PHILADELPHIA — Standing in the way of Jason Pierre-Paul and a clear path to Michael Vick Sunday night is Demetress Bell, a fill-in left tackle brought in to start for the Eagles, but beaten out in training camp by King Dunlap.
Bell made his first start for the Eagles in last week’s 27-6 loss to the Cardinals and will again fill in for Dunlap, who will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. The Eagles signed Bell to a five-year, $34.5 million contract to replace injured Jason Peters, but only $3.15 million of Bell’s contract is guaranteed. Bell started 30 games at left tackle in four years with the Bills.
The left tackle is not the blind-side protector for the Eagles because Vick is a left-handed quarterback. Rushing from the left side, Justin Tuck is looking for his first sack of the season going against right tackle Todd Herremans.
“I think Vick is the guy you think of when you think ‘mobile quarterback’ because he can be a game-changer as far as beating you with his feet,’’ Tuck said. “Obviously everyone knows how strong his arm is but when you talk about a mobile quarterback he is the guy that pops in your head first.’’
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WR Hakeem Nicks did not make the trip and will miss his second straight game, this one because of swelling in his left knee. Domenik Hixon, coming off a concussion that kept him out last week in Carolina, and Ramses Barden will replace Nicks as Eli Manning’s wide-receiver targets after Victor Cruz.
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Safety Kenny Phillips predicts CB Corey Webster will get an interception, though Webster will play wearing a protective wrap on his broken right hand.
“I told him I think he’s gonna pick one off, even with the cast just because he’s that type of player,’’ Phillips said. “I just feel it this week just because he has the cast on so people might try to take a shot at him. I think he’s gonna make a play for us.’’
Webster has one of the Giants’ six interceptions this season. Tackling will be a challenge for him, but defensive coordinator Perry Fewell doesn’t want to see Webster use more of his shoulder to bring an Eagle to the ground.
“He better not,’’ Fewell said. “He better go knock the hell out of the guy.’’
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A matchup to watch: Cruz lining up in the slot going against CB Brandon Boykin, a rookie fourth-round pick from Georgia.
“That’s what they do … they do that against everybody so we understand that,’’ Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “He’s one of the best slot players in the league and so you honor that and you get yourself ready to play against that.”
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Giants coach Tom Coughlin and Reid face each other for the 18th time, tying them for the most meeting by two active head coaches. … The Eagles will honor former safety Brian Dawkins at halftime by retiring his No. 20.