 |
| Search |
|
|
|
|
NFC East
It’s Sunday, February 1st, 2009, another Super Bowl is upon us.
The back-drop is Raymond James Stadium in lovely Tampa, Florida. Representing the NFC, the Eastern Division Champion, Philadelphia Eagles. Within a few hours, it will all be over as the Philadelphia Eagles hoist the Super Bowl trophy, for the first time in their storied history.
I’m not a gambling man; but, I may find my way to the Nevada desert this winter and if I do, then at 30 to 1 the Philadelphia Eagles look like a very good investment.
Chips Fall into Place
If the Eagles are to be the champions, then several things must occur between now and then.
1. The Eagles must resist the pressure to trade Donovan McNabb
McNabb’s injury history is well documented. A fractured ankle in 2002 sidelined him for six games down the stretch. In 2005, he played with a sports hernia for eight weeks before making a trip to the IR. A torn ACL in 2006, ended his season.
But, McNabb is a gamer. He plays hurt. Unless it’s a major injury, you’ll see him on the field every Sunday. Often times the Philly fanatics hate him for it - believing that his grit and determination somehow cost them a game and crying out for a healthy quarterback to take his place. Hear this Philadelphia…AJ Feely and Kevin Kolb are not the answer. One year removed from his ACL injury, Donovan McNabb will lead you to the promised land. And, you will love him for it!
It took all season for the aftershock of his 2006 knee injury to wear off. When it did McNabb rallied throwing for 272 yards per game over the final three contests with a 65% completion percentage; 5 touch downs and 1 interception.
2. The Eagles must solidify their passing game and re-sign LJ Smith
LJ Smith was injured throughout 2007 and he is an UFA this off-season. When he is right, he is the glue that holds the offense together. The west coast offense is based around the tight-end and his ability to convert third downs. The Eagles were 9th in the NFL in third down conversions at 42.4%; but, among the very best in the league when Smith was in uniform. When the field shortens, as it does inside the twenty yard line, it is the tight-end that must step up and make a play across the middle or in the flat. The Eagles were awful in the red zone in 2007 and a healthy LJ Smith fixes that problem.
The Eagles still need help at wide receiver. They got a career year from acquisition, Kevin Curtis, who caught 77 passes for 1,110 yards and 6 touch downs. Opposite him, Reggie Brown continued to struggle posting 61 receptions for 780 yards. It is imperative that the team find another wide receiver in the off-season. I’m guessing that most experts are suggesting a run at Bernard Berrian from the Chicago Bears, who is an unrestricted free agent.
I would suggest another route…Drew Carter, from the Carolina Panthers. Carter spent the early part of his career on IR with ACL and knee injuries; but, in 2007 he proved those injuries were behind him. At 6’3” 200 Lbs, Carter would stretch the field and give McNabb the red zone target he really needs. With 38 receptions for 517 yards and 4 touchdowns, the 26 year old should come at a reasonable price in free agency.
3. The Eagles must keep Brian Westbrook healthy
In 2007, Brian Westbrook became Philadelphia’s all-time single season leader in yards from scrimmage with 2,104 and receptions with 90. He posted an impressive 1,333 yards rushing with 7 touch downs and caught 5 additional touch downs. Since 2004, when he became the full-time starter, Westbrook has amassed 6,768 yards from scrimmage which is the 2nd most in the NFL.
Make no mistake…Westbrook is a star and when he is on the field, he can dominate a game. Big players step up in big games and Westbrook is no exception. He has the two longest rushing playoff touch downs in team history and has been a one-man wrecking crew against the hated New York Giants with 12 touch downs and 1,300+ yards in his past nine games against the G-men.
Westbrook is aging - he’ll be 29 in 2008. The three-some of Ryan Moats, Reno Mahe and Correll Buckhalter are unable to replace Westbrook when he is out of the line-up. Although Westbrook is signed through 2010, look for the team to take a really long look at Chris Johnson (RB - East Carolina) with the #19 pick in the 2008 Draft. If ever a Brian Westbrook clone existed in college, this kid is it. His 5’11” 195 Lbs virtually matches Westbrook and his 4.39 - 40 speed is electrifying!
Of course, keeping Westbrook healthy is the job of the offensive line. The Eagles have a good one: Jon Runyan (RT), Shawn Andrews (pro-bowl RG), Jammal Jackson (OC), Todd Herremans (LG) and William Thomas (LT). There is good depth behind them with Max Jean-Gilles (2008 Rookie - LG) and Winston Justice (LT). It may be Justice who takes over at LT in 2008. Despite a rough pro-début in which he gave up 6 sacks to the New York Giants, Justice is for real and has a strong future in Philadelphia.
The offense was solid in 2007: 21 points per game - 17th in the NFL; 123.4 rushing yards per game - 8th in the NFL and 243.7 yards passing per game - 10th in the NFL.
Take IT to the Bank
The Eagles wrapped up 2007 with three straight victories. Of their eight losses, five came by 4 points or less. Scan their current roster and they have at least 36 and possibly as many as 42 roster spots locked up for 2008. Only 1 key contributor is a free agent this off-season and there’s some room under the cap to land another free agent. There are two things you can take to the bank in 2008:
1. The defensive play will be even better than last year.
The defense was solid, giving up 215.6 passing yards per game - 18th in the NFL and a paltry 95.8 rushing yards per game - 7th in the NFL.
The Eagles have a strong line backing corps and a very stout front seven. So strong that injury prone Takeo Spikes (OLB), who should be back for another season, may end up a victim of the salary cap this off-season. If he is, then look for emerging playmaker Akeem Jordan to find the starting line-up. Jordan would join linebackers Stewart Bradley, Chris Gucong and Omar Gaither to form a young nucleus.
The defensive line includes run-stoppers Mike Patterson (DT) and Broderick Bunkley (DT) along with sack leader Trent Cole (12.5-sacks in 2007). The right defensive end remains a soft-spot with the team unlikely to retain either Jevon Kearse (DE) or Darren Howard (DE) this off-season. Look for the team to search out a pass rusher in the draft with Trevor Laws (DE- Notre Dame) getting consideration. But, it’s more unlikely that they will go this way early since Victor Abiamiri (DE) is already on the roster and should get a strong look.
Several key pieces of the secondary missed time in 2007. Lito Sheppard (CB) - as solid a shutdown cornerback as you will find - was hurt much of the year and Brian Dawkins (FS) also missed time. Sheldon Brown led the team in interceptions with 3 and the team must improve this number in 2008. With both Sheppard and Dawkins returning, players like Sean Considine and Quintin Mitchell will be able to serve as role players - positions for which they are better suited.
Look for the team to consider an addition or two to the secondary in free agency: the 26-year old, Gibril Wilson (FS) of the New York Giants would be a major up-grade and former-starting cornerback, Tory James, of the New England Patriots should garner interest.
2. The special teams play will improve dramatically
With injured starters returning to the line-up in 2008, the special teams will be back at full strength as players pressed into starting service in ‘07 move back to roles as special team stars.
It is unlikely that David Akers (XK) will go 2 of 10 from 40+ yards this year or hit field goals with a 75& accuracy rate. If he shows signs of that kind of effort, look for Andy Reid to bring another kicker in as a free agent to challenge the veteran.
Andy Reid made a personal visit to the Senior Bowl last week to visit with Leodis McKelvin (CB/KR - Troy State), who has great instincts and is a real gamer - the kind of tough, gritty player Reid cherishes. McKelvin is an exciting kick-return man and would add spark to the return game, which faltered in 2007. The Eagles went the full season without a kick or punt return for a touch down and averaged only 21.7 yards per kick return - 24th best in the NFL.
Ah yes…if I were a betting man, I’d bet that Leodis McKelvin ends up in Philadelphia and believe me when I say, “you’ll get great odds on McKelvin being the second player in Super Bowl history to return the opening kick-off for a touchdown”.
2008 Draft and Free Agency Needs
Wide Receiver: a player who can stretch the field to start opposite Kevin Curtis
Offensive Line Help: Reid always has his eyes open for offensive line talent
Defensive Backfield Help: more playmakers in the secondary are needed
Kick/Punt Return Specialist: hey, when you’re talented like the Eagles are, you can afford a luxury like this.
A Back-up Running Back: someone who can step in if Brian Westbrook goes down and carry the load for the team.
EFSports Fantasy Football
© Copyright 2003 by EFSNews.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
NFC East
Latest Headlines
|
|