Eagles Notebook: Eagles start Cole over Jean-Gilles

LANDOVER, Md. - When Max Jean-Gilles practiced Saturday and took most of the first-team reps, it sure seemed logical to assume he was starting last night against the Redskins. Particularly since the right guard would be lining up against Albert Haynesworth, Washington's 6-6, 335-pound pile-shifter.

Jean-Gilles said he supposed he would start. But Jean-Gilles, who suffered a concussion the week before against Indianapolis, was only available as a backup. Nick Cole, whose sore knee has made him a marginal player this season, got the nod. A year ago, Cole probably would have been preferable to Jean-Gilles, if both were healthy, but big Max has worked diligently to improve after undergoing lap-band surgery, and Cole, who has his own weight issues, hasn't had any kind of year at all.

The only hint of this might have come when Eagles coach Andy Reid spoke following Saturday's practice, and emphasized that Cole had gotten the bulk of the prep work.

"We'll just see how things go," Reid said. "Obviously, Nick's gotten the most reps this week. We're comfortable [with both guys]. We know both guys are starting-caliber guards. So we'll just see how they feel. We have to see how Max does here after this practice. So this was kind of the next step."

After the game, Reid said Cole started because he got the majority of the practice reps and the Redskins do "complicated things," especially with their blitzing. Reid said it would not have been fair to Jean-Gilles for him to play without having practiced.

Given that Jean-Gilles was one of only seven offensive linemen the Eagles activated last night, it would seem unlikely any sort of setback occurred. An Eagles spokesman said nothing had changed regarding Jean-Gilles' status, since he was cleared to play by independent neurologist Dr. William Welch.

As it turned out, the identity of the right guard was not an issue early, with the Eagles roaring to a 35-0 lead one play into the second quarter. Cole did take an early false-start penalty. He later fell on a Michael Vick fumble.

The Eagles activated rookie tight end Clay Harbor for the first time since the season opener, deactivating veteran tight end Garrett Mills. Mills had not sat since coming up from the practice squad Sept. 13.

Also inactive, as expected, were free safety Nate Allen (neck) and corner Ellis Hobbs (hip), along with running back/wideout Chad Hall, rookie defensive end Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, and offensive linemen King Dunlap and Reggie Wells. Dunlap is recovering from a knee injury.

The Redskins' first touchdown was scored by former Villanova fullback Darrel Young . . . Michael Vick passed Steve Young (4,239 yards) and became the second-leading rusher all-time among NFL quarterbacks, trailing only Randall Cunningham . . . Left guard Todd Herremans was taken out late in the game but Andy Reid said Herremans was just getting rest . . . Ernie Sims has a slight ankle strain, Juqua Parker has a hip flexor strain and LeSean McCoy has a shoulder injury. Reid said all three should be available against the Giants.