MONDAY NIGHT RECAP: WE'LL GARCIA LATER, CAROLINA

The game looked so good back in August. Two Super Bowl favorites facing off in a possibly playoff preview. However, four months later and reality and injuries set in. This game was far from a showdown between the NFC's best, but instead it was a battle between two teams desperate for a win in the mediocre NFC. These two teams had become as inconsistent as the Denver Broncos running game. Carolina was dealing with the decline of their once star QB Jake Delhomme, while Philadelphia was trying to recover after the team was left in shambles following the Donovan McNabb season ending injury. This game wasn't going to be decided by Brian Westbrook or Julius Peppers. No, instead some one needed to step up and emerge as a leader. Some one saw his opportunity and seized it. That some one was Jeff Garcia.

It's been steep downfall from stardom since those days in San Francisco for Jeff Garcia. He was once a three time Pro Bowler, who was poised to be next in succession in the Joe Montana and Steve Young 49er QB pantheon. However, trouble arose in San Francisco and Garcia bounced around from Cleveland to Detroit and finally landed in Philadelphia where he would no longer be a starter. Then as the city of Philadelphia went from roaring to dead in the time it took for an ACL to tear, Garcia was thrusted into the center of one of the most unforgiving cities in the world. Midway through the game on Monday Night, after the offense sputtered on every possession, the fans called for third string QB AJ Feely. Maybe Garcia was washed up. It has been four years since he put up those Pro Bowl numbers. However, as quickly the doubters came, they were even quicker pushed away. 312 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 win later something had returned to Philadelphia that had been gone for weeks. Hope.

Jake Delhomme- If Delhomme was looking to silence his critics, he did. Well until the last play he did. Delhomme seemed to be on his game for the first time in week as he threw for 269 yards and 3 TDs. However, with Carolina down 3 he led them all the way down to the 5 yard with 30 seconds remaining. It was then that Delhomme threw his second INT of the game, which ended all hope if a win. It was the right play call, but Delhomme made an awful throw over the head of Keyshawn Johnson and into the hands of Lito Sheppard. It looks very doubtful right now that Delhomme will be consistent enough to lead the Panthers or a fantasy team to the promised land.

DeAngelo Williams- Lost in the misery of another defeat was the breakout game by rookie DeAngelo Williams. Filling in once again for the injured DeShaun Foster, Williams finished with 175 total yards of offense and a score. He was a huge threat in the passing game as he topped 100 yards, and made some dazzling moves after the catch. If Foster remains out, Williams is a terrific option, but Foster should be back next week which means that Williams will have a reduced role from what he currently has. Either way he is one of the more promising players for the future.

Steve Smith- For the second straight week, Smith was not as explosive in the passing game as earlier in the season. He finished with only 4 catches for 54 yards and a TD. The Eagles were able to get a lot of pressure on Delhomme which prevented him from finding Smith. It's likely that Smith will bounce back next week against the Giants, who he tore up in the playoffs last season.

Jeff Garcia- As mentioned above, Garcia had a terrific day as he led the Eagles to a come from behind victory. The 312 yards passing and 3 TDs made him the top QB this week in fantasy. He's looked very accurate so far as shown by his 0 interceptions thus far. The Eagles face Washington, New York, and Dallas next all on the road. Look for Garcia to play well next week and then be average the rest of the way.

Brian Westbrook- The Eagles RB actually had his lowest total yardage since week 8, but he still was an obvious threat the entire game. The Panthers paid attention to him more than any other player which accounted for his somewhat weak day. He did manage to score a TD against Carolina. Westbrook has a pretty decent schedule ahead, and he will continue to be the focal point of the Eagles offense. He should set career highs in all major offensive categories this season.

Donte' Stallworth- When Garcia initially took over, it appeared like the deep passing game was going to suffer. This was the case in his first start, but against Carolina that trend reversed. Stalloworth was a huge weapon as he has 4 catches for 111 yards and a TD. His value the rest of the way hinges on if Garcia can keep this up. He's going to be a solid WR the rest of the way.

-David Cassilo
Contact at asuhouse@aol.com