Eagles: Wayne plays big role in defense’s success
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
The Daily Times
NEIL GEOGHEGAN , Special to The Times 12/03/2003
PHILADELPHIA -- Nate Wayne may not have the numbers of the man he replaced in the Eagles’ lineup, but the outside linebacker is making a big impact on a weekly basis nowadays.
Sunday, the six-year veteran had several game-altering plays, including a crucial forced fumble that led to one of Philadelphia’s two touchdowns in a 25-16 victory over the playoff-bound Carolina Panthers.
"Somebody has to make the play no matter who it is," Wayne said.
Wayne finished with six tackles, including his third sack of the season. His predecessor, Shawn Barber, may be having a Pro Bowl season in Kansas City, but Wayne is an integral part of a defense that is dynamite when the opposing offense gets into the red zone.
"When a team gets into scoring position, we go into a different gear," Wayne said. "We have a different mindset. We’re thinking whatever happens, they aren't getting into the end zone.
"We want to stop them by any means necessary. We did something to let them get down there and somebody has to make a play."
Lately, Wayne is making more than his fair share. A week earlier, Wayne forced a New Orleans fumble that set up a touchdown in Philadelphia’s 33-20 win over the Saints. He is second on the team with 99 tackles and leads the team in tackles for loss (five) and forced fumbles (three). In Green Bay Nov. 10, Wayne made a memorable one-handed interception against his former team, and returned it 33 yards.
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It was the last play of a game already decided, but the Panthers’ last-gasp effort to score a touchdown and, perhaps, save some face was certainly entertaining.
Trailing by nine with 18 seconds remaining, Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme started the play but got the football back two more times during a wild, lateral-filled routine. In all, seven different players got their hands on the football, including offensive linemen Jordan Gross, Kevin Donnally and Todd Steussie.
By the time the clock expired, running back Nick Goings crossed the goal line with the ball -- but the play did not stand as Donnally was whistled for an illegal forward pass to teammate Ricky Proehl.
"It was one of the weirdest plays I’ve ever seen," said linebacker Ike Reese, who then referenced the wacky finish to the infamous Stanford-California game two decades ago. "I was waiting for the band to come out on the field."
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Remember all those yellow flags Nov. 23 when the Eagles played host to the New Orleans Saints? Well, even though 32 penalties were assessed (and 26 accepted) for a mind-boggling 272 yards, it wasn’t even the most referee Walt Anderson’s crew dole out this season. They assessed 33 in Week 2 when Carolina edged Tampa Bay 12-9 in overtime.
In fact, Anderson’s crew has the highest average for penalties per game at 18.6. The group has whistled 10 or more infractions in every game it has worked this season.
©The Daily Times 2003
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