Jamar Chaney

Andy Reid is sticking with one rookie and going with another. Despite criticism that Casey Matthews wasn't up to the task of being the starting middle linebacker after his rocky outing in Thursday night's preseason game against the Steelers, the Eagles coach stuck with the rookie at Saturday's walk-through. The Eagles' entire starting linebacker crew, in fact, did not change after the 24-14 loss in Pittsburgh. Jamar Chaney stayed at strong-side linebacker and Moise Fokou was still at weak side.

Two weeks before the season opener, the Eagles shook up their starting lineup Sunday and promoted Akeem Jordan to first-team weakside linebacker in place of Brian Rolle, the latest move in the team's ongoing linebacker shuffle. Jordan, who has played five years with the Eagles, has started at least one game in each season in Philadelphia and has played all three linebacker spots. He did not know he was competing for the starting weakside spot until Sunday morning, when he was told that he is now a starter.

TAMPA, Fla. - Brent Celek sustained a concussion on the first play from scrimmage in Sunday's 23-21 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Celek was helped off the field after a 1-yard catch and taken to the locker room for examination. He is the third key starter on the Eagles offense to suffer a concussion this season. Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy continue to sit with lingering concussions. There was no word after the game on the severity of Celek's concussion. "For him to go out, I'll tell you it was a pretty good [hit]

When reports that the NFL was near an agreement with its locked-out officials started to leak out, Eagles safety Kurt Coleman tweeted in glee. The news became official Thursday, and the Eagles will play Sunday night's game against the New York Giants with a regular crew. Never before have so many players had such an appreciation for officiating. "It's good to have them back," Coleman said. "I think this game is going to be a lot better with them back and run a lot smoother. " Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said games should not be determined by officials, but also said he did not think about them when he played.

Walking out of the Eagles locker room following the season-ending win over the Redskins, Howard Mudd was dressed to ride. The Eagles offensive line coach had his motorcycle boots on and his helmet in hand, but he was not riding off into the sunset. Before the game, Mudd told his linemen that he planned on returning for his 39th season as an NFL coach. "I didn't know the cat was out of the bag," Eagles tackle Todd Herremans said. "I like Howard. I like his methods.

When the Eagles traded for DeMeco Ryans, the feeling of relief and excitement among fans was palpable. The team had picked up a name linebacker. Finally. But the big move doesn't necessarily mean the Eagles solved the linebacker problems that were so plain and painful to see last season. Ryans is a two-time Pro Bowler and renowned leader, but after an Achilles tear in 2010 he wasn't the same player in 2011. The Eagles are optimistic about his health and returning him to the 4-3 system in which he excelled, but even if he returns to form, the team might need insurance and definitely needs an upgrade at outside linebacker.

PERHAPS IT is a swan-song melody. Maybe it is a lame excuse. It might just be the truth. Besieged coach Andy Reid acknowledged yesterday that the Eagles' most glaring weakness results from the inexperience of its defense's core. And, hey, what coach can be held responsible for youth? The Eagles had designs on the Super Bowl but stand at a devastatingly disappointing 4-8 . . . with an error-prone, skittish group supporting the defensive line. The most frequently used linebackers and safeties, five players, have a combined 78 career starts among them.

Here is Paul Domowitch's report card from the Eagles' win against the Buccaneers. Click here to enter your grades. We will publish the results in Tuesday's Daily News. RUSHING OFFENSE: Bryce Brown, who had rushed for 347 yards and four touchdowns against Carolina and Dallas, found the going a lot tougher against the Bucs, who came into the game ranked first in the league against the run. Brown gained just 6 yards on 12 carries. Just four of his carries gained more than 1 yard.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Eagles traded linebackers Moise Fokou and Greg Lloyd to the Colts for cornerback Kevin Thomas and a 2013 conditional seventh-round draft pick. Thomas was drafted in the third round in 2010 by Indianapolis. He missed all of 2010 with a knee injury. He started five of nine games he played for the Colts last season, recording 33 tackles and defending three passes. There were reports out of Indianapolis during the spring that the 6-foot, 192-pound Thomas could challenge for a starting spot in 2012.

Here's a strange statistic: defensive end Juqua Parker has run the ball into the end zone one more time this season than Michael Vick . Parker opened the scoring Sunday night against the Jets with a 47-yard fumble return, his second touchdown of the year and third of his career. He had a 56-yard fumble return Week 1 at St. Louis and an interception return for a touchdown in 2008. Parker's score Sunday came after Kurt Coleman knocked the ball loose from Santonio Holmes . "I saw him have it in his right hand, and I just went for the shot because I knew I had a [teammate coming]