PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Lewis has more to worry about than a contract extension. It was the latest in a series of bad plays for Lewis this season. The fifth-year pro nearly cost the Eagles a week earlier against the Cowboys when he was beaten by Terry Glenn and committed a 57-yard pass-interference penalty that put the ball at the Eagles 6 in the final minute.
Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson was noncommittal when asked after the loss in New Orleans if Lewis would remain the starter. A day later, coach Andy Reid said a decision hadn't
''Sean is a good player. He's a good safety, he's played that position before, and he did a good job in practice,'' Johnson said. ''We decided to go with Sean and let Mike settle down a little bit.
Lewis' confidence is destroyed a little bit. But he's got to come back. He's got to play good for us.
We need him down the stretch.'' Lewis insisted his confidence isn't shaken, but he was clearly dejected after being yanked from the game. He said he's not distracted by his contract situation, but he's not the same player who went to the Pro Bowl two years ago.
''I'm confident every time I go out there,'' Lewis said. ''As a defensive back, you try not to give up plays, but every now and then it happens.'' Lewis is in the final season of a five-year contract he signed after being selected in the second round of the 2002 draft.
His agent and the Eagles previously discussed an extension, but talks weren't fruitful. Now a lucrative, long-term deal doesn't seem likely anytime soon. A hard hitter, Lewis is solid against the run.
But his problems in pass coverage may end up sending him to the sideline. ''I've given up plays in the same type of way. You take it hard,'' five-time Pro Bowl free safety Brian Dawkins said.
''But the thing about Mike, what he's going to have to do and what we'll do a good job of helping him do is help him erase that as soon as possible and get him back out there.'' Lewis moved into the starting lineup in the final month of his rookie season and has started 58 straight games. He's been a vital part of a once-feared secondary that includes Dawkins and cornerbacks Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.
Lewis had 88 tackles and one interception in 2004 when the Eagles went to the Super Bowl. He joined Dawkins and Sheppard in Hawaii after that season, and had a career-best 107 tackles last year. In the first six games this season, Lewis has two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble while making 25 tackles.
News RSS