NFC East Preview: Philadelphia Eagles

Last season, the Eagles finished the season on a tear, winning five in a row to take the NFC East from the grasp of the Cowboys in the final couple of weeks.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

2006 record: 10-6, won NFC East, lost in divisional round to New Orleans 27-24
Key Offseason Losses: LB Jeremiah Trotter (cut), WR Donte’ Stallworth, S Michael Lewis
Key Offseason Additions: WR Kevin Curtis (from the Rams), LB Takeo Spikes (trade from Bills), DT Monte Reagor, QB Kevin Kolb (second-round pick), DT Ian Scott

Quick Take

How much will coach Andy Reid be in the game after all of the offseason issues he’s had to deal with? Maybe the football field will be a welcome distraction, and his team will give him something to smile about. The Eagles have made the playoffs in six of his eight seasons, and have another playoff-worthy team in 2007.

OFFENSE

A healthy Donovan McNabb = a great offense. When #5 is healthy, he puts up great numbers. In ten games last season, McNabb threw for 2,647 yards, 18 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, with three of those picks coming in one game, a last-second loss to Tampa Bay in Week 7.

The receiving corps may not boast that many familiar names, but did add former Rams receiver Curtis, who is finally out of the shadow of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. And, McNabb has a rising talent in Reggie Brown, who caught 46 passes for 818 yards and eight touchdowns in ‘06, and rookie TE Brent Celek could make an immediate contribution, if L.J. Smith isn’t healthy.

Brian Westbrook continues to develop into one of the league’s top all-purpose backs, and posted a career high in rushing yards in ‘06 with 1,217. After accounting for 1,916 total yards last season, surpassing 2,000 yards is a definite possibility for the former Villanova star. He can be counted on for at least 70+ catches, which means McNabb doesn’t have to worry about enough people to spread the ball around to.

DEFENSE

After being a strong point during most of Andy Reid’s first several seasons in Philly, the Eagles’ defense has fallen off in the past couple of years. The Eagles’ offense scored 21 or more points in 14 of 16 games, but the defense gave up that same amount in nine games, five of which were losses, and gave up 20 and 27 in the two playoff games.

DE Trent Cole had eight sacks last season, and his improvement helps offset the fact that Jevon Kearse’s status continues to be uncertain. The addition of the two experienced tackles should help aid the development of Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley.

At linebacker, cutting Trotter might have been a surprise, but Spikes, if healthy, can be counted on to produce just as many tackles as Trotter did in his time as an Eagle. And, second-year ‘backer Omar Gaither is poised for a real breakout year after recording 64 tackles as a rookie.

The secondary is full of hard hitters and play makers. Few people can forget the hit that corner Sheldon Brown laid on Reggie Bush in their playoff game in January. I think Reggie can still feel that one. Fellow corner Lito Sheppard had six picks last season, and 14 in the last three seasons.

At safety, there’s the ever-dependable Brian Dawkins, who’s entering his 12th season. And, there’s another talented young player at strong safety in third-year secondary man Sean Considine, who became a starter during last season and racked up more than 100 tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS

David Akers has been the Eagles’ regular placekicker for the last seven seasons, and that doesn’t look to change anytime soon. Akers hit on 18 of 23 field goals last season, and has connected on 81.6 percent of his kicks during his NFL career.

There is a new punter in Australian Sav Rocca, who looks like he should be playing in the front seven, at 6′5 and 265. Like former Chargers punter Darren Bennett, he’s a former Australian rules footballer, and at 33, he’s the league’s oldest-ever rookie.

OUTLOOK

If Donovan McNabb’s injury woes creep up again, that will the cue for rookie Kolb. McNabb didn’t initally react too favorably when the Eagles used a second-round pick on him, and he had a reason to worry. Kolb was one of the best QBs statistically in NCAA history, and had an excellent preseason. He may be the QB of the future, but if McNabb gets hurt, he’ll be Mr. Right Now.

Whoever is under center will be the leader of what should be a really good team. The question mark isn’t on offense, even if McNabb’s injury situaton is tenuous. It’s on defense, where the talent has to come together to avoid getting the offense into too many shootouts.

The schedule doesn’t do them any favors, with road games at Green Bay, New England, New Orleans, and the Jets, and home games against Chicago and Seattle, along with their division tilts. 10-6 sounds like a reasonable record, or even 11-5, but will it be enough to get them the NFC East?