The Eagles last year had no playmakers on the outside to bail McNabb out. Reggie Brown is nothing better then a #2 receiver and Kevin Curtis isn’t not the big time playmaker they were hoping he would be. Despite that, right now on the Eagle’s depth chart, Kevin Curtis has become the #1 receiver while Reggie Brown occupies the #2 spot. This could change in the coming weeks, but to be honest, I don’t think it really makes a difference. They will be just as bad no matter where these guys line up. What intrigues me is the drafting of DeSean Jackson out of California. He could be that playmaker that the Eagles have been lacking since the departure of Terrell Owens. Donovan McNabb may have his go to guy. Jackson made some big plays in California and I can envision him pulling off the same plays in an Eagles uniform. Hopefully, for the Eagles sake he does live up to his potential and more. With L.J Smith injured last year, McNabb lost another target that he counted on. This year the Eagles are hoping their tight end can stay healthy, not only as a pass catcher, but as a blocker as well. The O line did not look good last year. Just look at their game against the Giants where they gave up I believe 12 sacks. The line needs to improve. Injuries or not, guys need to step it up when their numbers are called.
Brain Westbrook is the brightest spot of this offense. He is their leading rusher and their leading receiver. I’m surprised that he’s not passing and kicking the ball too. Westbrook basically does it all. There is no doubt he will once again be leading the charge in the backfield and the only time we will see Correll Buckhalter or Lorenzo Booker is with a Westbrook injury. Last year, Westbrook had 1,333 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. That is with missing a game or two. I’m sure had Westbrook not missed time he would have easily eclipsed 1,500 yards. I think he will do that with ease this year and plow in 7 to 10 touchdowns. He’s a great running back. There is no doubt about that.
The Eagles will once again rely on Donovan McNabb at quarterback and once again we will hear callings for Kevin Kolb. It’s the same thing every year. McNabb gets no respect unless he over achieves and that is not very often. McNabb will struggle with the fans more then with the game this year. We will hear a lot of boos for him unless he does something that gets the fans off of his back for a week. Being drafted to Philly is probably the worst thing that has happened to McNabb’s career. He would have flourished anywhere else. I don’t think we will see Kevin Kolb take over the starting job this year, but you never know, maybe McNabb will finally crack under the pressure. Or maybe coach Reid will finally lose his faith in McNabb and listen to the fans. Kolb is very close to the starting job. The clock is ticking on McNabb’s job. Its time for him to make something happen. The Superbowl is a long ways away. He better get working.
To sum it all up, the Eagles aren’t a great team. They have Brian Westbrook who is an amazing Running Back, but after that they really don’t have much to offer. The fans don’t cheer for them and they don’t win enough games. I don’t see them making the playoffs this year, based on the division they play in. The only way the Eagles can compete in the NFC is to win their division games. They lost 4 of their division games last year, they have to improve upon those numbers otherwise they will never make it back to the playoffs. I don’t see a 10-6 season. 8-8 sounds right for the second year in a row, but maybe they can push a 9-7 record. They won’t make the playoffs. I’m sorry Eagles fans, this is not going to be the year. Unless something drastically changes in Philadelphia, its going to be a while before that year comes.
Keywords: Brian Westbrook, Donovan McNabb, Football, Kevin Curtis, Kevin Kolb, NFC, Philadelphia Eagles, Reggie Brown
