ESPN: TO to Start vs. Bengals

[HoosierCat]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2142852

T.O. to start Eagles' preseason game vs. Bengals

PHILADELPHIA -- Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb now can give each other the silent treatment in a game.

Owens and McNabb will play together in a game for the first time since their public feud began when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday night. Owens missed the first preseason game after he was sent home for a week following an argument with Eagles coach

Andy Reid. He was held out of the second game because of a groin injury.

"He feels pretty good. He's running around good. He hasn't had a lot of pain in there," Reid said Thursday.

It'll be interesting to see if Owens and McNabb communicate on the field or along the sideline. The All-Pro receiver and the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback don't speak to each other. Owens started the friction in April when he took a shot at McNabb's performance in Philadelphia's Super Bowl loss to New England. He also called McNabb a "hypocrite" earlier this month.

"I think it's very important that we be able to get some work," McNabb said earlier this week, hoping the two can get along well enough to lead the Eagles to a championship.

The notoriously vocal Eagles fans will have their first chance to give Owens a real earful since he started demanding a new contract just one season into the seven-year, $48.97 million deal he signed in March 2004.

Owens received a mixture of boos and cheers at training camp, but fans haven't been allowed at practice since Owens came back from his one-week banishment and the team returned to its practice facility in Philadelphia.

While Owens makes his season debut at home, Bengals rookie David Pollack will make his first preseason appearance after ending a 20-day holdout last week. Pollack, the 17th overall pick in the draft, is playing outside linebacker after setting a school record with 36 sacks as a defensive lineman at Georgia.

"He's had a good week," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "Every time he steps on the field, he practices hard, and he's learning what he needs to learn. He's getting closer to doing the things he needs to do."

Pollack, who intercepted two passes in practice on Wednesday, is starting to adjust to his new position.

"I've been in different spots," he said. "There's so much talent here. We have a lot of guys who can move and a lot of guys who are really versatile."

On the offensive side, it could be an important game for Bengals wideout Peter Warrick. The former first-round pick is vying for playing time behind Pro Bowler Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Warrick is competing with Kelley Washington, Kevin Walter, and rookie Chris Henry.

Now that Owens is back, the Eagles can sort out their receiving corps. Philly lost starter Todd Pinkston and reserve Justin Jenkins to season-ending injuries. Third-year pro Greg Lewis starts opposite Owens and rookie Reggie Brown is the No. 3 receiver ahead of third-year pro Billy McMullen. Carlos Perez took Jenkins' spot.

The Eagles also lost running back Correll Buckhalter to his third season-ending knee injury in four years. Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook is expected to play the first half with the starters, though it's likely rookie Ryan Moats will get plenty of action with the first team.

Left tackle Tra Thomas, who missed most of training camp with a blood clot in his leg, will get his first start for the Eagles.

Both teams are 1-1 in the preseason. The Bengals are coming off consecutive 8-8 seasons in Lewis' first two years. The Eagles have won four straight NFC East titles and went to the Super Bowl for the first time in 24 years.

[LABengalsFan09]

Good test, I'm all for them lining up against him in the preseason. They saw him in '03 but Tory was the only holdover....

[DesperateDerelict]

No mention of any payback - are the Eagles pissed about the 38 - 10 stomping last December, or don't they care?

[Bengals4Me]

I live in PA with lots of Eagles fans around here. I don't even think they remember the game last year vs. the Bengals.

I'd love to see Peter W. outplay TO this game. As well as CJ put on a good show.

[walshfan]

If TO plays who covers him? Im presuming its James...

[TippCityRick]

Do ya think the Bengals would like to see PW play well this week? Talk about auditioning in your dance partner's backyard.

[semiotter]

Hey I also just heard on ESPN that Andy Reid said he was going to play his starters the whole 1st half....Cool, almost like a reg. season game. Its getting closer gang the season opener!!!!!! :player: I cant wait, I hope we dont have another slow start this year....

[kingwilly]

If.. <IF>...TO plays, I would imagine they would double him alot with Deltha and bring either Kiewan or a safety over the top.

[Stripes]

If.. <IF>...TO plays, I would imagine they would double him alot with Deltha and bring either Kiewan or a safety over the top.

Agreed, I think it'll be Deltha and whichever available safety covering T.O. This should be an interesting matchup, to see the new look defense going against a mobile quaterback. With our speed, it is likely we'll see some overpursuits, but hopefully those problems won't haunt us throughout Donovan's playing time.

[swordman]

No mention of any payback - are the Eagles pissed about the 38 - 10 stomping last December, or don't they care?

i think they don't care because it the backups playing

but wait a moment the backups will play too this game at least the second half

if our first offense is playing longer than philly's one the philly backups will be very motivated!!!

[JPW]

Hey I also just heard on ESPN that Andy Reid said he was going to play his starters the whole 1st half....Cool, almost like a reg. season game. Its getting closer gang the season opener!!!!!! :player: I cant wait, I hope we dont have another slow start this year....

Well it is the third preseason game and that is the game where your starters play the most often into the 3rd quarter.