Watkins to start against Bills— is this a “Rocky” moment for Eagles comeback?

I’ve been waiting for a chance to rally behind our Canadian rookie guard, Danny Watkins.  Now I get my chance.

A #1 Draft Pick has enough pressure on him already… now Danny Watkins is expected to come up large on the offensive line against the Buffalo Bills this coming Sunday… if the Eagles win and Watkins plays well, I expect the added pressure (and excitement) of “the Fireman”‘s becoming a “Rocky” symbol for the comeback road that lies ahead.

Rookie first-round draft pick Danny Watkins, inactive three of the first four weeks after losing his starting job at right guard just before the season opener, has been installed as the starter again. In addition, King Dunlap is expected to start at left guard in place of Jason Peters, who has a hamstring strain and is doubtful for this coming Sunday’s road game against the Buffalo Bills.

“This is four weeks I’ve been coming in early, leaving late, just trying to get better and work away at it,” Watkins said. “I’ve made ground for sure.”

“I’d just say that we’re always trying to get the best guys on the field that we possibly can,” coach Andy Reid said. “It really has nothing to do with what the other guys have done, their size or anything like that. “… He’s worked with [offensive line coach] Howard [Mudd] and just going over all the small things it takes to play. We’ve eased him back in the past couple of weeks, and he’s handled it well and done well. We’ll give him a little bit more this week and we’ll see how he does.”

Kyle DeVan, who started the first four games at right guard, said he only had himself to blame for the demotion. “There’s some plays in every game that you want to go back and change,” DeVan said. “… Against the 49ers, there were a few more plays I wish I could have changed than I should have. I felt like it wasn’t my best game, I mean, there’s no doubt about that. But there’s some good things I did, and some things I can improve on, so it’s a work in progress.”

DeVan was called for two holding penalties and was tripped in the backfield on a goal-line play in which running back Ronnie Brown fumbled away a pass-run option as he was being tackled for a loss.

Watkins’ promotion places him next to fellow rookie Jason Kelce at center and veteran Todd Herremans at right tackle. “I don’t think he’d be put in there if he wasn’t ready,” Kelce said. “Mentally, he’s a lot more together. Now, instead of asking guys what’s going on, he knows what’s going on.”

Herremans acknowedged that the Eagles’ 1-3 predicament has a lot to do with the decision to go with Watkins. “I think there’s two sides of it,” Herremans said. “I think if we were rolling along at 4-0 and hadn’t given up any sacks and playing great, I don’t know if a change would be made. We’re not sitting like that. I think there are reasons for the change, and it’s not just our performance — it’s also what Danny has done along the way.

“He’s done a good job adjusting to his role when he was asked to take a step back, slow things down and start learning all over again. You can’t take our performance and single out Kyle DeVan and say he’s the reason that this is being done. That’s not fair to him or Danny. Danny has obviously done enough where they think he deserves this chance.”

I know intellectually it is illogical to project Danny Watkins as the motivational difference that somehow saves the Eagles season by rising up like Rocky (from the first movie; I didn’t like Rocky II or IV at all; III was just a-ight)… it is just a feeling that I have right now. No one single player can save the season. Watkins is more a symbol of overcoming demotion… I think he can do it. I know I want him to do it. 

Fancy Fantasy Football League Results and Standings:
EEB  “BRISUKSEGG” Conference,  Week 4….

Team Bone (Boner) (2-1-1)  tied with the Amputatoes (Jerk) (2-1-1),  a 126-126 barn burner!…
How You Like Dem Apples (Hud) (2-2)  beat McLuvin’s Pastries (LEO) (1-3), 136- 96….
Dem Stinken Bums (ATV) (1-3) beat Team Jax Eagles (Andrew M.) (2-2),  160-146…
Team Conahan (Robert) (2-2) lost to the Nut Chokers (JB) (2-2),  91-121….
Marty Funkhouser (Harry O.) (3-1) crushed Lancaster RubberNecks (Gary) (2-2), 134- 59….
Green Machine (David C.) (0-4) lost to Sunny’s Jock Strap (MOTHRA) (4-0), 107-149.

More Eagles News:  Derek Landri is back … to fill DT Antonio Dixon’s (Injured Reserve) spot on the active roster.

Reid said Landri’s experience — he started all 16 games for the Carolina Panthers last year — was the dealbreaker in keeping Landri over Cedric Thornton, who originally made the team over Landri coming out of camp. Thornton then had to be cut the next day (and subsequently re-signed to the practice squad) to make room for free agent offensive lineman Kyle DeVan..

“I’m not disappointed,” Thornton said. “I just feel like they wanted a veteran in a spot to replace Dixon right now, because it would be like throwing a rookie in the water, probably putting higher expectations on him. Not saying that they don’t think I could live up to it, but they think a veteran would be more reliable.”