Eagles' Pro Bowl streak may be coming to an end

The NFL will announce its Pro Bowl rosters today, and the Eagles might not be represented for the first time since 1998, when the team went 3-13 in coach Ray Rhodes' final season.

During coach Andy Reid's previous nine seasons as head coach, the Eagles always had at least two Pro Bowl representatives, including a team-record 10 in 2004 when they reached the Super Bowl.

The team's three representatives last year were running back Brian Westbrook, guard Shawn Andrews, and defensive end Trent Cole.

Although Westbrook, a two-time Pro Bowler, has the reputation of being one of the game's best running backs, he has not been nearly as effective this season as he was a year ago when he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage. He was just 17th in that department going into Week 15.

Andrews, who is also a two-time Pro Bowl player, obviously won't be going to a third after missing all but two games because of a back injury.

Cole, who was added to the NFC roster last season after Seattle's Patrick Kerney asked out because of an injury, may be the Eagles' best chance to have representation in the NFL's February all-star game in Hawaii, but that seems to be a long shot, too.

With just seven sacks through 13 games, Cole ranked sixth among NFC defensive ends in that department going into Week 15. He also had nine tackles for losses, which was tied for the most in the NFL.

Cornerback Asante Samuel, who made his first Pro Bowl last season with the New England Patriots, also is a candidate. His 20 passes defended were tied for the third most going into last night's game.

They did it again. It was hard to believe that Samuel duplicated the rookie gaffe by Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson from the team's only other Monday Night Football appearance this season.

It was clear that Samuel dropped the football before crossing the goal line on his 50-yard interception return in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns.

Samuel did have the presence of mind to pick up the football again in the end zone and was credited with his first touchdown in an Eagles uniform. It was Samuel's fourth interception of the season and his fourth career interception return for a touchdown.

Dawkins stands alone. Eagles safety Brian Dawkins received a standing ovation in the first quarter for setting the franchise record for games played. Dawkins played in his 181st career game, surpassing Harold Carmichael's total of 180.

On that same drive, Dawkins had a tackle for a 2-yard loss. He added a tackle for a 2-yard loss in the second quarter as he continued to play some of his best football of the season down the stretch.

Brown sits again. Reggie Brown was among the Eagles' inactive players for the second-straight game as Reid opted to go with five wide receivers again. Brown, who had never missed a game before this year, has been deactivated for six games this season.

Running back Lorenzo Booker also was back on the bench after dressing the previous two games against Arizona and the New York Giants. Correll Buckhalter's return from a sprained knee ligament led to that decision.

Reid opted to go with Kyle Eckel instead of Booker. Eckel had converted two critical third-and-1 plays in the Eagles' wins over the Cardinals and Giants.

Also inactive: linebacker Joe Mays, defensive end Bryan Smith, tackle Chris Patrick, tight end Matt Schobel, and Andrews.

Why the Wildcat? The Eagles gave away a chance to score midway through the second quarter when Browns safety Sean Jones intercepted a pass in the end zone on a third-and-goal play from the 7-yard line.

The pass was thrown by the wide receiver Jackson, who took the direct snap from the Eagles' version of the Wildcat formation.

That play call is sure to trigger some debate this morning.

Extra points. Ruben Studdard of American Idol fame sang the national anthem before the game. . . . Former Eagles center Hank Fraley was one of the Browns' captains last night. . . . After he failed to come up with a reception for the first time this season in the win over the Giants, Jackson caught a first-down pass from Donovan McNabb in the opening quarter last night.