By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
Not the same Lions and not the same Eagles backfield. Same result, however — barely. Despite a valiant comeback attempt by Detroit, Michael Vick and Shady McCoy lifted the Eagles past the Lions, 35-32 on Sunday.
What once was ruled by Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, has been taken over — at least for Sunday’s game against the Lions — by Vick and second year back McCoy.
McCoy, who was trusted with the rock in place of Westbrook this winter, toted the ball 16 times for 120 yards and three — count ‘em — three scores in the Eagles win. The game is Shady’s first hundred yard performance of his career. He showed a burst and willingness to bust through the line that makes his future more than promising.
LeSean "Shady" McCoy celebrates one of his three TDs in Sunday's win over Detriot. The game was his first 100-yard performance as a pro.
As good as Shady was, Vick, making his first start in nearly four years, was just as impressive in his audition for a starting job in the NFL next year. (And, don’t even think for a moment about saying he should start here this year.) He finished 21-of-34 for 284 yards and two scores. He found DeSean jackson four times for 135 yards and one TD.
After getting off to a questionable start behind a putrid Eagles o-line, Vick rallied the troops. And, McCoy was his sidekick. Trailing 17-7 in the second quarter, Shady bulled his way 17 yards to paydirt. Vick then followed up with a nine-yard TD pass to Jeremy Maclin to give the Eagles a 21-17 lead at halftime and never looked back.
The Eagles came out after halftime and built the lead to 35-17 with a pair of McCoy TD runs — of four and 46 yards, respectively.
Michael Vick looked like his old Human Joystick self during his first NFL start in nearly four years on Sunday.
The Lions tried to make a game of it with a Jahvid Best TD run in the fourth. Then, Calvin Johnson hauled in a 19-yard pass from Shaun Hill, and a two-point conversion, to make it 35-32. However, after recovering an onside kick, the Lions offense couldn’t get the tying field goal against the eagles defense.
Best finished the day with 232 all-purpose yards and three TDs (two rushing, one receiving) , while Johnson had 50 yards and a score, but it wasn’t near enough.
Sunday was all about Vick, Jackson and McCoy.
And, as good as Vick looked, he’ll be back on the bench next week in Jacksonville as Kevin Kolb is ready to return from a concussion.
