Eagles Notes: Banged-up Maclin has a big day for Eagles

Posted: September 10, 2012

CLEVELAND - Jeremy Maclin's bid for a breakthrough season began Sunday in a 17-16 Eagles win over the Cleveland Browns with a performance that could be hailed for its achievements or panned for its shortcomings.

Maclin dazzled with seven receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown, but he also was treated twice for injuries, watched a Browns interception deflect off his hands and committed two penalties.

The achievements included a 48-yard reception at the end of the first half that Browns coach Pat Shurmur said was all Maclin: Browns cornerback Buster Skrine stayed with Maclin and the Eagles receiver still made the play. On the next play, Maclin beat Browns cornerback Joe Haden with a double move for an 18-yard touchdown reception.

Maclin led the Eagles in catches and receiving yards even though he suffered a hip injury in the first half. Later, he had his legs examined and required intravenous fluid.

"He's going to be sore tomorrow - real sore - but he toughened it up and made it through," coach Andy Reid said.

On the interception, Maclin called it "one of those unfortunate plays" and said he didn't know whether he could have extended farther to make the catch.

"It's a play that maybe if I leave my feet and dive, I get it," Maclin said. "I don't know. We just weren't on the same page there."

Flags pile up

The Eagles committed 12 penalties for 110 yards, continuing a trend that plagued the team last season and during the preseason. Four of those penalties were offensive holding calls, and two more holding penalties were declined.

There was evident frustration among the players regarding the officiating. It was the first regular-season game with replacement officials.

"It's a lot to be asking of these refs," offensive lineman Todd Herremans said. "I think they're doing a good job for the amount of time they've had to prepare. I'm not going to sit here and say we didn't hold today or anything like that. There will probably be games like that. We need to clean it up, get our hands inside and move our feet. There will probably be games when we get away with stuff, but we can't rely on that."

Harbor's catching on

Clay Harbor made the biggest catch of his career when he pulled in a 4-yard touchdown pass with 1 minute, 18 seconds left, setting up the extra point that gave the Eagles the win. Harbor said it was the same play that resulted in a touchdown during the preseason against the New England Patriots. It's set up for Harbor to match up one-on-one against the middle linebacker, and that's what happened Sunday.

"There was a small window, [Michael Vick] put it in the only place he could have," Harbor said. "It was a great ball, and I couldn't have done anything but catch it."

Harbor caught three passes for 16 yards. He was targeted by Vick six times, evidence that the third-year tight end will have a relevant role in the offense.

Two picks for cornerback

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie suffered a stinger but returned to the game. After going all of last season without an interception, Rodgers-Cromartie had two on Sunday.

"I give credit to the D-line because I knew the ball was going to have to come out fast and I was just snapping my head around to just a feel for where the ball is," Rodgers-Cromartie said "You know when there is an opportunity for an interception, you have to make it."

It was the third multi-interception game of Rodgers-Cromartie's career.

Sitting one out

The Eagles' inactive players included offensive tackle Demetress Bell and running back Dion Lewis. Bell was a healthy scratch, a steep decline for a player who was signed to replace Jason Peters at left tackle and held the starting job at the beginning of the preseason. He is now behind fifth-round pick Dennis Kelly on the depth chart.

Lewis was questionable with a hamstring injury, although he'll need to fight to keep the No. 2 running back from seventh-round pick Bryce Brown, who backed up LeSean McCoy on Sunday. Brown rushed twice for 3 yards.

Extra points

Cornerback Curtis Marsh left the game with a hamstring injury. . . . Reid passed Hank Stram for 22nd on the NFL's all-time wins with 137, including the postseason. . . . First-round pick Fletcher Cox recorded his first career sack.


Contact Zach Berman at zberman@phillynews.com or follow on Twitter @ZBerm.

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