Sam Donnellon: For Eagles' secondary, it's been slim pick 'ems

SHROUDED BY THE angst over Andy Reid's playcalling and Donovan McNabb's grasp of the rules, the Eagles' defense went back to work this week, seeking to unlock what may be the greatest mystery of all surrounding this season.

Namely, why don't they have more interceptions?

The Eagles' secondary, which includes three players who have played in at least one Pro Bowl and one (Sheldon Brown) who should have by now, has nine interceptions this season. The Giants have 14, the Titans have 15, the Packers have 16. None of these teams went out and signed themselves a free-agent cornerback in the offseason, a player known for big interceptions and big plays and one humongous drop in last year's Super Bowl, which would have assured his New England Patriots team of a fourth world championship.

Asante Samuel has three interceptions this season. He has dropped or just missed at least twice as many, including a couple in Sunday's 13-13 tie with the Bengals. Balls wobbled in the air, Cincinnati quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick gave away targets with his eyes all game long, but not one of his 44 passing attempts was picked by an Eagles' defensive backfield that was supposed to be the envy of the land this season.

"It's amazing," defensive coordinator Jim Johnson was saying yesterday. "We drill turnovers . . . "

Yes they do. More and more each week, it would seem. The Jugs machine fires balls at them as they run to, from and laterally. This week, they have added large pads to simulate a receiver, forcing the defensive back to position in front of the pad in time to pick the ball off.

So, far, the results have been negligible. And Samuel, who had 16 interceptions in his final two seasons with New England, is the poster child. Of his interceptions this season, none has come in the last 2 weeks.

"Here's a guy who has great hands," said Johnson. "He's got great break on the ball. And he had two chances, or maybe almost three, for interceptions."

Samuel's struggles are not isolated. He is not the only Eagles defensive back with a bad case of the yips this season. He's barely even - pardon the expression - a carrier. Quintin Mikell has two. Lito Sheppard, whose opportunity has diminished with Samuel's arrival, has one.

Sheldon Brown and Brian Dawkins do not have one.