Eagles Look to Sweep Giants

The Philadelphia Eagles don't care if Jason Sehorn plays against them on Sunday.

Sehorn, long one of the top cornerbacks in the league but struggling this year, is out with a sprained ankle. He'll be replaced by rookie Will Peterson when the New York Giants come to Veterans Stadium on Sunday. "We're not doing anything different because Sehorn is out," rookie wide receiver Freddie Mitchell said. "The rookie they have can do the job. If you start to worry about who is out there or isn't out there, you start to lose focus." Peterson has made three starts while playing in all the nickel and dime packages. He'll start with another rookie cornerback, Will Allen.

Todd Pinkston, who starts opposite James Thrash at wide receiver, had little to say about Sehorn being out. "It doesn't make any difference," he said. "We just can't wait until the last minute like last time."

The Eagles ended a nine-game losing streak against the Giants with a 10-9 victory on Oct. 22. New York dominated the game, controlled the ball for 35:20, and held Philadelphia to just 13 first downs and 215 yards.

But Donovan McNabb's 18-yard TD pass to Thrash with 1:52 remaining rallied the Eagles to their first Monday night victory in seven years.

Thrash was Peterson's responsibility on the TD catch.

"The one thing I think that they've done there is they've brought in a couple of young corners that they feel very comfortable with," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "That's what we'll see, I'm sure.

Obviously, Jason's a Pro Bowl player, but they've also covered their bases by having some guys that have some experience. Their young corners, one obviously starts, and the other one has played in nickel situations when they've moved Jason inside, so he's used to playing in games. I'm sure he'll come out and do a good job."

Sehorn made an acrobatic interception and returned it 32 yards for a TD in New York's 20-10 playoff victory over the Eagles last year. The Giants will miss his veteran leadership.

"You'd like him to be there," Giants coach Jim Fassel said. "It's important. Big-time players step up in big-time games. When you lose a big-time player, it hurts. We have Will Peterson and Dave Thomas and they have to step in there and do a good job. There is no reason they can't go out and play well. My attitude has been when we lose a guy, it's too bad. Now, the next soldier in line has to go."

No Sehorn should be a welcome sight for McNabb, who has struggled against the Giants. He has completed just 49 percent of his passes and averaged only 5.4 yards per attempt in four starts against New York.

"We went against Peterson (in the first game)," McNabb said. "I personally know Will Allen (from Syracuse). That definitely helps. We can't get caught up in them not having Sehorn out there, even though they say he plays a major part in their defense.

"I think their defensive front, as well as their linebacker corps, are the main part of their defense. If we approach it that way and focus on what we need to do in order to be successful in this game, I think we'll be fine."

Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Author: 6 - ABC, Action News