Maybe he said, "Don't do that in the game."
Linemen lead the way
With each game we're starting to see the meaning behind offensive line coach Howard's Mudd's preference for athletic linemen.
A perfect example came in the first half when the Eagles faced third down and 9 on the Dallas 12.
Michael Vick fired a quick bubble screen pass to receiver Jeremy Maclin, who had two Cowboys defenders blocking his way to the end zone. But, out of nowhere, a stampede of linemen led by tackle Jason Peters and guard Evan Mathis blazed a path for Maclin, who danced untouched into the end zone.
It was a perfectly executed play. A game ago against the Redskins, the Eagles ran another beautiful screen pass that utilized tackle Todd Herreman's athleticism. Tight end Brent Celek took the short pass then and also had an unimpeded run for a touchdown.
Two penalties for one
Over the stadium's public-address system, referee Gene Steratore told the sold-out crowd in the first quarter that the Eagles would be charged with a 5-yard penalty as tight end Clay Harbor was signaled for being offside on the kickoff.
Well, the penalty ended up being worth almost five times more.
Eagles rookie kicker Alex Henery performed a perfect coffin corner on the rekick, sending the ball out of bounds for an illegal procedure. So, instead of starting the drive on their 24-yard line, the Cowboys advanced to the 45 on the penalty.
Luckily for both Harbor and Henery, the Eagles defense bailed them out as they easily disposed of the Cowboys for a three and out.
Down in front
Following LeSean McCoy's short score on the Eagles' second drive, a jubilant Eagles fan turned around and gestured toward the seated press contingent. Hoping to elicit a cheer, the bearded fan was disappointed.
Sorry, pal. No cheering in the press box.
Nice arm, Andy
A former offensive lineman, Andy Reid also appears to have a cannon of an arm. Following Laurent Robinson's catch down the right sideline, the Eagles head coach hurled the red challenge flag 15 yards onto the field.
A crouched Nnamdi Asomugha unsuccessfully tried to grab the flag before it fell on the 30-yard line. That would have been the cornerback's second interception of the night.
In the third quarter, Reid had to resort to the challenge flag again. This time, it was just a simple toss that landed in front of his feet.
Perhaps his arm was spent. Maybe he should have called for a reliever. Regardless, Reid won both challenges.
Sending a message
Rust? What rust? After a week's rest, the Eagles came out flying to open the game.
The offense put together a lethally efficient opening drive, going 74 yards on eight plays for their first opening-drive touchdown of the year.
The defense followed up with two sacks on Dallas' first possession, forcing a punt after gifting the Cowboys the ball at their own 45. Coming off a dead week and with a five-game home losing streak, that's how you keep the crowd involved and send a message to a division rival that you have come to play.
Contact staff writer Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745, jmclane@phillynews.com or @Jeff_McLane on Twitter.
