SPORTS WEEKEND : AROUND THE NFC : EAST : Defense Rests Too Much

The Cardinals were going to be this year’s darlings after sneaking into the playoffs last year. But then the Cardinals gave up 139 points in the exhibition season--a league worst.

“I don’t think we’ve let anything slip away at this point,” Coach Vince Tobin said. “We’re at the same place as everybody else in the league, 0-0.”

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In four years with the Cowboys, wide receiver Alvin Harper never caught more than 36 passes a season. But he made big catches, which allowed Michael Irvin more freedom on the other side of the field. When Harper left as a free agent, the Cowboys failed to find a replacement for him in Anthony Miller or Billy Davis, but they’re paying Rocket Ismail $21 million for six years to give it a try.

“The other guys didn’t force defenses to change their schemes, but they’re going to have to do it with Rocket,” Irvin said.

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The future for Philadelphia rides on Donovan McNabb, so why are the Eagles starting Doug Pederson, who has thrown 32 NFL passes and who failed to lead the team to a touchdown in the exhibition season?

Hey, it’s Philadelphia--who cares?