Eagles head coach Andy Reid closed training camp at Lehigh this week and is taking his squad the rest of the way across Pennsylvania for a preseason matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reid said that he planned for the starters to play a full half this week, however it's worth noting that they were scheduled to play a quarter last week and only ended up being in for one series.
Reid said he's happy to get his team on the road to test against a Superbowl quality opponent.
"Well there are a couple things you get out of this, and I think it's important that you get this work in. Number one, you're on the road in a stadium where they love football, so there's going to be a little bit of noise, and so you need that work. Two you're playing a Super Bowl team, a Super Bowl caliber team, last year obviously in the Super Bowl. So it allows you to get good work against the best, and I welcome that."
As for injuries, right tackles Winston Justice and Ryan Harris are both out for this week so King Dunlap gets the start protecting Michael Vick's backside. Reid does expect to get Harris back next week and said that Justice could return to practice as well.
As for the season, Andy says as always his expectations are high.
"We always have high expectations every year and that's why we come into this. And this is no different that way. We're coming in and we expect to win football games and that's how we go about it. There are people that will ask what do you think your record's going to be. Well, as a coach and as a player you have to come in right from the line every stinkin' game. You can't sit there and predict which ones you're going to win and you're going to lose. You're coming in thinking that you're going to win and that's how you go about your business. So with that, the expectation is always high."