Aug 29 2008
A quick look at the Eagles’ Offense
With the NFL season quickly approaching, we’re going to briefly examine the 2008 Eagles on both sides of the ball. As has been the case since he became a starter, the team’s success falls squarely on the shoulders of Donovan McNabb. If McNabb can stay healthy, which is a big IF, the Eagles have a chance to be Super Bowl contenders. Hopefully, the SI cover jinx doesn’t lead to a Week 1 injury, but in Philadelphia you always have to expect the worst and hope for the not so bad. However, I do like what I have been seeing from QB of the future Kevin Kolb this pre-season. He reminds me a bit of Jeff Garcia, which is OK, but it’s not gonna bring a championship to this town. Hopefully, we get to watch a full season of McNabb and don’t have to worry about Kolb under center full time until 2009 or 2010. As long as McNabb is capable, I want to see him in Eagles green every Sunday.
At running back, the Eagles have arguably the best weapon in the NFL in the form of Brian “B-West” Westbrook. I expect him to improve on his 2007 numbers and anything less would be a major disappointment in my eyes. He will need to carry the offensive load, along with McNabb, and this team could bounce back in a major way. However, an injury to B-West would be devastating. I am curious to see how Andy Reid will utilize Westbrook and Lorenzo “Poor man’s Brian Westbrook” Booker when the games actually count. I think the Eagles have been hyping Booker’s training camp exploits a bit too much. Overall, with Westbrook, Booker, and Buckhalter, I like the Eagles running backs. If Tony “Please teach me how to block so I can make the team and finally give the Eagles a fullback with some talent” Hunt can become a reliable fullback, that would also be greatly appreciated.
Wide Receiver is where things start to get sticky. #1 wideout Kevin Curtis? Out for a while. Reggie Brown? Apparently he is made of paper and can’t stay healthy long enough to get on the field. That leaves stud rookie DeSean Jackson, Hank Baskett, Jason “Don’t call me T.O.” Avant, and Greg “GLew” Lewis as McNabb’s targets. The Eagles receiving corps is the exact opposite of what Tom Brady was throwing to in 2007. I’m really excited to see what Jackson can do to the punt return game. He’s already proven that he’s a game-changer in the pre-season game against the Patriots when he had a 76-yard return for a touchdown. I’m looking forward to Dr. DeSean make a few house calls this season. Besides Jackson, I can’t get excited about any of them. And Jackson could get broken in half at any moment since he weighs about 28 pounds if he’s soaking wet and wearing clothes three sizes to big. Hopefully Curtis can get back soon and Brown can finally stay healthy and reach his potential, but I’m not holding my breath.
At tight end, I am hopeful that LJ Smith will stay healthy and have at least close to a career year. He needs to step up big time with the injuries to Curtis and Brown and the inexperience/unproven-ness of the other wide outs. If he can be solid, it will take a lot of the pressure off of Donny Mac. I also like what I’ve been seeing out of Brent Celek. He’s got nice hands and runs excellent routes. As an Eagles fan, you have to be satisfied with what you see from tight end
Ultimately, the success of the offense will hinge on the success of the offensive line. Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas are both superb at the tackles and Shawn Andrews is a Pro Bowler waiting to happen each season. Jamal Jackson at center and Todd Herremans at the other guard are both serviceable, but nothing that will make you get all hot and bothered. If the o-line can stay healthy, which like McNabb is a major IF, the offense can flourish.
If McNabb and Westbrook can play up to their great abiliities and the offensive line says healthy, you would have to be foolish to think that the Eagles will not be in the hunt for their first championship since 1960.
