PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : Cunningham Gets Chance, Flubs It

It was a perfect opportunity for Randall Cunningham to make one last appeal to remain with the Philadelphia Eagles.

But it turned into a three-quarter illustration of the reason team officials feel he must leave.

Cunningham took over for Rodney Peete in the second quarter of Sunday’s 30-11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC divisional playoff game. Peete suffered a concussion when he was kicked in the head on a three-yard run at the end of the first quarter.

Instead of vindicating himself after a season on the bench, Cunningham only looked silly in completing 11 of 26 passes for only 161 yards with one interception.

The Eagles were forced to change many of their plays because Cunningham has never grasped the West Coast offense.

They were forced to simplify other plays because Cunningham missed three of the team’s four practices this week because he spent extra time with his wife, who was giving birth to a son.

The birth of Randall Jr., occurred Wednesday evening, so officials felt Cunningham could have at least returned to their Vero Beach, Fla., practice site in time for Friday’s practice.

But he didn’t show up until Saturday, arousing ire in many of his teammates.

He is a free agent, and will be allowed to walk.

*

Not that the Eagles, who could win the NFC East next season with the right moves, plan to keep Peete as their starter.

Look for them to pursue several free-agent quarterbacks, among them Dave Brown and Neil O’Donnell.

Look for them to attempt to improve at wide receiver through the draft, eventually ridding themselves of Fred Barnett or Calvin Williams.

And look for changes on the offensive line, where they have been hurt by injury and drug suspension.

But also look for them to improve on their 10-6 record as other top hard-nosed free agents ask to play for Coach of the Year Ray Rhodes.

*

The day got off to a great start for Charlie Garner, the Eagles’ rather bizarre running back.

Before the opening kickoff, he ran into the Cowboy huddle and screamed at them.

Then he ran to the wrong end of the field.

Then he muffed the kick.

Garner, who combined with Ricky Watters to gain 1,861 yards this year--they are the league’s top rushing duo--gained only 13 yards in five attempts. Watters gained 39 yards in 13 attempts.

*

The Green Bay Packers could not have been displeased to see Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin appear out of sync.

The Cowboy quarterback and top receiver connected on only one play Sunday, a nine-yard touchdown pass, while Irvin dropped a couple of other passes.

In his last four games, Irvin has only caught 14 passes for 221 yards, an average of about four catches for 55 yards each game, far below his averages during this Pro Bowl season. Again on Sunday, he appeared to be tiring after an exceptionally physical season, and could be knocked around by an aggressive cornerback such as the Eagles’ Bobby Taylor.

Or the Packers’ Vince Newsome?