Philadelphia Eagles 2008 Preview

Having finished dead last in the NFC East for the second time in three years, there is nowhere to go but up for the Eagles in 2008. There are a couple glaring weaknesses that need to be addressed in the offseason, but on the whole it seems to me that this team is not far away from being a contender once again. Little things on a game-to-game basis ultimately did us in, but with some acute free agent signings and a strong draft, there’s no reason to doubt that the Eagles will be back with a vengeance in ’08. And just look at the last three games of the season – just further proof that we had a chance this year, but we just didn’t capitalize when it meant the most. There’s reason to be optimistic.

POSITIONS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED

Wide Receiver – Big surprise, huh? Yet another year goes by leaving Eagles fans pining for a big time, big play receiver. Kevin Curtis proved his worth by having a career year, and anybody watching the games knows his a terrific possession receiver. However, I think he’s best suited as a #2 behind a real stud who will be the gamebreaker the Eagles so desperately need to complement Brian Westbrook. Reggie Brown is not that guy and should be delegated to the slot in ’08. Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis are what they are – guys who will give you one or two catches a game on third down. For some reason this is always a problem in Philadelphia. Hopefully Joe Banner recognizes it and makes something happen. If he does not, many Eagles fans will be left angry and the offense will routinely struggle again. This problem should be fixed in free agency and not the draft, since it’s more of an immediate need. But that doesn’t mean the Eagles shouldn’t think about using their first pick on a wideout. Not a great list of free agents, but a couple HUGE names that the Eagles have to attack.
FA: Randy Moss, Bernard Berrian, Bryant Johnson, Drew Carter
Draft: Early Doucet, DeSean Jackson, Malcolm Kelly, Mario Manningham
P.S. Also look for the Eagles to pursue Chad Johnson in Cincinnati.

Defensive End – Don’t worry about Trent Cole. He’s a legit player who probably should have made the Pro Bowl this year with his 13 sacks. It’s the other end that draws a lot of concern. The platoon of Jevon Kearse and Darren Howard does not get it done. These two are as good as done in Philly, thanks to age catching up with them. The Eagles didn’t register many sacks this year aside from Cole, but Juqua Thomas is a good rotational player who will give you a good effort when he’s in there. Bottom line, the team needs one more legitimate pass rusher to complete the defensive line which is otherwise very good. Cole, along with run-stoppers Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley, form a solid line that would be complemented by one more big defensive end.
FA: Terrell Suggs, Justin Smith, Tommy Kelly, Jared Allen, Mike Rucker
Draft: Chris Long, Derrick Harvey, Vernon Gholston, Quentin Groves

Secondary – I don’t think it would kill the Eagles to grab another safety or cornerback in the offseason. Brian Dawkins, as much as it pains me to say, is not the player he once was. Not to mention Sean Considine wasn’t exactly what the Eagles were hoping for when they made him the starter. As for the corners, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown didn’t have career years, but they should be back as the 1-2 combination. Philly needs to find a solid nickel back behind them, because I don’t think William James is the answer. Joselio Hanson isn’t bad, but the Eagles should look to sign another shut-down corner. As for safety, I would bring in somebody to rotate with Considine and Quentin Mikell, and even someone to rotate with Dawkins from time to time.
FA CB: Asante Samuel, Marcus Trufant, Drayton Florence, Randall Gay
FA S: Gibril Wilson, Erik Coleman, Ken Hamlin, Atari Bigby, Eugene Wilson

OTHER POSITIONS THE TEAM SHOULD UPGRADE
Outside Linebacker
Lance Briggs, Boss Bailey, Demorrio Williams, Michael Boley
Tight End
Dallas Clark, Eric Johnson, Bo Scaife, Ben Troupe, maybe L.J. Smith
Punt/Kick Return specialist

WHAT THE EAGLES SHOULD DO IN THE DRAFT

All signs point to Philadelphia taking a wide receiver with their first pick, which is the 19th pick overall. Now if they sign a big time free agent, that should not discourage them from taking a receiver anyway, because drafting a solid WR in the first round means he could stick around for a long time and be a focal point of the offense (right, like former first-rounder Freddie Mitchell). A lot of people like DeSean Jackson from Cal, and he would bring a presence right away. The Eagles would be able to insert Jackson into their offense quickly, which Reggie Brown may not appreciate, but he would be a valuable asset. If not a receiver in round one, then perhaps go with Andy Reid’s specialty – take a lineman, more specifically, a defensive end. Just like the Dallas Cowgirls have done in the past few years with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer, draft a solid pass-rusher who would make an impact right away. Those two positions would be the most logical first round selections, but you could still argue for drafting a safety or cornerback as well. Not to mention, maybe a big time punt/kick returner. And an offensive tackle on the left side perhaps. This is how I would use the first of the team’s draft picks, all other things equal:
1st pick – WR
2nd pick – S/CB
3rd pick – KR/PR specialist
Again, the team could go in any number of directions depending on free agent signings, draft day events, etc. But I would say those are the biggest needs right now, with a left offensive tackle included.

THE CONTINUING STORY OF BUNGALOW BILL (and Donovan McNabb)

Really, what would a yearly preview be without a Donovan McNabb opinion? Well, I think it’s pretty simple. For all the crap the media has given him throughout the past few months, beginning with the drafting of Kevin Kolb, this franchise would be bonkers to dump McNabb before next season. If there was any doubt in Joe Banner’s mind concerning McNabb before the last three games of the season, it should be gone by now. He proved he could still run, throw and manage a game just like he has since the turn of the century. Here’s a guy who has given you five NFC East titles, four NFC Championship appearances and a Super Bowl appearance in the last seven years. He is the franchise. Sure, Westbrook is the most dynamic player and biggest weapon on offense, but McNabb is the face of the Philadelphia Eagles. He is, at his best, one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league. At least 75% of teams in the league would do anything to have a quarterback of his caliber. Let me make this clear: he should not be traded before next season.
People are nuts if they think Kolb or A.J. Feeley is a better option at the position. They’re nuts. The Eagles are not far from being a contender. If they reload in the offseason and get the weapons necessary to compete, McNabb gives Philly the best chance to win. He’s aging, no question, but that doesn’t mean his throwing skills are diminishing. The mistakes in his throwing mechanics are the same they were in his prime, and we won then, so why wouldn’t we be able to win now? You’ll say our defense was much better back then, but I’ll say our receiving corps was worse (minus the T.O. year) and Westbrook was still coming into his own. McNabb has something to prove. If we trade him, he will light it up wherever he goes. If we keep him, he’ll do everything he can to help us win. So long as he doesn’t get hurt…again.

FIVE NOT-SO-BOLD PREDICTIONS FOR 2008 (but I'm putting them in bold)

5) Donovan McNabb stays in Philly. Because Joe Banner is not an idiot and will realize if he wants to win he’ll keep the 5-time Pro Bowler.
4) The Eagles sign ONE big-time free agent. Whether it’s a receiver, a D-lineman or anybody else, one big name comes to town, with a few above-averages ones as well.
3) David Akers bounces back strong. I’m being a little homer-ish here, but I think 2007 was just an aberration for Akers. Something tells me he’ll be back on track.
2) A cut will be made that stuns everyone. This year it was Jeremiah Trotter out of nowhere. Don’t know who it will be, but our front office is infamous for this.
1) The team will be widely criticized for its offseason moves. That’s a given. That’s why I’m predicting it, so I can be right on at least one of these.

The Eagles are in the basement of the division. The good news is, I don’t think it’s going to take much to climb out of that hole. The Eagles should make moves this offseason with the mindset of comparing themselves to the other teams in the NFC East. The only way you become good in the NFL is to become good within your own division. Six out of 16 games come against those same teams, and if you’re successful against them, chances are you’re going to win your division. It’s no coincidence that the Eagles were 5-1 against the division in 2006 and won it, while this year they were 2-4 and finished last. Banner should compare his talent to Dallas, Washington and New York and do what he can to make it more equal. On paper, I would say the Eagles have just as much talent as those teams, but, as I’ve said before, the little things killed us: lack of defensive turnovers, no special teams threat, poor kicking, etc. The Eagles should fill those potholes in the offseason and come back in 2008 ready to win. After this past year, it’s going to be a loooooooong summer.

-ajd