Last year was supposed to be a new beginning for coach Andy Reid and his young starting quarterback, Kevin Kolb. But two weeks into the season, the team took a detour. Kolb was out, Michael Vick was in, and the Eagles went from borderline playoff contenders to Super Bowl threats. Although they lost to eventual champion Green Bay in a wild-card game, the groundwork for another Super Bowl run in 2011 was laid.
If Vick can take another step in his development and become an accurate passer and Reid can patch holes on the offensive line and in the secondary, the Eagles will enter this season as one of the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
What’s new
Offense: The team lost veteran center Jamaal Jackson to a biceps tear in the season opener, and right tackle Winston Justice’s late-season knee injury led to the collapse of the right side of the line and vulnerability against the pass rush that hampered Vick’s play.
But Reid used the draft to make upgrades, starting with first-rounder Danny Watkins, who should start immediately, probably at right guard. Fifth-round guard Julian Vandervelde and sixth-round center Jason Kelce will compete for immediate reserve spots inside. Watkins will team with All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters and underrated left guard Todd Herremans to reinvigorate the most critical unit of Reid’s offense.
Running back LeSean McCoy’s development as a reliable pass catcher helped him grow into a dangerous weapon in an offense that doesn’t emphasize the power running game. McCoy’s speed and lateral quickness are ideal for the position, but he still needs to add muscle and become a greater presence in short-yardage and goal-line scenarios.
Defense: The team promoted longtime offensive line coach Juan Castillo to defensive coordinator and brought in renowned defensive line coach Jim Washburn in an attempt to remedy an ineffective pass rush and abysmal red-zone defense that cost Sean McDermott his job.
Castillo, a former linebacker, has hinted that he’ll be more involved with coaxing production out of his linebackers and defensive backs while Washburn will preside over defensive line rotations and personnel. Castillo has also suggested the team maintain the aggressive schemes put forth by the late Jim Johnson but rely more on pressure from the front four rather than exotic blitzes to rattle opposing quarterbacks.
No position on the Eagles lacks stability more than the linebacker unit, where the names seem to change every year. The surprising late-season play of 2010 seventh-round pick Jamar Chaney in the middle and the addition of 2011 fourth-rounder Casey Matthews allows the Eagles to move Stewart Bradley from the middle to the strong side, where he played in college. Last year’s strongside ’backer, 2009 seventh-round pick Moise Fokou, will compete with 2010 fourth-round pick Keenan Clayton on the weak side.
Opponent’s view
(An anonymous opponent breaks down the Eagles)
“They have a really fast offense—(Jeremy) Maclin, DeSean (Jackson), (Michael) Vick and Shady (LeSean McCoy). The tight end (Brent Celek) can even get down the middle of the field. Their team is always going to be fast and quick. The only bad thing I see with Philly is they’re a big-hit team. They’re not going to pound you. They don’t have a bruising halfback. That’s where I think Green Bay haunted them (in the playoffs). They got into that mode of wanting to pass, and Green Bay wanted to force them to do that. …
“On defense, they don’t have a lot of natural pass rushers, but the last two drafts they’ve drafted pretty good players. That’s what I like about their picks. They’re trying to find a way to keep it balanced. But I don’t think they have playmakers (on defense). (Asante) Samuel, I guess you can say is a cover corner, but I don’t think he’s a tackler. To me, he’s more like a great cover 2 corner that knows how to bait you.”
Bottom line
The team’s chance of going to the Super Bowl depends on three main areas: the offensive line’s improvement, Vick’s continued development and the defense’s adjustment to the new coaches. The first two go hand in hand, as Vick’s maturation can’t happen if the line doesn’t protect him. The third depends on injuries. The team has two key defensive players (safety Nate Allen and end Brandon Graham) coming off major surgery.
If those three criteria are met, there’s no limit to what the Eagles can accomplish.
Breakout candidate
Darryl Tapp, DE: Expect more from Tapp, who came over last season in a trade with Seattle and adjusted to an unfamiliar role as a nickel defensive tackle, in his second year with the team. New line coach Jim Washburn’s impact should accent Tapp’s pass-rushing acumen. Pencil him in for at least six sacks off the bench.
"D-Tapp, he’s going to have at least 10 sacks by the end of the year. Let me tell you, I’m going to set the bar for him. I know he works hard every day. If he has a great year, I'll know why. I see him working every day." —DE Brandon Graham
Depth chart
Offense
QB Michael Vick, Mike Kafka
FB Owen Schmitt, Stanley Havili
RB LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis
WR DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper
WR Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant
TE Brent Celek, Clay Harbor
LT Jason Peters, Austin Howard
LG Todd Herremans, Julian Vandervelde
C Jamaal Jackson, Jason Kelce
RG Danny Watkins, Mike McGlynn
RT Winston Justice, King Dunlap
Defense
DE Juqua Parker, Brandon Graham
DT Antonio Dixon, Brodrick Bunkley
DT Mike Patterson, Trevor Laws
DE Trent Cole, Darryl Tapp
SLB Stewart Bradley, Moise Fokou
MLB Jamar Chaney, Casey Matthews
WLB Keenan Clayton, Brian Rolle
LCB Asante Samuel, Curtis Marsh
SS Jaiquawn Jarrett, Kurt Coleman
FS Nate Allen, Jamar Adams
RCB Trevard Lindley, Joselio Hanson
Specialists
K Alex Henery
P Sav Rocca
KR Sinorice Moss
PR Chad Hall
LS Jon Dorenbos
