vince
09-03-2007, 06:13 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/eagles/home.htm
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles' top offseason priority was improving a defense that didn't play very well last season, finishing 15th in yards allowed, 15th in points allowed and 26th in rushing yards allowed.
But on the eve of their season-opener against Green Bay, it still remains to be seen whether they have effectively done that.
They will open '07 with new starters at five different positions, including an entirely new linebacking corps. The Eagles traded for Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes in March, and will plug him in on the weak side. But there are question marks at the other two linebacker positions.
The Eagles gave strong-side linebacker Dhani Jones his long-overdue walking papers in May and have replaced him with second-year man Chris Gocong. But Gocong, a college defensive end, has never played a regular-season snap at linebacker, and still is feeling his way.
A little more surprising was the mid-August release of veteran middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. Trotter, a three-time Pro Bowler whose deteriorating knees had robbed him of his speed and range, will be replaced by second-year man Omar Gaither, who started seven games on the weak side as a rookie, but has never taken a regular-season snap in the middle.
Two other young defensive players under the gun are defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley and strong safety Sean Considine. Bunkley, the team's '06 No. 1 pick, was a bust as a rookie and seldom played. But the Eagles traded away starting defensive tackle Darwin Walker to get Spikes, and now Bunkley must produce. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has called the former Florida State player the key to the defense's success this season.
Considine replaced Michael Lewis seven games into last season. He did a better job than Lewis against the pass, but struggled against the run. He added weight in the offseason and is up to 210 pounds, but didn't play particularly well against either the run or the pass in the preseason.
Another defensive concern is left end Jevon Kearse. Kearse missed 14 games last season with torn ligaments in his knee and was invisible in the preseason. Johnson is counting on Kearse to be a double-digit sack pass-rusher this season, but he doesn't have the same speed off the edge that he had earlier in his career. The fact that he only weighs about 245 pounds doesn't help either.
"I think we'll be alright," coach Andy Reid said. "We should be alright. There are some things we need to get straightened out as far as alignments and things like that. We need to get those things tended to before we get to Green Bay. But we'll be OK."
There are far fewer concerns on the other side of the ball. Quarterback Donovan McNabb, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, had a solid preseason. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis appears to be a solid tradeoff for Donte Stallworth, who signed with New England.
The only two offensive questions entering the season are the health of Pro Bowl right guard Shawn Andrews and tight end L.J. Smith. Andrews missed the entire preseason with a high ankle sprain. But Reid has said he'll be ready for the start of the season. Smith also has been sidelined most of the summer with a groin strain that may or may not be related to his spring surgery to repair a sports hernia.
COACHING: Andy Reid, 9th year, 9th with Eagles (88-54).
REMEMBERING: 2006 record: 10-6 (1st in NFC East); lost in divisional playoffs to New Orleans Saints, 27-24.
PREDICTING: 2007 regular-season record: 11-5 (1st in NFC East; lose in Super Bowl.
NOTES, QUOTES
—Andy Reid's 22-year-old son Britt, who already has pleaded guilty to simple assault, drug possession and a gun-felony charge stemming from a January road-rage incident, is in more trouble. After getting stopped for suspected DUI last week, police found more than 200 unidentified pills in his pockets and car. In addition, they also found a rolled-up $10 bill with white residue on it. No charges have been filed yet. But Britt, who had been free on $100,000 bail while awaiting sentencing on the original plea, had his bail revoked and was sent to jail. Reid's older son, 24-year-old Garrett, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to a DUI charge in which he ran a red light and crashed into another car while high on heroin in January.
—DE Jevon Kearse has not looked very impressive in training camp or the preseason. Kearse, who missed 14 games last season with torn ligaments in his knee, didn't have a tackle, sack or hurry in a full half of work against Pittsburgh in the Eagles' third preseason game. The edge-rushing speed that made him such a force earlier in his career seems to be gone. "I thought it was important he got in there and played (against the Steelers)," coach Andy Reid said. "He needed that to get his rhythm and timing down."
—RB Correll Buckhalter is hoping his knee problems finally are behind him. Buckhalter missed three of his first five NFL seasons with major knee injuries, but made it back last year and was a valuable contributor as Brian Westbrook's backup. He said his knees feel even better now and he hopes to get even more touches. Besides backing up Westbrook, he'll be used on kickoff returns. "It just felt better knowing that I came into camp without a limp, whereas last year I did because my (right) leg wasn't as strong as it is now," Buckhalter said. "This allowed me to come in and play football. I knocked the rust off and now I'm ready to perform."
BY THE NUMBERS: 200 — The Eagles gave up 200 or more rushing yards in five of their last 11 games in '06.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He has things to work on. But I think he's coming out of the preseason feeling confident in his leg, and knowing that he can go out there and play. And when you're coming off a serious injury. I think that's very important." — Coach Andy Reid on quarterback Donovan McNabb's recovery from a torn ACL
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
NOTABLE MOVES: Signed DT Kimo von Oelhoffen. P Dirk Johnson, WR Jeremy Bloom released. S Will Demps (dislocated elbow) placed on injured reserve. S/KR J.R. Reed assigned on waivers from Giants, LB Pago Togafau from Cardinals.
PLAYER TO WATCH: LB Stewart Bradley — Bradley, the Eagles' '07 third-round pick, is running No. 2 on the strong side to starter Chris Gocong and also is getting reps at middle linebacker. The 6-3, 254-pounder out of Nebraska is a stud and could be starting by midseason.
DRAFT PICKS TO STICK
Rd. 2/36, QB Kevin Kolb, Houston — Kolb presumably is the Eagles' quarterback of the future. But he'll likely spend at least the next two years behind starter Donovan McNabb and backup A.J. Feeley.
Rd. 2/57, DE Victor Abiamiri, Notre Dame — A solid end who already might be the team's best outside run-stuffer. He's pushing for a spot in the Eagles' four-man end rotation.
Rd. 3/87, LB Stewart Bradley, Nebraska — Bradley has been getting work both on the strong side and in the middle and could be a starter by mid-season.
Rd. 3/90, RB Tony Hunt, Penn State — The 233-pounder will be used in short-yardage and goal-line situations as a rookie.
Rd. 5/162, TE Brent Celek, Cincinnati — L.J. Smith's groin injury allowed Celek to get a lot of preseason reps and Celek made the most of them. He'll likely be the team's No. 3 TE behind Smith and Matt Schobel.
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACK: Starter — Donovan McNabb. Backups — A.J. Feeley, Kevin Kolb.
McNabb, 30, has gotten hurt three of the last five seasons, which precipitated the drafting of Kolb in April. But McNabb will remain the starter as long as he stays healthy and productive. He was having one of the best years of his career last year before tearing his ACL in mid-November. The knee has not given him any problems this summer. Feeley will replace departed Jeff Garcia as McNabb's backup.
RUNNING BACKS: Starters — Brian Westbrook, Thomas Tapeh (FB). Backups — Correll Buckhalter, Tony Hunt.
Westbrook is one of the league's most versatile running backs. The only question mark about him has been durability. But he held up fine last year on his way to a career-high 322 touches and 1,900-plus rushing and receiving yards. Hunt, the team's 233-pound third-round pick, could be a significant addition. They'll use him in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
TIGHT END/H-BACK: Starter — L.J. Smith. Backups — Matt Schobel, Brent Celek.
Smith is one of the league's better pass-catching tight ends. He often is flexed out wide to take advantage of mismatches against linebackers and safeties. But he was sidelined most of the summer by a groin strain that came right after surgery to repair a sports hernia. It remains to be seen whether he'll be able to stay healthy the whole season. Schobel doesn't have Smith's speed, but is a competent receiver.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Reggie Brown, Kevin Curtis. Backups — Jason Avant, Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis.
Brown is an excellent yards-after-the-catch receiver who averaged 17.7 yards per reception last year and had eight touchdowns. Curtis should offset the loss of Donte Stallworth. Avant, a strong receiver with excellent hands, beat out Baskett for the No. 3 job.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LT William Thomas, LG Todd Herremans, C Jamaal Jackson, RG Shawn Andrews, RT Jon Runyan. Backups — Winston Justice, Scott Young, Max Jean-Gilles, Pat McCoy, Nick Cole.
This unit was a big reason the Eagles finished second in the league in total offense last year. They gave up just 28 sacks, which were the fewest by an Eagles team in a quarter-century. Thomas and Runyan are dependable thirty-something war horses. Andrews, who missed the entire preseason with a high ankle sprain, is one of the best young interior linemen in the game. They also have excellent depth.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LE Jevon Kearse, LT Mike Patterson, RT Brodrick Bunkley, RE Trent Cole. Backups — Darren Howard, Juqua Thomas, Victor Abiamiri, Montae Raegor, LaJuan Ramsey, Kimo von Oelhoffen.
Bunkley, the team's '06 No. 1 pick, was a bust as a rookie and seldom got on the field. But the Eagles have high hopes for him this season. If he can be a disruptive influence inside, it will have a ripple effect on the rest of the defense. Kearse is coming off a knee injury that sidelined him for 14 games last season and struggled in the preseason. High-motor Cole has replaced Howard as the starter on the right side, but Jim Johnson will rotate four guys both inside and outside. This unit needs to be able to get pressure on the quarterback without constant help from the blitz.
LINEBACKER: Starters — SLB Chris Gocong, MLB Omar Gaither, WLB Takeo Spikes. Backups — Stewart Bradley, Matt McCoy.
The Eagles acquired former Pro Bowler Spikes in an offseason trade and are hopeful he'll improve a unit that didn't play very well in '06. Gaither, who started seven games at WILL as a rookie, is moving inside where he'll try to fill the big shoes of Jeremiah Trotter, who was released in mid-August. The key to this unit will be Gocong, a college defensive end who is trying to make the transition to SAM 'backer. If he struggles, Bradley, a 6-3, 254-pound rookie who can play inside or outside, is waiting in the wings.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Lito Sheppard, RCB Sheldon Brown, FS Brian Dawkins, SS Sean Considine. Backups — Joselio Hanson, Quintin Mikell, William James, Nick Graham.
Sheppard and Brown begin their fourth season as the Eagles' starting corners. Both are under 5-10, which occasionally puts them at a disadvantage against taller wideouts. James and Hanson give them excellent coverage depth. Safety is another matter. Dawkins turns 34 in October and was bothered by Achilles tendonitis much of the summer. The jury still is out on Considine, who needs to play the run better than he did last year. Mikell is the team's best special-teamer, but not an every down player.
SPECIAL TEAMS: PK David Akers, P Sav Rocca, LS Jon Dorenbos, PR J.R. Reed, KR Correll Buckhalter.
Rocca won the punting job from Dirk Johnson. Rocca, a former Australian Rules football player, has a strong leg. The only question is his consistency, but he has averaged 47.2 yards per punt in the preseason. Akers is one of the league's top three kickers but will have a new holder after the release of Johnson.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles' top offseason priority was improving a defense that didn't play very well last season, finishing 15th in yards allowed, 15th in points allowed and 26th in rushing yards allowed.
But on the eve of their season-opener against Green Bay, it still remains to be seen whether they have effectively done that.
They will open '07 with new starters at five different positions, including an entirely new linebacking corps. The Eagles traded for Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes in March, and will plug him in on the weak side. But there are question marks at the other two linebacker positions.
The Eagles gave strong-side linebacker Dhani Jones his long-overdue walking papers in May and have replaced him with second-year man Chris Gocong. But Gocong, a college defensive end, has never played a regular-season snap at linebacker, and still is feeling his way.
A little more surprising was the mid-August release of veteran middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. Trotter, a three-time Pro Bowler whose deteriorating knees had robbed him of his speed and range, will be replaced by second-year man Omar Gaither, who started seven games on the weak side as a rookie, but has never taken a regular-season snap in the middle.
Two other young defensive players under the gun are defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley and strong safety Sean Considine. Bunkley, the team's '06 No. 1 pick, was a bust as a rookie and seldom played. But the Eagles traded away starting defensive tackle Darwin Walker to get Spikes, and now Bunkley must produce. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has called the former Florida State player the key to the defense's success this season.
Considine replaced Michael Lewis seven games into last season. He did a better job than Lewis against the pass, but struggled against the run. He added weight in the offseason and is up to 210 pounds, but didn't play particularly well against either the run or the pass in the preseason.
Another defensive concern is left end Jevon Kearse. Kearse missed 14 games last season with torn ligaments in his knee and was invisible in the preseason. Johnson is counting on Kearse to be a double-digit sack pass-rusher this season, but he doesn't have the same speed off the edge that he had earlier in his career. The fact that he only weighs about 245 pounds doesn't help either.
"I think we'll be alright," coach Andy Reid said. "We should be alright. There are some things we need to get straightened out as far as alignments and things like that. We need to get those things tended to before we get to Green Bay. But we'll be OK."
There are far fewer concerns on the other side of the ball. Quarterback Donovan McNabb, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, had a solid preseason. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis appears to be a solid tradeoff for Donte Stallworth, who signed with New England.
The only two offensive questions entering the season are the health of Pro Bowl right guard Shawn Andrews and tight end L.J. Smith. Andrews missed the entire preseason with a high ankle sprain. But Reid has said he'll be ready for the start of the season. Smith also has been sidelined most of the summer with a groin strain that may or may not be related to his spring surgery to repair a sports hernia.
COACHING: Andy Reid, 9th year, 9th with Eagles (88-54).
REMEMBERING: 2006 record: 10-6 (1st in NFC East); lost in divisional playoffs to New Orleans Saints, 27-24.
PREDICTING: 2007 regular-season record: 11-5 (1st in NFC East; lose in Super Bowl.
NOTES, QUOTES
—Andy Reid's 22-year-old son Britt, who already has pleaded guilty to simple assault, drug possession and a gun-felony charge stemming from a January road-rage incident, is in more trouble. After getting stopped for suspected DUI last week, police found more than 200 unidentified pills in his pockets and car. In addition, they also found a rolled-up $10 bill with white residue on it. No charges have been filed yet. But Britt, who had been free on $100,000 bail while awaiting sentencing on the original plea, had his bail revoked and was sent to jail. Reid's older son, 24-year-old Garrett, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to a DUI charge in which he ran a red light and crashed into another car while high on heroin in January.
—DE Jevon Kearse has not looked very impressive in training camp or the preseason. Kearse, who missed 14 games last season with torn ligaments in his knee, didn't have a tackle, sack or hurry in a full half of work against Pittsburgh in the Eagles' third preseason game. The edge-rushing speed that made him such a force earlier in his career seems to be gone. "I thought it was important he got in there and played (against the Steelers)," coach Andy Reid said. "He needed that to get his rhythm and timing down."
—RB Correll Buckhalter is hoping his knee problems finally are behind him. Buckhalter missed three of his first five NFL seasons with major knee injuries, but made it back last year and was a valuable contributor as Brian Westbrook's backup. He said his knees feel even better now and he hopes to get even more touches. Besides backing up Westbrook, he'll be used on kickoff returns. "It just felt better knowing that I came into camp without a limp, whereas last year I did because my (right) leg wasn't as strong as it is now," Buckhalter said. "This allowed me to come in and play football. I knocked the rust off and now I'm ready to perform."
BY THE NUMBERS: 200 — The Eagles gave up 200 or more rushing yards in five of their last 11 games in '06.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He has things to work on. But I think he's coming out of the preseason feeling confident in his leg, and knowing that he can go out there and play. And when you're coming off a serious injury. I think that's very important." — Coach Andy Reid on quarterback Donovan McNabb's recovery from a torn ACL
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
NOTABLE MOVES: Signed DT Kimo von Oelhoffen. P Dirk Johnson, WR Jeremy Bloom released. S Will Demps (dislocated elbow) placed on injured reserve. S/KR J.R. Reed assigned on waivers from Giants, LB Pago Togafau from Cardinals.
PLAYER TO WATCH: LB Stewart Bradley — Bradley, the Eagles' '07 third-round pick, is running No. 2 on the strong side to starter Chris Gocong and also is getting reps at middle linebacker. The 6-3, 254-pounder out of Nebraska is a stud and could be starting by midseason.
DRAFT PICKS TO STICK
Rd. 2/36, QB Kevin Kolb, Houston — Kolb presumably is the Eagles' quarterback of the future. But he'll likely spend at least the next two years behind starter Donovan McNabb and backup A.J. Feeley.
Rd. 2/57, DE Victor Abiamiri, Notre Dame — A solid end who already might be the team's best outside run-stuffer. He's pushing for a spot in the Eagles' four-man end rotation.
Rd. 3/87, LB Stewart Bradley, Nebraska — Bradley has been getting work both on the strong side and in the middle and could be a starter by mid-season.
Rd. 3/90, RB Tony Hunt, Penn State — The 233-pounder will be used in short-yardage and goal-line situations as a rookie.
Rd. 5/162, TE Brent Celek, Cincinnati — L.J. Smith's groin injury allowed Celek to get a lot of preseason reps and Celek made the most of them. He'll likely be the team's No. 3 TE behind Smith and Matt Schobel.
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACK: Starter — Donovan McNabb. Backups — A.J. Feeley, Kevin Kolb.
McNabb, 30, has gotten hurt three of the last five seasons, which precipitated the drafting of Kolb in April. But McNabb will remain the starter as long as he stays healthy and productive. He was having one of the best years of his career last year before tearing his ACL in mid-November. The knee has not given him any problems this summer. Feeley will replace departed Jeff Garcia as McNabb's backup.
RUNNING BACKS: Starters — Brian Westbrook, Thomas Tapeh (FB). Backups — Correll Buckhalter, Tony Hunt.
Westbrook is one of the league's most versatile running backs. The only question mark about him has been durability. But he held up fine last year on his way to a career-high 322 touches and 1,900-plus rushing and receiving yards. Hunt, the team's 233-pound third-round pick, could be a significant addition. They'll use him in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
TIGHT END/H-BACK: Starter — L.J. Smith. Backups — Matt Schobel, Brent Celek.
Smith is one of the league's better pass-catching tight ends. He often is flexed out wide to take advantage of mismatches against linebackers and safeties. But he was sidelined most of the summer by a groin strain that came right after surgery to repair a sports hernia. It remains to be seen whether he'll be able to stay healthy the whole season. Schobel doesn't have Smith's speed, but is a competent receiver.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Reggie Brown, Kevin Curtis. Backups — Jason Avant, Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis.
Brown is an excellent yards-after-the-catch receiver who averaged 17.7 yards per reception last year and had eight touchdowns. Curtis should offset the loss of Donte Stallworth. Avant, a strong receiver with excellent hands, beat out Baskett for the No. 3 job.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LT William Thomas, LG Todd Herremans, C Jamaal Jackson, RG Shawn Andrews, RT Jon Runyan. Backups — Winston Justice, Scott Young, Max Jean-Gilles, Pat McCoy, Nick Cole.
This unit was a big reason the Eagles finished second in the league in total offense last year. They gave up just 28 sacks, which were the fewest by an Eagles team in a quarter-century. Thomas and Runyan are dependable thirty-something war horses. Andrews, who missed the entire preseason with a high ankle sprain, is one of the best young interior linemen in the game. They also have excellent depth.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LE Jevon Kearse, LT Mike Patterson, RT Brodrick Bunkley, RE Trent Cole. Backups — Darren Howard, Juqua Thomas, Victor Abiamiri, Montae Raegor, LaJuan Ramsey, Kimo von Oelhoffen.
Bunkley, the team's '06 No. 1 pick, was a bust as a rookie and seldom got on the field. But the Eagles have high hopes for him this season. If he can be a disruptive influence inside, it will have a ripple effect on the rest of the defense. Kearse is coming off a knee injury that sidelined him for 14 games last season and struggled in the preseason. High-motor Cole has replaced Howard as the starter on the right side, but Jim Johnson will rotate four guys both inside and outside. This unit needs to be able to get pressure on the quarterback without constant help from the blitz.
LINEBACKER: Starters — SLB Chris Gocong, MLB Omar Gaither, WLB Takeo Spikes. Backups — Stewart Bradley, Matt McCoy.
The Eagles acquired former Pro Bowler Spikes in an offseason trade and are hopeful he'll improve a unit that didn't play very well in '06. Gaither, who started seven games at WILL as a rookie, is moving inside where he'll try to fill the big shoes of Jeremiah Trotter, who was released in mid-August. The key to this unit will be Gocong, a college defensive end who is trying to make the transition to SAM 'backer. If he struggles, Bradley, a 6-3, 254-pound rookie who can play inside or outside, is waiting in the wings.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Lito Sheppard, RCB Sheldon Brown, FS Brian Dawkins, SS Sean Considine. Backups — Joselio Hanson, Quintin Mikell, William James, Nick Graham.
Sheppard and Brown begin their fourth season as the Eagles' starting corners. Both are under 5-10, which occasionally puts them at a disadvantage against taller wideouts. James and Hanson give them excellent coverage depth. Safety is another matter. Dawkins turns 34 in October and was bothered by Achilles tendonitis much of the summer. The jury still is out on Considine, who needs to play the run better than he did last year. Mikell is the team's best special-teamer, but not an every down player.
SPECIAL TEAMS: PK David Akers, P Sav Rocca, LS Jon Dorenbos, PR J.R. Reed, KR Correll Buckhalter.
Rocca won the punting job from Dirk Johnson. Rocca, a former Australian Rules football player, has a strong leg. The only question is his consistency, but he has averaged 47.2 yards per punt in the preseason. Akers is one of the league's top three kickers but will have a new holder after the release of Johnson.