If Kurt Warner's potential ascension to the starting role in Arizona is set to be the shock of the pre-season, then the revelation that the Falcons are about ready to thrust Matt Ryan into the mix should surprise nobody.
When the Falcons drafted Ryan, we liked it. He has the arm, he has the physical talent, and most of all, he's an intelligent guy who just does not feel pressure. It would be easy to hold Ryan out while the team inevitably loses this season, but we doubt that's what Ryan actually wants. The guy is ready to lead his franchise, in the same way the Peyton Manning knew he was ready to lead the Colts.
The baptism will be harsh, but 'Matty Ice' is ready for it. He does not 'want' to win per sé, but the advantage to having a guy with Ryan's temperament on the field is that when the chips are down, he will not change his demeanour, nor will he get frustrated to the point where he lets it affect his game.
All in all, we meant to write this gushing praise earlier in the day, but the various injuries got in the way. Now that he has been named starter, it seems an appropriate time to say 'we would have told you so, if only you'd asked'.
Sunday 24 August 2008
Bad news for Osi.
The defending Superbowl champions were prepared to lose one Defensive End this season - but news is breaking that the New York Giants may have lost another, at least for the 2008 season.
DE Osi Umenyiora, who had 13 sacks last season, left Saturday's pre-season game against the Jets with a knee injury, and the Star-Ledger is reporting that an MRI has shown that Osi has suffered 'serious ligament damage', and that he is out for the 2008 season.
The loss is a huge blow for a team that was counting on Umenyiora and fellow DE Justin Tuck to fill the void left by Michael Strahan's retirement. The team's pass rushing last season helped to neutralise the poor secondary play that the Giants have become synonymous with.
Without Umenyiora, the Giants could struggle up front, and if they struggle up front, you can bet your money on them struggling everywhere else, too.
DE Osi Umenyiora, who had 13 sacks last season, left Saturday's pre-season game against the Jets with a knee injury, and the Star-Ledger is reporting that an MRI has shown that Osi has suffered 'serious ligament damage', and that he is out for the 2008 season.
The loss is a huge blow for a team that was counting on Umenyiora and fellow DE Justin Tuck to fill the void left by Michael Strahan's retirement. The team's pass rushing last season helped to neutralise the poor secondary play that the Giants have become synonymous with.
Without Umenyiora, the Giants could struggle up front, and if they struggle up front, you can bet your money on them struggling everywhere else, too.
Taylor out 2 weeks
When Jason Taylor left the Washington Redskins' debacle against Carolina on Saturday night, 'Skins fans could be forgiven for wondering if the team would ever have a pass rush again. Taylor hobbled off midway through the second quarter after his knee twisted awkwardly whilst at the bottom of a pile of bodies during a DeAngelo Williams run.
Fortunately for Taylor, it does not appear to be a serious injury - although the knee sprain that he has suffered could preclude him from starting the team's regular season opener against the Giants a week on Thursday.
Taylor is unlikely to attend any form of dancing class in that time. Just so that 'Skins fans can breathe slightly easier.
Fortunately for Taylor, it does not appear to be a serious injury - although the knee sprain that he has suffered could preclude him from starting the team's regular season opener against the Giants a week on Thursday.
Taylor is unlikely to attend any form of dancing class in that time. Just so that 'Skins fans can breathe slightly easier.
Cardinals to name Warner Starter - Reports
ESPN.com's Chris Mortensen is reporting that the Cards are set to name Kurt Warner as their Starting Quarterback for the 2008 season. The move follows Leinart's abysmal game last night against Oakland, in which he went 4/12 with 3 interceptions and a passer rating of just 2.8.
As the 10th pick in the 2006 draft, Leinart still has time, and if anything the move is not just an indication of his own struggles, but more that Warner still clearly has the ability to play at a high level. Having said that, it is hardly a ringing endorsement of Leinart as a 'Franchise Quarterback' if and when Warner leaves Arizona.
The window is closing on the team's playoff aspirations with the elite offensive weapons that they have, and it is possible that the move is partly an effort to convince wantaway Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin that the team is trying to win this year, in an attempt to persuade him to spend at least this year in Arizona.
As the 10th pick in the 2006 draft, Leinart still has time, and if anything the move is not just an indication of his own struggles, but more that Warner still clearly has the ability to play at a high level. Having said that, it is hardly a ringing endorsement of Leinart as a 'Franchise Quarterback' if and when Warner leaves Arizona.
The window is closing on the team's playoff aspirations with the elite offensive weapons that they have, and it is possible that the move is partly an effort to convince wantaway Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin that the team is trying to win this year, in an attempt to persuade him to spend at least this year in Arizona.
Losers from Pre-Season week 3
Earlier we gave you the Winners, and now it's time to address the players and teams that have work to do as we approach the final week of pre-season.
The Cincinnati Bengals
After a tumultuous off-season, that almost saw the team lose their three best receivers for various reasons, perhaps it should be no great surprise that the Bengals are struggling to get started this year. On the other hand, being statistically the worst Defence and the 4th worst Offence is not the kind of thing that convinced Chad Johnson to stick it out with the team.
Carson Palmer left last night's shutout against the Saints bleeding, after being sacked three times in the first half. Stacy Andrews said that 'it hurts' to see Palmer coming off the field with blood dripping from his nose and mouth. You can bet that it hurts Palmer a hell of a lot more. The Offensive line is a position of relative strength for the Bengals, so to see the unit implode as it did last night does not bode well for the team's overall chances.
The Defence has made nothing like the step forward that they needed to, and it's likely that this year could be a massive struggle in a division that is crying out for a team to assert itself.
JaMarcus Russell
When the Raiders invested last year's no.1 overall pick in Russell, they did not expect that he would contribute immediately. Instead, they used last season to try and acclimatise Russell to life in the NFL, and get his weight down to somewhere more approaching that of an NFL QB, rather than an NFL Offensive Lineman.
Unfortunately, his pre-season performances have thrown up as many questions as answers for the team. He looks affected by the stage he is on, and while he is not helped by the quality of his receivers, he does not really give them an opportunity to make big plays. Blessed with a rocket arm, Russell looks afraid to cut loose, and his manoeuvrability is questionable. He was sacked four times last night against the Cardinals, and was even booed after failing to generate any points in his three Quarters of action.
The future of the Raiders will be judged on how well Russell and new RB Darren McFadden turn out. At this rate, it could be some time before the team sees a return on it's investment.
The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts
The Patriots and Colts rarely put Tom Brady or Peyton Manning on the line during pre-season, but with injuries preventing either from practicing - at least while things aren't competitive - the stakes were higher for the backup Quarterbacks on their rosters. Both teams entered Camp with four Quarterbacks, and neither team has seen one player genuinely stake a claim for the right to back up their Hall of Fame incumbent.
The main problem is that both teams have been spoiled by the durability of their Starting QB. Neither has missed a start in a combined 272 games, and to a certain extent, competency at the backup position was more or less an afterthought. Matt Cassel was never more than a backup at USC, and so his position on the roster with the Patriots has always seemed a slight mystery. There are certainly better veterans available. The same goes for Jim Sorgi in Indy.
Where the two situations differ is in urgency. Whereas the Pats have opted to give youngsters Matt Guttierez and Kevin O'Connell a chance to put pressure on Cassel, knowing full well that Brady will be available for the Week one opener against the Chiefs.
In contrast, as we mentioned yesterday, Manning's status is anything but clear. To try and galvanise some productivity out of Sorgi, the team signed veterans Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen. That statement is enough to tell anyone that the team is anxious about whether he will make the start against Chicago on September the 7th.
Unfortunately, all that this pre-season has shown is that Cassel and Sorgi are not the insurance policies that their teams believed they were before this off-season.
The Giants Pass Defence
When the Superbowl champion Giants let Safety Gibril Wilson depart for a bumper payday in Oakland, this commentator described the move as 'addition by subtraction'. Wilson was never good in New York, and in fact, none of the highly paid veterans that the team has had in it's secondary over the last 2-3 years have been remotely good enough to win a Superbowl.
Of course, sometimes fate does not pay any attention to mere statistics, or how many times a player is beat deep. It is telling however, that the Giants invested their first and second round picks on Defensive Backs in this year's draft. They also brought in Safety Sammy Knight in free agency, though it could be argued Knight is well past his prime.
And the result? The team are 30th in the league against the pass - and their average loss per passing play is far and away the worst in the NFL over pre-season. Rookies Kenny Phillips and Terrell Thomas will need time to adapt to the speed of the game, and their best player would appear to be Second Year Aaron Ross, the CB who was the team's first round pick last year.
With Osi Umenyiora injured in last night's defeat to the Jets, and Michael Strahan's retirement, it remains to be seen whether the Defence can generate a pass rush to match last season's standard. If it can't, expect the Giants to give up the big play far more often.
Alex Smith and Rex Grossman
Both Smith and Grossman were first round picks, and both saw their first meaningful action in 2005. Both showed some promise in 2006, before 2007 effectively ended their careers at the club that drafted them.
For Grossman, it is unlikely that he will start again in the NFL. Sure he has the talent, but Thursday's embarrassing, lackadaisical approach during the game (ironically, against the 49ers) showed exactly why Grossman can be as infuriating as he is talented. It is impossible now that he can shake off his tag as a guy who cannot take care of the football. Grossman will likely stay in Chicago for this next year, and hope that Kyle Orton goes down or does not perform. His only shot now is to show enough in such a scenario, that another team decides to give him an opportunity in an emergency.
For Smith, things are just as complex, but perhaps his comparative youth means that he will intrigue coaches more. In reality, he is a victim of Coach Mike Nolan's desire to not lose, rather than giving Smith another year to prove himself, which could result in Nolan losing his job if the team struggles. Again, like Grossman, Smith may hang around in San Francisco to see if he can regain the starting gig, but in reality, he is likely to either be traded this season or next. There should be a market for a player who showed considerable progress during his sophomore season under Norv Turner, the then-Offensive Coordinator of the 49ers, and it would be a surprise if Smith is done in the league just three years after being the No.1 pick in the 2005 NFL draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals
After a tumultuous off-season, that almost saw the team lose their three best receivers for various reasons, perhaps it should be no great surprise that the Bengals are struggling to get started this year. On the other hand, being statistically the worst Defence and the 4th worst Offence is not the kind of thing that convinced Chad Johnson to stick it out with the team.
Carson Palmer left last night's shutout against the Saints bleeding, after being sacked three times in the first half. Stacy Andrews said that 'it hurts' to see Palmer coming off the field with blood dripping from his nose and mouth. You can bet that it hurts Palmer a hell of a lot more. The Offensive line is a position of relative strength for the Bengals, so to see the unit implode as it did last night does not bode well for the team's overall chances.
The Defence has made nothing like the step forward that they needed to, and it's likely that this year could be a massive struggle in a division that is crying out for a team to assert itself.
JaMarcus Russell
When the Raiders invested last year's no.1 overall pick in Russell, they did not expect that he would contribute immediately. Instead, they used last season to try and acclimatise Russell to life in the NFL, and get his weight down to somewhere more approaching that of an NFL QB, rather than an NFL Offensive Lineman.
Unfortunately, his pre-season performances have thrown up as many questions as answers for the team. He looks affected by the stage he is on, and while he is not helped by the quality of his receivers, he does not really give them an opportunity to make big plays. Blessed with a rocket arm, Russell looks afraid to cut loose, and his manoeuvrability is questionable. He was sacked four times last night against the Cardinals, and was even booed after failing to generate any points in his three Quarters of action.
The future of the Raiders will be judged on how well Russell and new RB Darren McFadden turn out. At this rate, it could be some time before the team sees a return on it's investment.
The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts
The Patriots and Colts rarely put Tom Brady or Peyton Manning on the line during pre-season, but with injuries preventing either from practicing - at least while things aren't competitive - the stakes were higher for the backup Quarterbacks on their rosters. Both teams entered Camp with four Quarterbacks, and neither team has seen one player genuinely stake a claim for the right to back up their Hall of Fame incumbent.
The main problem is that both teams have been spoiled by the durability of their Starting QB. Neither has missed a start in a combined 272 games, and to a certain extent, competency at the backup position was more or less an afterthought. Matt Cassel was never more than a backup at USC, and so his position on the roster with the Patriots has always seemed a slight mystery. There are certainly better veterans available. The same goes for Jim Sorgi in Indy.
Where the two situations differ is in urgency. Whereas the Pats have opted to give youngsters Matt Guttierez and Kevin O'Connell a chance to put pressure on Cassel, knowing full well that Brady will be available for the Week one opener against the Chiefs.
In contrast, as we mentioned yesterday, Manning's status is anything but clear. To try and galvanise some productivity out of Sorgi, the team signed veterans Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen. That statement is enough to tell anyone that the team is anxious about whether he will make the start against Chicago on September the 7th.
Unfortunately, all that this pre-season has shown is that Cassel and Sorgi are not the insurance policies that their teams believed they were before this off-season.
The Giants Pass Defence
When the Superbowl champion Giants let Safety Gibril Wilson depart for a bumper payday in Oakland, this commentator described the move as 'addition by subtraction'. Wilson was never good in New York, and in fact, none of the highly paid veterans that the team has had in it's secondary over the last 2-3 years have been remotely good enough to win a Superbowl.
Of course, sometimes fate does not pay any attention to mere statistics, or how many times a player is beat deep. It is telling however, that the Giants invested their first and second round picks on Defensive Backs in this year's draft. They also brought in Safety Sammy Knight in free agency, though it could be argued Knight is well past his prime.
And the result? The team are 30th in the league against the pass - and their average loss per passing play is far and away the worst in the NFL over pre-season. Rookies Kenny Phillips and Terrell Thomas will need time to adapt to the speed of the game, and their best player would appear to be Second Year Aaron Ross, the CB who was the team's first round pick last year.
With Osi Umenyiora injured in last night's defeat to the Jets, and Michael Strahan's retirement, it remains to be seen whether the Defence can generate a pass rush to match last season's standard. If it can't, expect the Giants to give up the big play far more often.
Alex Smith and Rex Grossman
Both Smith and Grossman were first round picks, and both saw their first meaningful action in 2005. Both showed some promise in 2006, before 2007 effectively ended their careers at the club that drafted them.
For Grossman, it is unlikely that he will start again in the NFL. Sure he has the talent, but Thursday's embarrassing, lackadaisical approach during the game (ironically, against the 49ers) showed exactly why Grossman can be as infuriating as he is talented. It is impossible now that he can shake off his tag as a guy who cannot take care of the football. Grossman will likely stay in Chicago for this next year, and hope that Kyle Orton goes down or does not perform. His only shot now is to show enough in such a scenario, that another team decides to give him an opportunity in an emergency.
For Smith, things are just as complex, but perhaps his comparative youth means that he will intrigue coaches more. In reality, he is a victim of Coach Mike Nolan's desire to not lose, rather than giving Smith another year to prove himself, which could result in Nolan losing his job if the team struggles. Again, like Grossman, Smith may hang around in San Francisco to see if he can regain the starting gig, but in reality, he is likely to either be traded this season or next. There should be a market for a player who showed considerable progress during his sophomore season under Norv Turner, the then-Offensive Coordinator of the 49ers, and it would be a surprise if Smith is done in the league just three years after being the No.1 pick in the 2005 NFL draft.
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
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
Winners from Pre-Season week 3
Pre-Season doesn't count for anything (just ask Dennis Green), but this week's games have seen a clearer picture emerge regarding the state of the NFL.
Here's our take on the winners of Pre-Season week 3. We'll have the losers shortly.
The Carolina Panthers
Entering 2008, the Panthers have not been a trendy pick to make the Playoffs, especially playing in a division where the Bucs and Saints have monopolised the title since 2004.
All that could change after last night's dominant 3-47 win over the lacklustre Redskins. The team's running game, in particular, was impressive, with both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart amassing 100yd games. Indeed, both backs did it in around 10 carries, and had very similiar stats, despite being very different types of runner. The tandem are both competing to replace DeShaun Foster as the starter, but no matter which player starts, you can guarantee that the other will be productive.
The situation is reminiscent of the Jaguars, who have Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor sharing the load. The differing styles of each runner help keep the other fresh, which in turn often leads to big gains late on in games.
The team will sorely miss Wide Receiver Steve Smith, but if Jake Delhomme continues his solid recovery from elbow surgery and can get the team through those two games that Smith is suspended for, then the Panthers could have a very good chance of finishing atop the NFC South.
The Miami Dolphins
No, do not adjust your monitor. We mean it. The 'fins were almost the worst team in NFL statistical history last season, and were lucky to get their one victory in overtime against the Ravens.
But Bill Parcells has once again rescued a big-market team from the doldrums, and some of his personel decisions look a lot better after last night's shutout of the Chiefs. Ok, so Kansas City are hardly going to be challenging for a Superbowl this year either, but you can only beat the team you play on any given week, and the Dolphins did so emphatically.
Chad Pennington looks to have hit the ground (or the air... if that's possible.) running, and his measured play could acrually help the team win some games this season. Certainly, he is getting more from receiver Ted Ginn jnr, and even Ricky Williams has turned up this year. According to one team source Williams is 'the best player on this team' - something that gives the Dolphins a credible ground game with which to establish control over games.
Drew Brees
This week saw a few Quarterback performances that deserve a mention. Matt Schaub was once again good for Houston, while Pennington, Tony Romo, and Aaron Rodgers all proved their doubters wrong.
However, no QB has been as impressive as Brees, who continues to establish himself in the top tier of NFL signal-callers. While most players seem sluggish at this stage, Brees has thrown for nearly 400yds, 4 TD's, and crucially, zero interceptions. He is completing almost 70% of his passes at a time when he is not always throwing to first team receivers, and last night put up nearly 200yds in the first half alone against Cincinnatti.
If the Saints Secondary can improve to the level that the rest of the team currently plays at, the team might get another shot at the playoffs and beyond this year.
Kickers
With the odd short miss excepted, kickers have been impressive this week. Many games have descended into tit-for-tat kicking affairs, while teams are also giving their players a chance from longer range as they try to establish where their comfort zone is.
But it's not just the Starters making plays, it's the backups. Detroit's Dave Rayner was 4/4 last night, and even though he will not supplant Jason Hanson, he has likely earned himself a chance at making another roster next week after he is cut. The same goes for Minnesota's Steven Hauschka, who has made 8/8 in the pre-season, despite having zero chance of making the team's roster.
Indeed, Hauschka is not the only Rookie Kicker making an impact this year, in what seems a very strong class of Kickers compared to the rather barren past few years. Miami seems set with Dan Carpenter, while Jason Reda of Cleveland, Adam Crosset of Indy, and John Vaughn of Tennessee all have done enough to earn tryouts after they are inevitably cut next week.
Nowehere is Kicking so vital, however, as the AFC and NFC West. The changeable weather conditions and altitude issues that face kickers in these divisions can make or break a career. Justin Medlock, a 5th round draft choice of the Chiefs last year, is almost certain to be unemployed next week after the Rams brought in Seattle's Josh Brown.
Brown, Jason Elam, Lawrence Tynes, and Jeff Wilkins. It's not often that kicking stability is thought of as a neccesity, so entering this season with none of these players at their usual homes could be a wild card element to the season. As we mentioned, Brown swapped the Qwest field winds for the dome in St. Louis, while the clutch Elam was released by Denver and caught on with Atlanta. Wilkins retired, and the Chiefs have been in a state of flux since trading Tynes to the Giants last season.
All three will enter the season with an inexperienced player at the position. The Seahawks seem to be set with Rookie Brandon Coutu, while the Broncos will likely go with Matt Prater, who has been 7/9 through 3 games. The Chiefs, as always, are completely hapless at the position, and will probably keep former Dallas kicker Nick Novak around, though Rookie Connor Barth is 2/2 for the pre-season.
Whatever happens, look for the swirling winds in both divisions to cost more than one team a victory this season.
Here's our take on the winners of Pre-Season week 3. We'll have the losers shortly.
The Carolina Panthers
Entering 2008, the Panthers have not been a trendy pick to make the Playoffs, especially playing in a division where the Bucs and Saints have monopolised the title since 2004.
All that could change after last night's dominant 3-47 win over the lacklustre Redskins. The team's running game, in particular, was impressive, with both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart amassing 100yd games. Indeed, both backs did it in around 10 carries, and had very similiar stats, despite being very different types of runner. The tandem are both competing to replace DeShaun Foster as the starter, but no matter which player starts, you can guarantee that the other will be productive.
The situation is reminiscent of the Jaguars, who have Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor sharing the load. The differing styles of each runner help keep the other fresh, which in turn often leads to big gains late on in games.
The team will sorely miss Wide Receiver Steve Smith, but if Jake Delhomme continues his solid recovery from elbow surgery and can get the team through those two games that Smith is suspended for, then the Panthers could have a very good chance of finishing atop the NFC South.
The Miami Dolphins
No, do not adjust your monitor. We mean it. The 'fins were almost the worst team in NFL statistical history last season, and were lucky to get their one victory in overtime against the Ravens.
But Bill Parcells has once again rescued a big-market team from the doldrums, and some of his personel decisions look a lot better after last night's shutout of the Chiefs. Ok, so Kansas City are hardly going to be challenging for a Superbowl this year either, but you can only beat the team you play on any given week, and the Dolphins did so emphatically.
Chad Pennington looks to have hit the ground (or the air... if that's possible.) running, and his measured play could acrually help the team win some games this season. Certainly, he is getting more from receiver Ted Ginn jnr, and even Ricky Williams has turned up this year. According to one team source Williams is 'the best player on this team' - something that gives the Dolphins a credible ground game with which to establish control over games.
Drew Brees
This week saw a few Quarterback performances that deserve a mention. Matt Schaub was once again good for Houston, while Pennington, Tony Romo, and Aaron Rodgers all proved their doubters wrong.
However, no QB has been as impressive as Brees, who continues to establish himself in the top tier of NFL signal-callers. While most players seem sluggish at this stage, Brees has thrown for nearly 400yds, 4 TD's, and crucially, zero interceptions. He is completing almost 70% of his passes at a time when he is not always throwing to first team receivers, and last night put up nearly 200yds in the first half alone against Cincinnatti.
If the Saints Secondary can improve to the level that the rest of the team currently plays at, the team might get another shot at the playoffs and beyond this year.
Kickers
With the odd short miss excepted, kickers have been impressive this week. Many games have descended into tit-for-tat kicking affairs, while teams are also giving their players a chance from longer range as they try to establish where their comfort zone is.
But it's not just the Starters making plays, it's the backups. Detroit's Dave Rayner was 4/4 last night, and even though he will not supplant Jason Hanson, he has likely earned himself a chance at making another roster next week after he is cut. The same goes for Minnesota's Steven Hauschka, who has made 8/8 in the pre-season, despite having zero chance of making the team's roster.
Indeed, Hauschka is not the only Rookie Kicker making an impact this year, in what seems a very strong class of Kickers compared to the rather barren past few years. Miami seems set with Dan Carpenter, while Jason Reda of Cleveland, Adam Crosset of Indy, and John Vaughn of Tennessee all have done enough to earn tryouts after they are inevitably cut next week.
Nowehere is Kicking so vital, however, as the AFC and NFC West. The changeable weather conditions and altitude issues that face kickers in these divisions can make or break a career. Justin Medlock, a 5th round draft choice of the Chiefs last year, is almost certain to be unemployed next week after the Rams brought in Seattle's Josh Brown.
Brown, Jason Elam, Lawrence Tynes, and Jeff Wilkins. It's not often that kicking stability is thought of as a neccesity, so entering this season with none of these players at their usual homes could be a wild card element to the season. As we mentioned, Brown swapped the Qwest field winds for the dome in St. Louis, while the clutch Elam was released by Denver and caught on with Atlanta. Wilkins retired, and the Chiefs have been in a state of flux since trading Tynes to the Giants last season.
All three will enter the season with an inexperienced player at the position. The Seahawks seem to be set with Rookie Brandon Coutu, while the Broncos will likely go with Matt Prater, who has been 7/9 through 3 games. The Chiefs, as always, are completely hapless at the position, and will probably keep former Dallas kicker Nick Novak around, though Rookie Connor Barth is 2/2 for the pre-season.
Whatever happens, look for the swirling winds in both divisions to cost more than one team a victory this season.
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