Eagles Notebook: Celek advises teammates to not waste chance

Philadelphia Eagles’ Brent Celek, right, tries to leap past New Orleans Saints’ Delvin Breaux during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Brent Celek, right, tries to leap past New Orleans Saints’ Delvin Breaux during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Philadelphia. Michael Perez — The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA >> The last player to celebrate an Eagles playoff victory had one of his best games in a postseason loss that year.

That old timer would be Brent Celek, the veteran in his 11th season who turns 33 later this month.

Celek caught a touchdown pass in the Eagles’ 23-11 divisional playoff win over the New York Giants on Jan. 11, 2009. He was 23.

The ride ended the following week in the NFC title game, the Eagles blowing a late lead in a 32-25 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

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“That season we had a great opportunity,” Celek said. “I remember, five minutes to go, man, we were winning. And then Kurt Warner drove on us and beat us. It was a great opportunity that we had, and we didn’t take advantage of it.”

Celek did his part for the Eagles in the conference title game, the tight end grabbing 10 passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns. It’s the only multiple-touchdown game of his career.

What Celek and several Eagles veterans have tried to relay to their younger teammates is that playoff appearances are to be cherished. Now primarily a blocking tight end, Celek started 10 of 16 games this season, catching 13 balls for 130 yards and one TD.

“There’s another one in front of us,” Celek said. “They don’t come very often. We’ve got to take advantage of it. We’re ready. I think this week off has been good for us, too, because we got to go out there, play against each other, go full speed, get our legs back, feel good.

“We don’t have any excuses. We’re ready to go.”

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NOTES >> Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday. Ellerbe had been hampered by a sore hamstring, the same type of issue that limited cornerback Sidney Jones Tuesday. Everyone else was full practice ahead. ... Falcons’ leading receiver Julio Jones sat out Atlanta’s Wednesday practice with an ankle injury. Limited at practice were running back Devonta Freeman (knee), linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (knee) and wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (knee). Back to work was quarterback Matt Ryan, who was excused from practice Tuesday for personal reasons. The product of Exton and wife are expecting twins. Ryan has a passer rating of at least 100 in five straight playoff games, tied with Joe Flacco (2012-14) and Troy Aikman (1992-93) for the second-longest streak in NFL history. Only Joe Montana has a longer streak, as he had a rating of 100 or more from 1988-90.