I am NOT HAPPY about this:
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January 24, 2005
By BOB KENT
Tight end Chad Lewis, one of the many heroes in Sunday's conference title game win, will be sidelined for the Super Bowl because of a Lis Franc sprain of his foot.
Lewis, who sustained the injury on his fourth-quarter touchdown catch, will undergo surgery on Wednesday.
"He initially thought somebody fell on it; he twisted it as he went up for the ball," head coach Andy Reid explained Monday. "He was struggling to get off the field and then he told me, 'I think I broke my foot.' He said, 'I felt something pop.' "
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</TD></TR><TR><TD class=V1>TE Chad Lewis </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The timing couldn't be worse for Lewis, who survived two trips to the waiver wire and evolved into a playmaking force and three-time Pro Bowl player. The seven-year veteran is also scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
"He was crushed. You sure don't like to see that happen to a veteran player that waited his whole career to get to this thing," Reid said. "He'll survive through it. He'll be down there supporting us, doing everything he can from the sideline."
For his part, Lewis said on Monday afternoon that he was just pleased to be a contributor in the Eagles' run to the Super Bowl. He was outstanding on Sunday. By Monday, his left foot was in a boot and he was on crutches.
"I knew I was hurt as soon as it happened," said Lewis. "That's why I sat down on my butt and celebrated. I didn't feel like getting up. And then when I got up, L.J. (Smith) came over to me and the first thing I said to L.J. was 'I just broke my foot.' "
So is this trip to the Super Bowl bittersweet for Lewis? He'll be there, but he won't be in uniform.
"Howie Long, I think, said 'The thrill of the kill is second to the challenge of the chase.' Just having a small part in helping the Eagles win the NFC Championship Game is gratification enough. That meant so much to me. This is the last year of my contract. Who knows if I'll ever play football for the Eagles again? Going into the game knowing that might be my last game, that was so great to be able to contribute and help and put it on the line.
"I've never cared a second how many catches I get. But as a player, when you make some catches, it's so fun. I had a blast. Starting from the pre-game, where Timmy (Kelly) sang the National Anthem, I was screaming on the sidelines. And I never do that. I always just conserve my energy and lay low.
"I was screaming and yelling, screaming at the crowd. I just felt so much energy. It was one of those nights. I loved it. So when it (injury) happened, I just said, 'It's meant to be.' "
Lewis finished the regular season with 267 yards and three touchdowns on 29 receptions. Lewis recorded all four of his postseason receptions in the win over Atlanta, including a career playoff-best two touchdowns.
With Lewis likely headed to the Injured Reserve list, Smith will move into the starting lineup and veteran tight end and long-snapper Mike Bartrum becomes the top backup.
Reid says he comfortable with Bartrum; however, he is reluctant to throw Bartrum into the fire on offense because of his role on special teams.
"I have full confidence in Michael," Reid said. "The only hesitation I put in there is that he's also our long snapper, and we just lost our second long-snapper (in Chad).
"Michael, I know can play the position. I'm not worried about that part. I've got to keep him healthy."
In the meantime, Reid acknowledged that he and his personnel staff will look into signing another tight end.
"We will keep our eyes open for another tight end," Reid said. "We're in the process of doing that right now."
Unfortunately, tight end Kori Dickerson, who has spent parts of the last three season with the Eagles, signed with the Redskins late in the 2004 season and is currently on Washington's roster.
The team had Rod Trafford on the practice squad earlier this season, but he was signed to Buffalo's active roster.
"The Kori Dickerson types are not available right now," Reid said. "I think there will be some people out there. We'll be okay. We'll find somebody." As for Lewis, Donovan McNabb said simply: "We're going to try and win it for Chad."
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=587 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=bottom><TD>Chad Out, Not Down, About Injury </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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January 24, 2005
By BOB KENT
Tight end Chad Lewis, one of the many heroes in Sunday's conference title game win, will be sidelined for the Super Bowl because of a Lis Franc sprain of his foot.
Lewis, who sustained the injury on his fourth-quarter touchdown catch, will undergo surgery on Wednesday.
"He initially thought somebody fell on it; he twisted it as he went up for the ball," head coach Andy Reid explained Monday. "He was struggling to get off the field and then he told me, 'I think I broke my foot.' He said, 'I felt something pop.' "
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"He was crushed. You sure don't like to see that happen to a veteran player that waited his whole career to get to this thing," Reid said. "He'll survive through it. He'll be down there supporting us, doing everything he can from the sideline."
For his part, Lewis said on Monday afternoon that he was just pleased to be a contributor in the Eagles' run to the Super Bowl. He was outstanding on Sunday. By Monday, his left foot was in a boot and he was on crutches.
"I knew I was hurt as soon as it happened," said Lewis. "That's why I sat down on my butt and celebrated. I didn't feel like getting up. And then when I got up, L.J. (Smith) came over to me and the first thing I said to L.J. was 'I just broke my foot.' "
So is this trip to the Super Bowl bittersweet for Lewis? He'll be there, but he won't be in uniform.
"Howie Long, I think, said 'The thrill of the kill is second to the challenge of the chase.' Just having a small part in helping the Eagles win the NFC Championship Game is gratification enough. That meant so much to me. This is the last year of my contract. Who knows if I'll ever play football for the Eagles again? Going into the game knowing that might be my last game, that was so great to be able to contribute and help and put it on the line.
"I've never cared a second how many catches I get. But as a player, when you make some catches, it's so fun. I had a blast. Starting from the pre-game, where Timmy (Kelly) sang the National Anthem, I was screaming on the sidelines. And I never do that. I always just conserve my energy and lay low.
"I was screaming and yelling, screaming at the crowd. I just felt so much energy. It was one of those nights. I loved it. So when it (injury) happened, I just said, 'It's meant to be.' "
Lewis finished the regular season with 267 yards and three touchdowns on 29 receptions. Lewis recorded all four of his postseason receptions in the win over Atlanta, including a career playoff-best two touchdowns.
With Lewis likely headed to the Injured Reserve list, Smith will move into the starting lineup and veteran tight end and long-snapper Mike Bartrum becomes the top backup.
Reid says he comfortable with Bartrum; however, he is reluctant to throw Bartrum into the fire on offense because of his role on special teams.
"I have full confidence in Michael," Reid said. "The only hesitation I put in there is that he's also our long snapper, and we just lost our second long-snapper (in Chad).
"Michael, I know can play the position. I'm not worried about that part. I've got to keep him healthy."
In the meantime, Reid acknowledged that he and his personnel staff will look into signing another tight end.
"We will keep our eyes open for another tight end," Reid said. "We're in the process of doing that right now."
Unfortunately, tight end Kori Dickerson, who has spent parts of the last three season with the Eagles, signed with the Redskins late in the 2004 season and is currently on Washington's roster.
The team had Rod Trafford on the practice squad earlier this season, but he was signed to Buffalo's active roster.
"The Kori Dickerson types are not available right now," Reid said. "I think there will be some people out there. We'll be okay. We'll find somebody." As for Lewis, Donovan McNabb said simply: "We're going to try and win it for Chad."
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. You were defending the Peelers so I thought I'd remind you of who the best team is in the state of Pennsylvania this year. 
