Eagles starting right tackle Winston Justice writes a weekly column for the Daily News to provide his insights into the team. His columns appear Wednesdays.
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Winston will answer the best of those submitted in future columns.
THE LAST two games have been nail-biters, right down to the fourth quarter. But the thing about the Eagles, it never changes the dynamics of our team.
If we are ahead by seven or down a few, we are always trying to score more points. The leadership in the huddle starts with Donovan McNabb, who always remains poised throughout the game. Donovan calls out the plays in the huddle, but the play-calling does not end there.
On the line of scrimmage, the leader of the offensive line is Jamaal Jackson. Jackson reads the defense and directs the offensive line. There are a lot of personalities like McNabb and Jackson who are born to lead, but in the NFL seniority also plays a role. The young guys are always looking up to the players who have been in the league longer. Coaches usually give the final say to the man with the most playing years.
A lot of talk in the locker room has been about the mounting injuries on the team. This late in the season, injuries are just a part of the game and are to be expected. For DeSean Jackson and Brian Westbrook, suffering through a concussion can be a serious consequence of the game. There is no training-room rehab or surgical procedure for these types of head injuries.
Getting on the field, no player really thinks about getting a concussion or even getting hurt. We are mostly just playing to win.
Personally, I am not even thinking about the risks of the game and any head injuries when I step on the field. Of course, there have been a few times I have been hit and could not recall the last play, but it all comes with the game of football.
I can't wait till this weekend in Atlanta. It is another must-win game for us. One thing fans can watch out for is the offensive handshakes that go on between players during warmups before the games. It is kind of like a ritual. Individual players make up unique handshakes for each other. Nick Cole and I have one. Todd Herremans and Jamaal Jackson have one. Just a funny way to get hyped for the game and build camaraderie.
What is it that allowed you to continue to chop wood and do what you do to succeed when all of us were saying you wouldn't make it? - John Talton, Haddonfield, N.J.
John, God blessed me with a very strong group of loving people around me. My wife Dania was supportive of me; at times she was probably the only one in my corner. My offensive line coach, Juan Castillo, also never lost hope.
But most importantly, I used those few years and negative headlines to draw closer to God. If I played for contract money, next year, someone would surpass me. If I played for fame, people would forget. But playing for God brought me peace.
Another reader asked if I did anything special to celebrate my new contract. No, not really. I believe that it is a real blessing, but at the end of the day it doesn't change much. Our good friends took us to dinner to celebrate. You know, us linemen love to eat. In my next life, I hope to come back as a restaurant critic.
