The Dream Team.
Superbowl Contender.
Lombardi or Bust.
A lot has been made of the 2011 Eagles – the additions of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jason Babin, Steve Smith, Vince Young, Ronnie Brown, and, of course, Nnamdi Asomugha (million of Philadelphians are still practicing that one) signaled to all national media outlets that it was time to over-hype and slather on crazy expectations for this year’s Birds.
But the Eagles certainly still have issues to contend with, most notably on the defensive side of the football. With the exception of Trent Cole, there are no dominating pass rushers on the D-line and their linebacking crew has been decimated by injuries and player departures, spurring many questions in front of the now-lethal secondary. This is in addition to a brand new defensive coordinator in Juan Castillo who has no experience on that side of the ball.
The offensive power is pretty solidified at this point and no one can really argue with the bevvy of top fantasy football options at the big positions: Vick at the helm with McCoy in the backfield, as well as weapons in front of them like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Steve Smith and even Brent Celek and Jason Avant. Will Vick shake off any lingering issues preventing him from being a top-notch QB? We’ll see, but I certainly don’t miss Kevin Kolb and anyone who does is an idiot. The O-line should improve as well with new offensive line coach Howard Mudd and some young blood from the draft.
Wildcard – the departure of David Akers, kicker and the highest-scoring NFL player of the past decade. Eagles fans could sleep through most field goal attempts, but that comfort is long gone with newly-drafted kicker Alex Henery.
The fact of the matter is that the Eagles will be good this season, especially if they stay healthy. They’ll probably win 11 games. That will probably be good enough to win the NFC East this season. Wonderful. But the major question is still Vick, and him getting over that hump that prevents him from being brilliant all of the time.
And if we don’t go all the way this year, someone is getting a cheesesteak to the head.
Rainman Suite 