While every player on the Saints has spent time at
the team's training facility the past few days watching tape, lifting
weights and doing conditioning work on their own, and for those that
needed it, getting a little extra treatment for bumps and bruises, the
team returned for formal meetings and a mandatory strength and
conditioning period as they get ready for their playoff game against a
team to be determined. The Saints also received a boost with the
return of defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, who has spent the previous
four weeks on the shelf as part of the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Thomas, an effervescent and jovial sort, is allowed to participate in
full team drills and is expected to jump back into the rotation at
defensive tackles, according to coach Sean Payton. "He's doing well,"
Payton said. "He was in here on Tuesday lifting and running. He was
also here on Wednesday. I was encouraged with where he was at
weight-wise and he'll have this week where he'll be lifting and
running. He was at our team meeting today and he'll practice Friday.
He's back in the mix."
The Eagles finished off their regular season by
winning five straight games and capturing the NFC East title. That hot
streak has rolled over into the playoffs as the Eagles escape with a
23-20 victory over the Giants in their NFC wild-card matchup. The
Eagles got solid running from RB Brian Westbrook, who rushed for 141
yards on 20 carries and scored a touchdown and an efficient game by QB
Jeff Garcia, who went 17 of 31 for 153 yards and tossed a 28-yard
touchdown pass to WR Donte Stallworth. Yet despite their efforts, the
game came down to the foot of kicker David Akers. With the score tied
at 20 late in the game, Garcia led his team on nine plays to set up
the last of Akers' three field goals -- a 38-yard game-winning kick
with 3 seconds remaining on the clock. "Koy [Detmer] said, 'Those
posts look big, don't they?"' Akers said. "I said, 'Don't worry. We're
going to be celebrating in a minute."' With the victory, the Eagles
advance to the divisional playoffs where they will take on the Saints
on Saturday.
As winners of the NFC East in five of the past six
season, the Eagles are no strangers to the playoffs. No so for the
Saints, who are in the postseason for the first time since 2000. Even
their head coach is a rookie, but Sean Payton has been largely
credited for the Saints' turnaround from a 3-13 record in 2005,
earning him Coach of the Year honors. The Eagles come to New Orleans
after dispatching the Giants in the wild-card round with a last-second
David Akers kick. Philly was the victim of a game-winning kick when
the Saints knocked off the Eagles in Week 6.
