The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - Wendell Davis was running a deep pattern for the Bears in a game against the Eagles 10 years ago when he suddenly fell to the ground, writhing in pain.

Davis tore the patella tendons in both knees on the same play, the most infamous of the injuries suffered on the concrete-like turf at Veterans Stadium.

The Eagles have a plush new stadium now, Lincoln Financial Field, and it includes a more forgiving Kentucky bluegrass surface, among many other exceptional features.

But even though it is an enormous improvement over the Vet, it could cost the Eagles some of their home-field advantage.

Opposing players hated playing on the Vet's surface even more than they despised playing before Philadelphia's hostile fans. Some Eagles fear the Linc won't be as intimidating.

"I think that automatic psychological advantage might not be there like with the Vet because you don't have to worry about the field, the turf and all those types of things," Eagles linebacker Ike Reese said.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be the first opponent to test the Linc when they play the Eagles tonight in a rematch of last season's NFC championship game. The Super Bowl champion Bucs closed out the Vet with a stunning 27-10 victory, and are eager to christen the Linc in similar fashion.

"The best thing was hearing that crowd go silent," Bucs tackle Kenyatta Walker said. "But this year it's a whole different game. It's definitely going to be loud again; it may even be louder than it was before."

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