Eagles Notebook: Foles to start again; Curry set for NFL debut

Nick Foles will make his second straight start at quarterback when the Eagles host the Carolina Panthers Monday night at the Linc. Barring any major improvement in Mike Vick’s condition, of course. Vick — when healthy — is the starter, according to coach Andy Reid.

Some had hoped Foles might be the savior for this sinking Eagles team, but the rookie chucked interceptions on two of his first 10 passes last week in Washington. Foles, playing behind a porous offensive line, has watched a lot of tape from that one and intends to correct his mistakes.

“There is a lot to learn from that game,” Foles said Wednesday. “You can’t have turnovers, I missed some throws that you need to hit, accuracy, and just keeping the rhythm of the game. Hopefully, I can take that, learn from it and move forward.”

Meanwhile, Reid said that running back LeSean McCoy is still suffering headaches and is stuck in phase one of his concussion testing. (The same goes for Vick, although he is much closer to phase two than McCoy). Rookie Bryce Brown will start in McCoy’s absence, something Brown hasn’t done since high school in 2009.

“I’ve had a tough road, I’ve worked hard and I’ve continued to work,” Brown said. “Like I said, I’m excited and can’t wait to go.”

In other lineup news, newcomer Jake Scott will stay at right guard. Scott was inserted minutes before kickoff last week after Reid determined Danny Watkins’ injured ankle wasn’t sturdy enough. Watkins received treatment Wednesday, but confirmed that his ankle still felt “rusty.”

Curry unleashed

Rookie defensive end Vinny Curry will be active for the first time this season. Curry, who many considered a second-round steal in the draft, hasn’t been able to crack Jim Washburn’s defensive line rotation until now. Curry said the news was confirmed to him Wednesday morning in the film room.

“Let’s go! I can’t wait till Monday, that’s basically what it is,” Curry said. “I’m not going to approach it like anything special. I’m going to continue to get better, doing what I’ve been doing, going out early and being the best teammate I can be, and compete.”

Curry, who grew up an Eagles fan in Neptune, NJ, said he didn’t invite any family or friends to Monday’s game. He’s trying to keep it as low key as possible.

“They’ll be watching from TV. I didn’t really tell anyone, just trying to get this monkey off my back,” Curry said.

He isn’t sure how many snaps he’ll actually see, but Washburn has been working him in with the starting defensive line rotation in practice.

Maclin staying the course

Jeremy Maclin went without a catch last Sunday for the first time this season. Not to mention the Eagles played a crucial third down without him, along with LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson, even on the field. Maclin laughed off concerns over a diminished role in the offense.

“That’s just how it happened,” Maclin said. “Yes, there were plays where I felt like I could have gotten the ball, but what receiver doesn’t feel like they can get the ball throughout the course of the game?”

Maclin also understands what is at stake as this season continues to spiral out of control. His head coach might be fired. Some teammates might be released. It’s all part of the business side of the NFL, a side that some fans might not totally get.

“I love the fans of Philadelphia, I absolutely do,” Maclin said. “The majority of them are awesome fans, but there are some people out there that don’t really understand what exactly goes on. Us, as players, I understand the ins and outs of the business. I understand what’s at stake. I understand as far as what happens this season, as far as changes up and down the list, I understand that. But the minute you get caught in that, the minute it goes downhill. All that stuff comes from upstairs, so we can’t get caught in it.”