PHILADELPHIA -- What the Philadelphia Eagles should welcome most about Sunday's demolition of Pittsburgh was all the help that arrived from unexpected sources.
There were Correll Buckhalter and Hank Baskett. Dan Klecko. Max Jean-Gilles. Heck, even punter Sav Rocca drew another attaboy from coach Andy Reid at Monday's news conference.
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| A nonfactor for the Eagles last season, Darren Howard rededicated himself to his craft. (Getty Images) |
I'm talking about Darren Howard, who is quietly rebuilding his reputation as a valuable defensive lineman and an invaluable part of an Eagles rotation that disrupted Pittsburgh's offense by sacking its quarterbacks nine times.
Six months ago I would've guessed that Howard wouldn't be here; that the Eagles, who signed free agent Chris Clemons in March, would've moved on without him -- in effect, admitting they missed when they spent millions to lure Howard away from New Orleans in 2006.
But somehow, some way, he beat the odds and stuck ... and the Eagles should be grateful.
So he's not starting. He is making a difference, and rewind the videotape to that safety of Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday to see how. As the Steelers quarterback retreats to pass, Howard -- playing at the right defensive tackle spot -- fights through a double team and collapses the pocket.
Forced to flee, Roethlisberger scrambles left ... and into the arms of defensive end Trent Cole. Rather than take a sack in the end zone, Roethlisberger shifts the ball from his left hand to his right, desperately tries to throw as he is tackled and is called for intentional grounding.
Two points, Philadelphia.
Afterward, Cole is asked about the play and how it seemed to solidify a Philadelphia victory. But it wasn't Trent Cole who pressured Roethlisberger; it was Darren Howard, fighting through a blocker (guard Chris Kemoeatu) nearly 100 pounds heavier to push Big Ben into Cole's path.
You didn't see that a year ago. In fact, you didn't see much of anything a year ago. Slowed by nagging injuries, Howard played little and produced less. His 10 tackles not only were the fewest of his career, they ranked 19th among the Eagles -- and seemed to signal the beginning of the end for him in Philadelphia.
I remember talking to coach Andy Reid at the February scouting combine and asking him what, if anything, he could gain from Howard at this stage of his career. Reid wasn't sure, but he did say he didn't want to give up on him.
"I still think he can be a factor," he said.
