocked punt and only two FGs for their effort. Of course, it is only preseason, or as some call it, exhibition games - i.e, they don't count.

Let's not put too much stock in this "matchup" between the defending super bowl champs and one of the main contenders in the NFC. This was a game to get everyone broken in and to finally get to hit someone other than your teammates. Most importantly, this was a game in which players should have been most focused on not getting hurt. Unfortunately, the Eagles failed in that regard.

Eight injuries! Not sure if it was the miserable soaking rain condition or what. Already, we lost a safety for the year with a season ending knee injury (Quinton Mikell). Anyone who saw the play in which Matt Ware was carted off the field also had to be worried that he was also done for 2004. I certainly thought he broke his leg or ankle. It did remind me of they way in which Carlos Emmons was injured - with a defensive teammate rolling into a leg that was planted. Amazingly, Ware only suffered a leg contusion, albeit one that has him on crutches.

If any good can be taken from the injury report it is that at least none of the starters went down and the injured have a full month to recover before the games that count actually begin.

Other than that, let's forget this game ever happened. Which is how the record books will handle it anyway.