Solt says his knees, despite the surgery, feel just as bad now as they did last year, and he could not play then without cortisone shots. The Eagles do not believe in giving pain shots, so Solt does not play - at least for the near future.
On WIP Sports Radio yesterday morning, Solt implied that perhaps the Colts' front office, a bunch he has no love for, did not inform the Eagles of the extent of his injuries during the consummation of the trade.
"That's his opinion," Eagles president Harry Gamble said. "But my feeling is our trainer was in touch with their trainer, our doctors were in touch with their doctors, there was an exchange of information, then we gave a physical examination here."
Gamble would not specify whether the Eagles were aware of the fact that Solt took cortisone shots before every game last year, but emphasized the Eagles - with the cooperation of the Colts - did not enter into this blind.
"We gave him a very thorough physical, and when the time came, our medical people, medical team, recommended that if he can help, if he's a guy who's a good football player, then bring him in," Gamble said. "And that's exactly what we did.
"There was a modest risk, there's no question about the fact that there was a risk factor. Obviously, it appears that maybe - again, maybe - the risk factor was greater than maybe was felt by our people."
But Gamble said there was no bitter taste in his mouth over the curiouser and curiouser circumstances of this strange acquisition.
"You're dealing with human beings, and everybody's a little different," Gamble said. "There's a lot of factors that enter into it. We were aware of a problem. I would like to believe that he will make a contribution to our football team this year, and certainly if he doesn't this year, I would like to believe that he will be here with us and play for us for five or six years to come.
"I'd like to see Ron playing, but at the same time, I have no hard feelings (toward the Colts)."
INJURY REPORT
For the Eagles: defensive tackle Mike Golic (ankle) is listed as doubtful; wide receiver Gregg Garrity (knee), guard Ron Solt (knee) and defensive tackle Mike Pitts (ankle) are questionable.
For the Rams: linebacker Mel Owens (ankle) and wide receiver Mike Young (back) are doubtful; cornerback Mickey Sutton (ankle) and tight end Jon Embree (knee) are probable.
BIRDSEED
There still are 2,500 tickets remaining for Sunday's game. If they are not sold by 1 p.m. today, the game will be blacked out locally . . . Although Gregg Garrity did not practice yesterday and is listed as questionable because of slightly torn cartilage in his left knee, Buddy Ryan said he definitely would play Sunday . . . Wide receiver Kenny Jackson practiced with the team for the first time yesterday. Ryan said he wouldn't play Sunday. "He looks good, though," Ryan said. "Fresh legs. He was about killing himself in one- on-ones."
