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Eagles Notebook: Herremans out for season, O-line lacking focus

Much has been made of the wobbly offensive line protecting Mike Vick in recent days. Inside the locker room, the men up front are staying the course. The injuries have crippled them — especially after it was announced that Todd Herremans was lost for the season — and cohesion has been the biggest issue.

“It’s kind of weird, it’s like a “Final Destination” kind of thing. Hopefully I don’t get hit by a bus,” Evan Mathis said.

Offensive line coach Howard Mudd has been the target of some ire, too. The grizzled line guru is frustrated with his unit, but remains confident in them.

“His message is one game at a time,” Mathis said. “Have confidence in what you’re doing. He believes we can do it, we believe we can do it, we just have to go out and execute.”

No one along the line is blaming Mudd or a lack of effort. It’s been a mixture of poor technique, a lack of focus and an overall chemistry issue.

It was not communication or effort, I think it was
focus,” Mathis said. “Maybe some guys were focusing on the wrong things, maybe they were
thinking too much, trying to do too much, but it wasn’t effort
.”

“I think not having a consistent group of guys starting each week is rough on any offensive line,” injured center Jaosn Kelce said.

Kelce, who spent time working with Jeff Saturday this past offseason, plans to study Cowboys film and impart any words of wisdom he can to his linemates.

“This week they’re playing against a 3-4 team in Dallas and Jay Ratliff, so I’m just going to talk to them a little bit. I played against them twice last year,” Kelce said.

Kelce is targeting the start of training camp next year to return, by the way.

Vick silences little brother

Mike Vick was caught off guard after Monday night’s game when reporters questioned a tweet from his brother, Marcus, requesting a trade out of Philadelphia. Marcus was sending messages, via Twitter, throughout the game. His Eagles analysis on the social media platform is over.

“You’ll never see that again,” Mike said. “I told him to shut off the Twitter.”

Tapp welcomes baby girl

Darryl Tapp missed Monday’s game to stay in Philadelphia and be with his wife since the couple was expecting its first child. They got their wish Tuesday afternoon, around 12:30 p.m., when Tapp’s wife gave birth to a baby girl. Her name is Taylor Nicole Tapp, making her initials TNT.

“Kid dynamite,” Tapp joked. (Tapp said he had the full support of coach Andy Reid to miss Monday’s game for this monumental life event).

Vandervelde up, Herremans down

Though not official yet — a press release is expected later Wednesday afternoon — Todd Herremans’ season is over. The starting right tackle left Monday’s game with a foot tendon injury and never returned.

Offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde confirmed to reporters that he has been added to the 53-man roster. To make room, defensive tackle Frank Trotter was cut from the practice squad, but he will be re-signed once the Herremans’ move is official. Safety Phillip Thomas was also added to the practice squad.

With Herremans out, that leaves just one starter on the offensive line from Week 1, in Evan Mathis. During Wednesday’s morning walk-through, King Dunlap was at right tackle and Demetress Bell was back at left tackle. The struggling unit has allowed 27 sacks this season, including seven last week to New Orleans.

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