2008 Previews: Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles had what was considered by many to be a disappointing season last year, finishing last in the NFC East with an 8-8 record. However, the true story of their season could have been far different appears to be one of bad luck. 5 of their defeats came by 8 points or fewer (2 of which came without start quarterback Donovan McNabb). McNabb is hoping to enter the 2008 season fully fit after being rushed back from an ACL injury for 2007 which had an adverse effect on his performance.

The Eagles will strive to rise to the top of the NFC once again this year, and they have every
reason to be optimistic with a fit McNabb and Brian Westbrook in the backfield.

Andy Reid

Reid enters his ninth full season in charge of the Eagles hoping to build on the success of previous years that has seen him emerge as one of the best coaches in Eagles history. His 96 wins, .608 win percentage, and 8 postseason wins rank him as the best - and 4 NFC Championship games in that timespan speaks volumes for the way he has moulded this team. But the one thing missing from his resumé is that Superbowl ring, and he will see this season as another opportunity given the talent at his fingertips.

Reid is in an exclusive number of 2 (with Bill Belichick) NFL coaches who have the power of being in charge of player transactions. Whilst Tom Heckert also has a say, Reid ultimately makes the final call - and he was at the heart of the move to bring in Terrell Owens in 2004, as well as drafting McNabb in 1999. He is a consumate man-manager, and has the ability to bring the best out of what he is given; he has sent 19 players to the Pro Bowl, none of whom had previously gone to Hawaii.

Draft Class of 2008

2 - Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
2 - DeSean Jackson, WR, California
3 - Bryan Smith, LB, McNeese State
4 - Mike McGlynn, T, Pittsburgh
4 - Quintin Demps, DB, Texas-El-Paso
4 - Jake Ikegwuonu, DB, Wisconsin
6 - Mike Gibson, T, California
6 - Joe Mays, LB, North Dakota State
6 - Andy Studebaker, LB, Wheaton
7 - King Dunlap, T, Auburn

Most critics felt the draft went well for the Eagles, who crucially picked up the playmaking receiver McNabb had asked for in DeSean Jackson. Trevor Laws will certainly help on the defensive side of the ball in the Eagles 4-3 defence, and Mike McGlynn's impressive Senior Bowl bodes well for him as a potential replacement for the aging William Thomas. They also acquired an extra 1st round pick for the 2009 draft.

Strong Side

The obvious strength for the Eagles should come from quarterback Donovan McNabb. Despite battling yet more injuries last season he threw for the best completion percentage of his career, going past the 3,000 yard barrier in the process. McNabb has managed to adapt his game to deal with his lessening mobility and remains one of the best QBs in the league. Unfortunately for him, his number one receiver is going to miss the start of the season with a sports hernia. Kevin Curtis caught for over 1,000 yards last year and his absence will be a blow. Tight End L.J. Smith, who signed as a Franchise Player in the off season, will have to pick up some of the slack. Running Back Brian Westbrook will undoubtedly deliver on the ground, and he could form a dangerous partnership with the recently acquired Lorenzo Booker.

Defensively the Eagles have a strong look about them also. Despite losing Jevon Kearse and Takeo Spikes, Andy Reid has brought in the excellent Asante Samuel and Chris Clemons to fill the voids, with youngsters such as Trevor Laws hoping to make an impact as well.

Weak Side

Like the other teams in the NFC East, the Eagles have no glaring weaknesses. The only real question marks hanging over them involve injuries - can McNabb and Smith remain fit for 16 games and the playoffs? If they can, the Eagles can expect to challenge not only for the Division but the Conference as well. Their ageing offensive line should stay together for another season, although once again a key injury or two there and Reid's men might struggle. Indeed, injury has already struck down receiver Kevin Curtis for a number of weeks, leaving the Eagles short of a WR to start the season.

Major Transactions

Ins

CB - Asante Samuel (NE)
DE - Chris Clemons (Oak)
FB - Dan Klecko (Ind)
LB - Rocky Boiman (Ind)
TE - Kris Wilson (KC)
RB - Lorenzo Booker(Mia)

Outs

DE - Jevon Kearse (Ten)
LB - Takeo Spikes (SF)

Schedule

1 Sun, Sep 7 St. Louis 1:00 PM Lincoln Financial Field
2 Mon, Sep 15 @ Dallas 8:30 PM Texas Stadium
3 Sun, Sep 21 Pittsburgh 4:15 PM Lincoln Financial Field
4 Sun, Sep 28 @ Chicago 8:15 PM Soldier Field
5 Sun, Oct 5 Washington 1:00 PM Lincoln Financial Field
6 Sun, Oct 12 @ San Francisco 4:15 PM Monster Park
7 BYE WEEK
8 Sun, Oct 26 Atlanta 1:00 PM Lincoln Financial Field
9 Sun, Nov 2 @ Seattle 4:15 PM Qwest Field
10 Sun, Nov 9 NY Giants 8:15 PM Lincoln Financial Field
11 Sun, Nov 16 @ Cincinnati 1:00 PM Paul Brown Stadium
12 Sun, Nov 23 @ Baltimore 1:00 PM M&T Bank Stadium
13 Thu, Nov 27 Arizona 8:15 PM Lincoln Financial Field
14 Sun, Dec 7 @ NY Giants 1:00 PM Giants Stadium
15 Mon, Dec 15 Cleveland 8:30 PM Lincoln Financial Field
16 Sun, Dec 21 @ Washington 1:00 PM FedEx Field
17 Sun, Dec 28 Dallas 1:00 PM Lincoln Financial Field

Wide-Right's View

The Eagles have been perennial contenders under Andy Reid, and that trend is not about to reverse now. 8-8 last year was disappointing, but it was clear that they were a handful of plays away from being 11-5. They look stronger this year, not least because McNabb appears to finally be fit again. Their schedule is also relatively kind, with road trips to the 49ers, Ravens, and Bengals all looking winnable on paper. But it could so easily turn into a repeat of last season's heartbreak. The lack of a true gamebreaker, especially at Receiver, means that their games are likely to be on a knife-edge, and it will take the extra effort to turn some of the losses into wins if they are to get into the postseason.

The season will hinge on the 6 Divisional match-ups starting with week 2 in Dallas, and ending with 3 of the last 4 games against fellow NFC East opposition. A positive record will surely give them a chance of superceding favourites Dallas for what would be their 6th divisional crown in 10 years.

Prediction for 2008

The Eagles will be as confident as any of the 4 teams in their division of reaching the play-offs, which will make 2008 one of the more interesting seasons of recent times in terms of the regular season battle. Outside of their divisional games, the Eagles appear to have a schedule that should provide them with enough wins to challenge for at least the Wild Card, and if they were to go 3-3 or 4-2 in the NFC East then you would expect to see the Eagles back in the postseason.

However, they are one of the few teams that does have questionmarks in vital positions, not least at quarterback, where the fitness of McNabb has been in doubt for the past 3 years. Combine that with the injury to Kevin Curtis and offensively Philadelphia could be without two key components to their offense. Injury-free, the Eagles should contend, but that would have been the case last season as well.

I would expect them to reach the play-offs, although the Wild Card is a more realistic route for them than winning the division.

Useful Links

Official Website
Depth Chart
Fansite