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2008 Team Report: Philadelphia Eagles

Quarterbacks

Starter: Donovan McNabb
Backup(s): Kevin Kolb, A.J. Feeley

Starting QB: The good news is Donovan McNabb was on the field for the Eagles final regular season game for only the second time in five years. The bad news is McNabb missed two weeks earlier in the season and the team finished 8-8 -- dead last in its division. At 31 years old and entering his 10th season, this is a critical year for the five-time Pro Bowler. This offseason, perhaps sensing urgency, McNabb publicly lobbied for "more playmakers," yet many fans would contend that Donovan needs to look in the mirror. Last year, McNabb threw for 3,324 yards and 19 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. McNabb continues to be among the league's best at limiting turnovers (Career: 171 TDs vs. 79 INTs), but is now three years removed from his last top-10 fantasy season. His injuries and desire to be known as a passer have greatly limited McNabb's rushing numbers of late; he must get back to scrambling if he and the Eagles are going to return to the their winning ways. There were times last season when McNabb could have easily run for 15-20 yards unabated, but he instead stayed in the pocket and took a sack. He's too talented and established in the offense to discount it completely. Still he remains no more than a marginal fantasy starter until he can put together a full 16-game season again.

Backup QB: Kevin Kolb has been elevated to QB2, which signals the coaches belief that he has progressed enough to take over for McNabb at some point potentially. Kolb has a quick release and has a high football IQ, but we've yet to see whether those skills translate into success in a real NFL game. Rounding out the roster is last year's backup, A.J. Feeley. Feeley is a serviceable backup who is more valuable to the Eagles than he would be on most teams given his familiarity with the complex offense. Physically, Feeley is an average passer at best, but he has a quick release and is confident in the huddle.

Running Backs

Starter: Brian Westbrook
Backup(s): Correll Buckhalter, Lorenzo Booker
Fullback(s): Tony Hunt

Starting RB: There aren't enough platitudes to describe Brian Westbrook's value to the Eagles. To say he's the team's offensive linchpin would be an understatement. Consider that Westbrook led the Eagles last year in attempts (228), rushing yards (1,333), receptions (90) and touchdowns (12) en route to a career best 2,104 yards from scrimmage. Westbrook is, by far, the best receiving back in the NFL; his 23 receiving TDs over the last five years is twice more than any other RB save for LaDainian Tomlinson who only has 13. Westbrook not only led the league in YAC with 804 yards, he did so by more than 160 yards over second-place Wes Welker. Don't confuse the praise for Westbrook's receiving skills as a recrimination of his rushing prowess. Westbrook had six 100-yard rushing games last year and scored seven rushing TDs for the second consecutive season. As long as Westbrook is on the field, he'll be Philly's best weapon and one of the NFL's elite fantasy options.

Backup RBs: The backup situation is in flux as the Eagles enter training camp with four backs vying for two or three backup spots. Lorenzo Booker, acquired in April for a fourth-round draft pick, is certain to play a role. A third-round pick by the Dolphins a season ago, Booker is small (5'10", 195 pounds) and struggled for the most of his rookie year. But when injuries forced him into the lineup late in the season, Booker answered with a 4.8 YPC mark, and more impressively, caught 28 passes over the last five games. It's his ability as a receiver which makes him a natural fit for Andy Reid's pass-happy offense. Veteran team leader Correll Buckhalter (5'11", 230 pounds) should stick for the final year of his contract since he gives the team not only experience but a contrasting running style.

Fullback: The Eagles let Thomas Tapeh depart and free agency and threw a lot of players against the wall this preseason to see who would stick. Jason Davis was the favorite, but couldn't make the team. Luke Lawton was given a try, and then let go. Dan Klecko got a look, but was moved back to defensive tackle. Jed Collins practiced hard, but still didn't make the 53-man roster. Who starts at fullback? How about Tony Hunt, a guy who started playing the position just a week before training camp ended. Tony Hunt (6'1", 222 pounds) was a non factor as a rookie tailback, but remains an intriguing short yardage and goal line specialist. He'll now be asked to open holes for his former fellow tailbacks.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Reggie Brown, Kevin Curtis [Inj]
Backups: DeSean Jackson [R], Greg Lewis, Hank Baskett, Jason Avant

Starting WRs: It's a good thing the Eagles signed Kevin Curtis last year, because without him, the team would've been woefully undermanned at the wide receiver position. The 5-foot-11, 186-pound precision route-runner stepped right into the offense and led the team with 1,110 yards on 77 catches. He matched a career high with six TD receptions and finished as a top-20 fantasy receiver in the process. Curtis has glue-like hands and runs great routes; he was often the team's only open receiver and their only consistent downfield threat. Expect similar production from him in his second year provided he gets back on the field from sports hernia surgery in a few weeks as doctors expect. Curtis should be on the field within a few weeks, but it's hard to bet on that given how painful sports hernias can be. Starting alongside him, at least to open the season, will be Reggie Brown. Entering his fourth season, Brown has a lot to prove after a disappointing 2007. Most expected Brown to emerge as the team's top receiver last year but a slow start seemed to zap his confidence. He finished the year with 61 receptions, 780 yards and only four TDs, regressing in almost every category from his sophomore season. The good news is Brown played much better in the second half of the season, and while he's probably never going to be a top-tier WR1, he could push for 1,000 yards and six-plus TDs if he can avoid another slow start.

Backup WRs: Donovan McNabb asked for playmakers and Andy Reid delivered him DeSean Jackson, the team's second-round draft choice in April. Jackson was a dynamic playmaker at Cal and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. He should be an instant upgrade as a punt returner, and as a slot receiver. Jackson started camp slowly but was the team's best receiver, bar none, over the final four weeks of the preseason. With Reggie Brown still battling hamstring problems and Kevin Curtis recovering from hernia surgery, Jackson could be Donovan McNabb's favorite target much sooner than the fans or coaches expected. The good news is he makes razor-sharp cuts and is a nightmare to defend in the open field. The bad news is Jackson is one of the smallest NFL players at 5-foot-9 and 169 pounds, and may have trouble breaking press coverage at the NFL level. Beyond Jackson are three hard-working but decidedly average veterans: Greg Lewis, Hank Baskett and Jason Avant.

Tight Ends

Starters: L.J. Smith
Backups: Matt Schobel, Brent Celek

Let those who gambled on L.J. Smith last year be a lesson to you; players don't recover quickly from sports hernias regardless of what they say during training camp. Hoping for a contract extension last year, Smith tried to play through the pain but only appeared in 10 games failing to net 50 receiving yards in any of them. In his place, the Eagles used duct tape in the form of veteran Matt Schobel (11/108/1) and rookie Brent Celek (16/178/1), but the truth is, neither are suitable options for a team with playoff aspirations. Despite Smith's injury-riddled 2007, the Eagles made him their franchise player this offseason and will keep him for $4.52 million. If Smith rebounds, he gives the team an above-average receiving threat that isn't a liability as a pass protector either. If he's not healthy, he'll be wearing another uniform in 2009. Both Brent Celek and Matt Schobel play roles in the offense, but it's unclear whether they will both make the roster.

Place Kicker

David Akers : 2007 was the third straight sub-par year for Akers. Last year he hits 75.0% (24 of 32) on field goals. In 2006 he made 18 of 23 (78.3%) field goals and hit only 72.7% in 2005, after having ranged from 82.8% to 88.2% the previous five years. The concern after last year is fading leg strength. While he was perfect on all 22 field goals from under 40 yards, he was only 2 of 10 from his one bread-and-butter range of 40+ yards. His kickoff numbers also declined last year, as he averaged 61.8 yards with six touchbacks. After five consecutive years in the top ten in kicker scoring, the Eagles have ranked between 20th and 23rd the last three years. On a more positive note, Akers played in all 16 games the last two years, after missing four games due to injury in 2005.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Quintin Demps; Lorenzo Booker; J.R. Reed

Fourth round draft pick safety Quintin Demps won the returner job with a blistering training camp including a 101-yard return in a preseason game. He averaged 22.4 yards on 22 returns for UTEP last year. The other primary option is RB Lorenzo Booker, who averaged 16.5 yards on four returns as a senior at Florida State. Safety J.R. Reed is a quality backup plan; he averaged 22.6 yards on 31 returns. Reed may not be the same returner he was in 2004, but he has managed to come back from the peroneal nerve damage he suffered in a fence climbing accident and is still a serviceable kickoff returner.

Punt Returners: DeSean Jackson; Quintin Demps; Brian Westbrook; J.R. Reed

DeSean Jackson averaged 16.7 yards on punt returns over the course of his college career, and scored a Pac-10 record six TDs. He is the breakaway threat that steady Reno Mahe was not. The lead punt returner role is his for now, and hopefully for years to come. Quintin Demps averaged 13.3 yards on 15 punt returns during his senior year. RB Brian Westbrook is still an explosive punt returner; however he is busy doing other things so he is not utilized often on special teams (4 returns, 19.8 avg. last year). The Eagles ranked 17th in fantasy returns last year, up from 26th the previous year.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT William Thomas, LG Todd Herremans, C Jamaal Jackson, RG Shawn Andrews, RT Jon Runyan
Key Backups: Winston Justice, Max Jean-Gilles, Nick Cole, Mike McGlynn

Commentary coming soon.

Team Defense

The statistical finishes of Philadelphia's defense last season are confusing. Built on the aggressive platform preferred by defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, those who drafted the Philadelphia defense likely did so expecting above-average sack and turnover numbers and were willing to overlook the possible hit in total points and yardage. The '07 Eagles did just the opposite. Though they finished in the middle of the pack in sacks, the Eagles were dead last in turnovers with only 19, and didn't have a single touchdown on defense or special teams. They were effective enough however, to end the season in the top 10 in both points and yardage allowed. The Philadelphia defense should be stronger this year than last. They added CB Asante Samuel and rush DE Chris Clemons in free agency. Samuel has above-average ball skills and gives the club three quality corners, alongside Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard. The Eagles have six pass rushers to choose from, starting with Trent Cole and Juqua Parker. At defensive tackle, the team has three young studs in Brodrick Bunkley, Mike Patterson and rookie Trevor Laws. The Eagles will also have playmaking FS Brian Dawkins back at full strength. Add in the return threat of rookie WR DeSean Jackson and the makings of a big statistical rebound are in the works. Be ready to take advantage of what should be a top-10 fantasy defense.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Trent Cole, DE Juqua Thomas, DT Brodrick Bunkley, DT Mike Patterson
Backups: DE Bryan Smith [R], DE Victor Abiamiri, DE Chris Clemons, DE Darren Howard, DT Trevor Laws [R], DT Dan Klecko

Starting DL: The Eagles are a different kind of team when it comes to managing their front four. While Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson are your starters in the middle, it is just as likely to see Trevow Laws or Dan Klecko in the lineup simply because the Eagles like to change their line as often as a hockey team switches their lineup. Philadelphia like to change DEs even more often, and they have good depth after Trent Cole (team leader in 2007 in sacks) and Juqua Parker. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson likes to keep everyone fresh, and his aggressive schemes ensure plenty of pass rush opportunities.

Backup DL: With Jim Johnson's aggressive defense, the Eagles like to use eight (or more) players for their front four throughout the game. This means that the backups are almost as likely to see snaps as the starters, so look for Darren Howard, Chris Clemons, Trevor Laws and Dan Klecko in most contests. Second year player Victor Abiamiri projects as an eventual starter, but must recover from a wrist injury that will persist into the season.

Linebackers

Starters: MLB Stewart Bradley, WLB Omar Gaither, SLB Chris Gocong
Backups: LB Akeem Jordan, LB Joe Mays [R], LB Tank Daniels

Starting LBs: Philadelphia is prepared to go with their full-fledged youth movement at linebacker for the 2008 season. Takeo Spikes was let go this past offseason, and now the Eagles turn to Stewart Bradley (MIKE) and Omar Gaither (WILL) to anchor the linebacking corps. Bradley will be on the field nearly every down as he will be wearing the special helmet with the coaches' speaker, so look for him to be a big contributor on defense this season. Gaither showed strong promise last season and Gocong has solid athletic ability, but is the likeliest candidate to be off the field in nickel passing situations. All three have good tackling and quickness, a plus for the Eagles who have been known for overlooking the position as a whole in previous seasons. These three could be their best starting group in several years for Philadelphia.

Backup LBs: The Eagles had a ton of linebackers in camp but broke with just three backups. Rookie Joe Mays (Round 6, North Dakota State) will contribute on special teams while also serving as the lone backup at MLB. Akeem Jordan made the final roster as he impressed last year after making the practice squad as an undrafted free agent and then making the 53-man roster when Matt McCoy was released. Tank Daniels was acquired a day after the Giants cut him.

Defensive Backs

Starters: FS Brian Dawkins, SS Quintin Mikell, CB Asante Samuel, CB Sheldon Brown
Backups: CB: Lito Sheppard, SS Sean Considine, FS Quintin Demps [R], CB Joselio Hanson, FS J.R. Reed

Starting DBs: The Eagles added arguably the biggest name in free agency this past offseason by signing Asante Samuel away from New England. They immediately handed him the starting spot at left cornerback and penciled in Sheldon Brown at the right, leaving Lito Sheppard as the odd man out. Philadelphia was one of the worst teams at forcing turnovers last season (just 11 interceptions) so adding Samuel should be a big help in bolstering defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's defense. The Eagles like to attack on defense, blitzing and putting some pressure on their corners. With Brown and Samuel, they have the skill players, and a ball hawk, to be a Top 10 defense once again. At safety, Brian Dawkins is returning once again and appears to be healthy - at least enough for one more go-around. He is the veteran leader of the secondary and has a knack for making the big play at just the right time. Quentin Mikell is a big hitter and was much better in coverage than Sean Considine, the man he replaces.

Backup DBs: Despite numerous attempts (or rumored attempts) by the Eagles to trade Lito Sheppard, he remains in Philly. That may not be such a bad thing, as the NFC East has quite a few teams with three or more receiving threats, a more common setup across the league. Philadelphia's ability to line up three solid (and Pro-Bowl caliber) corners is a big plus. Sheppard is also a health risk, so moving him down to nickel corner makes sense from a defensive scheme point of view. Joselio Hanson looks to be the fourth option at corner for the Eagles in 2008. At safety, Sean Considine will be demoted to the third safety in 2008, losing his role to Mikell. The Eagles added Quintin Demps in the 2008 NFL Draft in Round 4 from UTEP who likely will push for playing time in the dime and should start by 2009.

Last modified: 2008-08-31 22:46:19