Talking Points

TALKING POINTS

*The Thanksgiving Quarterback. After benching Donovan McNabb at halftime Sunday, Andy Reid couldn't go back to McNabb Thursday against the Cardinals, could he? Probably not, but stay tuned.

*Short-yardage woes, Part Eleven. With a first-and-goal at the 1 midway through the fourth quarter, Kevin Kolb got stoned on a quarterback sneak. Just inches from the goal line, Andy Reid then called – what else? – a pass play. But Kolb's pass was picked off in the back of the end zone by Ravens safety Ed Reed and returned 108 yards for a touchdown.

*Third-down troubles. The Eagles converted just 3 of 13 third-down opportunities against the Ravens. In the last two games, they are a pitiful 6-for-31 on third down.

*How hurt is Westbrook? Brian Westbrook, who battling knee and ankle injuries, had just 34 rushing and receiving yards Sunday on 16 touches. In the Eagles' last 4 games, he's averaging just 3.5 yards per touch. His backup, Correll Buckhalter, was supposed to get more work against the Ravens, but injured his knee early and had just 2 carries for 16 yards. Guess what else the Eagles need to draft next April? Uh-huh.

*The other benchings. McNabb got benched at halftime, but tight end L.J. Smith and weakside linebacker Omar Gaither were benched before the game. Wasn't it just last month that Andy Reid referred to Smith as his "All-Pro tight end?"