Cullen Jenkins

MIKE PATTERSON. Cullen Jenkins. And there will be more. Roster carnage is the only certainty when an NFL team fires an underperforming coach. Andy Reid goes, Chip Kelly arrives, the vision of the entire Eagles organization changes and the world is again reminded that those 8-year contracts signed by NFL players are really a series of eight, 1-year contracts. And don't forget to write. With that, a word here about cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha: He needs to go - for his sake, and Kelly's sake, and everyone's.

It was so much simpler when Joe Banner was around. He was the cartoon villain with the black cape and the twitchy mustache. If the Eagles did something coldhearted or tone-deaf or just plain arrogant, Banner got the blame. Fans, media, radio talk-show hosts had their bad guy. So now what, now that Banner and his black hat are in Cleveland? It was Howie Roseman who stuck a second shiv into the back of defensive tackle Mike Patterson on Wednesday. It was Roseman, the general manager touted as a kinder and gentler contract negotiator, who slashed Patterson's pay in August and then deprived him of more money by putting him on the non-football illness reserve list.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre had minor ankle surgery yesterday and is expected to recover in time for offseason workouts. Favre, who plans to return for his 17th NFL season, has been bothered for several years by a buildup of bone spurs in his left ankle. He kept putting off the procedure, and skipped out on a previously scheduled surgery Jan. 1. "The procedure went as expected and he is recovering at this time," general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement.

The Eagles will be without two of their top defensive ends Sunday when they play the Giants in their home opener. Darryl Tapp (torn pectoral muscle) and Juqua Parker (high ankle sprain) were both ruled out for Sunday's game, coach Andy Reid said. That means defensive end Phillip Hunt will likely see more playing time this week and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins , tied for the team lead with three sacks, may play some at defensive end. That would leave more snaps for fellow tackles Trevor Laws and Antonio Dixon . "Well, we're lucky we have some depth there," Reid said.

Eagles strong safety Nate Allen did not practice Friday after suffering a left hamstring injury during Thursday's workout. Allen strained his right hamstring in the fourth quarter of a 26-23 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions on Oct. 14. After the bye week, he returned and played in Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, recording nine tackles. He said his right hamstring is fine. "It is frustrating," he said of the latest setback, but "Monday is not out of the picture. " If Allen is not able to play against the New Orleans Saints, David Sims would start.

THEY HAVE Super Bowl rings, but not Cullen Jenkins. And members of the Green Bay Packers' defense say the new Eagles tackle will be missed. Jenkins, who contributed seven sacks last season, signed a 5-year, $25 million free-agent contract with the Eagles last weekend after the Packers declined to bring him back. "I watch a lot of film, I'm a film junkie," Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji told reporters in Wisconsin. "He is the best interior pass rusher in this league. Just his ability, his approach, his technique, there's no way you can replace that.

Demetress Bell is expected to start at left tackle this week after King Dunlap was ruled out for the Eagles' game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Dunlap missed practice all week with a hamstring injury. "I'm trying to get back next week," Dunlap said. Bell was signed during the offseason to start at left tackle before losing his job to Dunlap during the preseason. He was inactive for the season opener against the Cleveland Browns in favor of rookie Dennis Kelly, a fifth-round pick.

THE EAGLES started the season with this impossibly deep, imposing defensive-line corps that was going to terrorize the league. It didn't look so imposing down the stretch Sunday. Rookie defensive tackle Fletcher Cox was ejected for throwing a punch at the bottom of a pile following a Lions extra point with 10:30 left in regulation. Veteran Derek Landri, who frankly hasn't excelled this year, was playing with a bad knee and looked really creaky. More under the microscope, though, are the three veteran starters who lead the group - defensive ends Trent Cole (30 years old)

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Jay Jacobs says Auburn is reviewing allegations of rules violations in the football program during its 2010 national championship season but doesn't believe they're credible. Jacobs issued a statement Thursday in response to a report a day that quoted former Auburn players Mike McNeil and Darvin Adams alleging they received or were offered money from coaches. McNeil also says he had a grade changed to stay eligible. Also, ESPN reported Thursday that the 2010 Tigers were gripped by an epidemic of synthetic marijuana use that led to a rash of failed drug tests and a decision at the highest levels of the university's athletic department to keep the results confidential.