Casey Matthews

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - When training camp opened and Casey Matthews started the Eagles' first practice at middle linebacker, many assumed it would be a matter of time before the team found a veteran to take the job. But two weeks and many player transactions later, Matthews is still the man calling plays in the center of the Eagles defense. With the regular-season opener one month away, it's looking more likely that the team will rely on the fourth-round draft pick to replace Stewart Bradley.

PITTSBURGH - If the fallout from Michael Vick's GQ interview and the subsequent loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers prove anything, it's that the Eagles will be in the crosshairs. "That comes along with the territory," Vick said after Thursday night's 24-14 preseason defeat. "But we accept that challenge. It's not going to be easy. Each and every Sunday, it's not going to be easy. "This is a tough game, and every week you've got to bring your "A" game, and if you don't, you're going to be embarrassed.

Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin strained his hamstring in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 29-16 loss to the Giants and did not return. The team did not have prognosis on when Maclin will be back, but the last time the Eagles had a player with a hamstring strain he was inactive for two games. That was quarterback Vince Young , whose injury was originally described as being day-to-day. There are, of course, different grades of hamstring strains, but Maclin's status for next week's game against the San Francisco 49ers is up in the air. Maclin injured himself on the same play in which quarterback Michael Vick broke his right hand.

The Eagles' starting linebackers - a group that includes a rookie fourth-round pick and seventh-rounders in their second and third years - have come under scrutiny after the Steelers ran all over the defense Thursday. Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo said not to worry: He believes this young crop can win a championship. "The linebackers will be ready to win the Super Bowl. Remember, it takes 16 weeks, and then really whoever is playing their best during the playoffs.

He was booed. He was labeled a wasted draft pick. Even his family experienced the brunt of fan anger. Casey Matthews hopes that a second chance, and more time to learn, will improve his standing with the Eagles and in the city. Matthews has taken over as the middle linebacker in the Eagles' nickel package, gaining a more prominent role after spending most of the last nine weeks on the bench. "It's another opportunity to go out there and show what I can do and take advantage of it this time," said Matthews, a fourth-round pick.

ANDY REID will not go in front of the cameras Monday to talk about putting players in a better position to make plays. No, as far as we know, Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie did not fire Reid after Sunday's lifeless, 30-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the team's third loss in a row. But the Eagles' offices are closed as the region hunkers down for Hurricane Sandy, and Reid's weekly 94.1 WIP radio show is canceled. The tentative plan is for Reid to speak to the media Tuesday, but with the Eagles not playing again until next Monday night in New Orleans, there isn't any great rush.

BREAKING DOWN Sunday's ugly loss to the Giants while wondering whether I really needed that hip-replacement surgery last year or, like Mike Vick's hand, it just might have just been a swollen blood vessel:   Quick hits *  Three changes Juan Castillo needs to make immediately to his defense: 1) Bench rookie Casey Matthews and insert rookie Brian Rolle at weakside linebacker in his base package; 2) Put Joselio Hanson back in the nickel at slot corner. He understands the slot better than both Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha and can tackle better than both of them; and 3)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - DeMeco Ryans trailed Casey Matthews out of the locker rooms and into the players' parking lot after the first full-team practice of training camp Thursday. Matthews gave Ryans a lift back to the living area because Ryans doesn't have his car at training camp. Akeem Jordan brought the new Eagles starting linebacker to Lehigh from Philadelphia on Wednesday, so Ryans is fetching rides wherever he goes. The front passenger seat might be the only place this season in which Ryans must yield control.

As the Falcons prepare for Sunday's game against the Eagles, their offensive coaches will scour the Birds defense, looking for weak spots. They will look at two Pro Bowl cornerbacks in Nnamdi Asomugha and Asante Samuel, who helped force Rams quarterbacks into an 18-of-35 performance on Sunday, and at a pass defense that held St. Louis without a touchdown through the air, and they will shake their heads and move on. They will look at...

The Eagles are nowhere close to a sinking ship, but the waters were rough enough for the team to shuffle its linebackers after two games. No one was benched, however, despite the swelling call for rookie middle linebacker Casey Matthews to be demoted. Instead, Jamar Chaney will move into the middle, where he showed signs of promise late last season. Moise Fokou will replace him at strong-side, and Matthews will slide outside to weak-side in place of Fokou. Apparently, two games of watching running backs gash the middle of Juan Castillo's defense was enough for coach Andy Reid to make the moves with the home opener against the New York Giants looming Sunday.