Things were looking a little rocky for Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb near mid-season, but an infamous “benching” helped turn the tide, and the Eagles finished a win away from the Super Bowl.
Make that five NFC championship appearances in the Reid/McNabb era, and can we say, counting?
The offense is definitely still there, leaving the only real question to be the defense that lost some key players, and even lost 68-year old defensive coordinator, Jim Johnson, to cancer.
With middle linebacker Stewart Bradley’s ACL-tear, the Eagles defense is quickly unwinding.
5. Can Brent Celek be a Full-Time Starting Tight End?
Celek may never be as athletic and the under-whelming L.J. Smith was, but he could end up being as reliable as Chad Lewis was.
McNabb hasn’t had a reliable, sure-handed receiver at tight end in years, and Brent Celek proved he can bring that to the table last year.
He’s faster and more athletic than given credit for, while also growing as a route runner, and possessing great hands.
His stats are sure to be limited with so many quality options around him, but his value can’t be ignored.
4. Does Kevin Kolb Have Reason to Get Excited?
Of course.
He’s playing on a team probably five deep at receiver with talented players who could all arguably start for the team.
Oh, and he’s playing behind Donovan McNabb, a guy who rarely finishes seasons or plays a full slate of games.
That way, regardless of McNabb’s play, unjuries could grant Kolb some serious action.
Of course, there is always the possibility McNabb sustains an injury, which would catapult Kolb into the starting position.
3. Will Brian Westbrook Keep the Starting Job?
For some players, the saying “age is just a number” rings truer than for others.
With Brian Westbrook, that most certainly is the case.
Despite being 30 and on the shelf after ankle surgery, Westbrook is still defined as one of the more complete and versatile NFL weapons, as well as fantasy gods.
Wetbrook IS the Eagles offense.
While LeSean McCoy will undoubtedly claim the starting role at some point withint the next 2-3 seasons, there’s no reason why the still dnyamic Westbrook shouldn’t be the full-fledged starter for all of 2009.
2. Will Jeremy Maclin Supplant Kevin Curtis as the Number Two?
After signing as a free agent and putting up solid numbers of over 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns, Kevin Curtis missed half of 2008 with a hernia injury.
Needless to say, his two-year time in Philadelphia has received mixed reviews.
However, he’s back to full health, is still a sure-handed burner, and only sits second to second-year man, DeSean Jackson.
Jeremy Maclin, on the other hand, is just as fast as Curtis, but much bigger and stronger. He’s better suited to run deep routes and post routes, while Curtis is smaller and quicker, leaving him better suited for the slot.
In reality, while Maclin could end up “claiming” the two spot, the actual roles of the players probably won’t change.
1. Can the Defense Stay Elite?
The Eagles have experienced a summer of great loss on the defensive side, as they’ve witnessed the passing of their legendary defensive coordinator, Jim Johnson, and have also seen veterans Brian Dawkins and Lito Sheppard leave.
While there remain questions at safety, the front line should remain constant with pressure on the quarterback, as well as stuffing the running lanes.
However, the recent loss of Stewart Bradley could shuffle the linebacking corps, which could potentially mean disaster for a defense without a true identity.
The talent is there. The rest hangs on some leaders stepping up, as well as the coaching.
People can hang on 2008’s stats all they want, but like it or not, this will be a different Philly’s defense in 2009.
There was only one Jim Johnson.
