The Philadelphia Eagles have missed the playoffs only 3 times in the last 11 seasons – 2005, 2007, and of course last year’s Vince Young-labeled “Dream Team.” The moniker of the “Dream Team” however is now gone, as is Vince Young. While expectations are still high in Philadelphia, the rest of the NFL world has cooled on the 2012 version of the Eagles. The Giants are coming off their second Super Bowl win in the past 4 seasons and head into this season as the favorite to win the division. Many experts though seem to have split predictions between the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys; who could all take home the NFC East title in 2012.
Philadelphia started last season 4-8, losing winnable games against the Falcons, 49ers, Bills, and Cardinals. During this 12 game stretch, the Eagles averaged 7.33 points given up in the 4th quarter. In a league where wins often come down to last second field goals, and where 4th quarter comebacks are an actual quarterback statistic, the final 15 minutes of a game is vital. But performance in the 4th quarter was not the only weakness of last year’s squad. Philadelphia ranked 30th out of 32 teams, with a turnover differential of minus 14 on the season; this included 14 interceptions thrown by Michael Vick in just 13 games. However the offense did show promise at times, and ended up 8th in the league in scoring at 24.8 points per game. A full offseason of preparation between Michael Vick, and skill players such as DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy should lead to fewer mistakes and more cohesiveness on offense this season.
The Eagles defense, like the offense, showed promise in 2012. They ranked 10th in the league in points given up with 20.5 per game, but couldn’t seem to keep their opponents out of the end zone when it mattered the most. A new defense utilizing “wide 9″ technique defensive ends was utilized last year and shows signs of producing more success in year 2 as players gain more familiarity with the system. The overall theme surrounding the 2012 Eagles is more continuity and familiarity with each other and the playbook, which in turn should lead to fewer mistakes that cost them so dearly a season ago.
Head coach Andy Reid begins his 14th season at the helm of the Eagles. He is the longest tenured head coach in the NFL and has amassed a 126-81-1 regular season record, while going 10-9 in the playoffs and has made one Super Bowl appearance with the Eagles. Some wonder if 2012 may be Reid’s last season in Philly, as team owner Jeffery Laurie has yet to renew his contract beyond this season. Laurie recently stated that “We need substantial improvement. We have a very good team on paper, and paper doesn’t get you that far if you don’t maximize it.” However Reid is a player’s coach and hasn’t let comments like this affect his teams’ performances in the past. He has formed a strong bond with the members of the current Eagles team, and after the untimely passing of his son, Garrett, it is likely we will see the players fight even harder for Reid, just like he has fought for them.
Perhaps not since the St Louis Rams “Greatest Show on Turf” has a more electric group of offensive skill players been assembled on one team. With Michael Vick at quarterback, all-pro running back LeSean McCoy, and Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson at wide receiver, the Eagles have players that can stretch the field and break big plays. Vick followed up his impressive 2010 season with an injury and interception laden 2011, both of which he will look to improve on in 2012. If he can stay healthy, look for Vick to put up big numbers this season. If not, rookie Nick Foles looked impressive in the preseason and could become a breakout star if Vick misses a significant portion of the season due to injury.
LeSean McCoy has quickly transformed himself into one of the best running backs in the league and in 3 seasons has vaulted himself from backup to starter to star. If the 2012 Eagles are the new “Greatest Show on Turf” they couldn’t have picked a better “Marshall Faulk” style running back then McCoy. Last season McCoy rushed for 1,309 yards and amassed 20 total touchdowns. His skills as an elite pass catching running back were also on clear display, and his blocking ability has improved enough to make him an every down back. While quarterbacks remain the preseason favorite for NFL MVP this season (Brady, Brees, Rodgers) don’t be surprised if McCoy sneaks his way into that discussion by season’s end. Vick and McCoy are the two most vital cogs in this Eagles offensive machine and their 2012 season rests on the shoulders of these two men.
The Eagles receiving core is young, athletic, and looking to improve after a disappointing 2011. DeSean Jackson is coming off of a season he would like to forget: contract disputes, negative interactions with head coach Andy Reid, and a poor effort and attitude led to the worst season of Jackson’s career in 2011. After inking a new 5 year $47 million contract this offseason look for him to have a bounce back season in 2012. Jackson made back to back Pro Bowl appearances in 2009 and 2010, and looks to vault back into the upper echelon of wide receivers this season. Lined up opposite of Jackson is former Missouri Tiger Jeremy Maclin. In 2011 Maclin had 63 catches for 859 yards and 5 touchdowns. His on field production slipped slightly from the previous, but this could be attributed to inconsistent quarterback play, the drama of the DeSean Jackson contract situation, and a lockout-shortened offseason.
Joining Jackson and Maclin are 3rd wide out Jason Avant and tight end Brent Celek, both of whom have soft hands and provide Michael Vick with reliable pass catching options. Avant is in his 6th season out of Michigan and has arguably the best hands of any Eagles pass catcher. He has become Vick’s go to target on 3rd down situations. Celek had the best year of his career in 2011 with 811 yards and 5 receiving touchdowns. In 5 seasons as an Eagle he has vaulted himself to the brink of elite tight end status, and looks to make the leap into stardom this season. The Eagles receiving core is talented, and if they play to their potential this should be a top 5 unit in 2012.
The Achilles heel to the Eagles vaunted offense has to be the offensive line. All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters will miss the season after suffering a tendon injury in his foot during the offseason. This leaves a thin offensive front in even worse shape. Former Buffalo Bill Demetrius Bell was brought in to take the place of Peters, but was unimpressive in preseason, often struggling with Howard Mudd’s zone blocking scheme. This leaves Bell on the outside looking in, as King Dunlap is slated to start the 1st game at left tackle.
Anchoring the opposite side of the line is right tackle Todd Herremans. Like most Eagles offensive linemen, Herremans has played multiple line positions during his Eagles tenure. The former guard was moved to right tackle before the start of last season due to injuries, and ended up starting all 16 games there. Inside Herremans and Dunlap are Evan Mathis and former Baylor Bear Danny Watkins. They are two very athletic guards that fit Philadelphia’s blocking scheme very well and could be the offensive line’s greatest strength. Second year center Jason Kelce will man the middle as he started all 16 games at center last season as a rookie, and will look to continue that streak in 2012. The starting offensive line for the Eagles has talent, athleticism, and continuity and should improve from the previous season. Depth could be an issue for this squad though, and if the injury bug bites, Michael Vick could spend a good portion of this season running for his life.
With the preseason over and the NFL regular season almost upon us, we are once again reminded that many people view the preseason as a waste. Four meaningless games played by players that won’t be on the roster when the 1st regular season game begins, some argue. And while the preseason may become monotonous, and yes I agree, watching Peyton Manning, and Michael Vick, and Calvin Johnson sit on the sidelines while other less talented, less heralded players are out there can be frustrating at times. If one pays attention to the preseason though, it can serve as a great indicator of a team’s coming regular season, and certain players and plays can open eyes and turn heads.
Watching Philadelphia’s 2012 preseason showed this writer one thing above all else. The defensive front of the Eagles appears to be athletic, deep, well coached, and might be the best unit in football. “Sack masters” Trent Cole and Jason Babin are the starting ends and know how to terrorize opposing quarterbacks, running backs, and any blockers set out to stop them. The two had a combined 29 sacks between them in 2011, and look to continue their successes in 2012.
The Eagles will use a rotation on the defensive line, especially at defensive end, thus keeping constant pressure on the quarterback. Former 1st round pick Brandon Graham and 2nd round rookie Vinny Curry look to be in the 2nd wave of Eagles pass rushers. Curry is a monstrous end from Marshall, and Graham who was slowed by injuries the past 2 seasons, looks to have a break out 2012. Between the ends are starting defensive tackles Cullen Jenkins and Derek Landri. Jenkins had an excellent 2011 with 40 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks, a year removed from winning a Super Bowl title with the Packers. Landri will start beside Jenkins and will take the place of long time Eagles stalwart Mike Patterson, who will miss the season due to injury. Rookie Fletcher Cox, who brings size and speed to the position, will push Landri for the starting position throughout the season, and will likely see significant playing time in the coming months. This unit looks to apply constant pressure and become a fixture in opponents’ backfields throughout the coming months.
The linebacker core of the Eagles was tested greatly by their new defensive scheme last season. They only allowed 324.9 yards per game, ranking 8th out of 32 teams last season; however, those watching the games saw too many gaping holes for running backs to do damage in. Former Houston Texan DeMeco Ryans was brought in to stabilize the linebackers, and bring veteran leadership to the bunch. Ryans is a 2 time Pr Bowler and has amassed 636 tackles over his career. Lining up on one side of the former Texan is long time Eagle Akeem Jordan. Jordan is a safe choice over the more physically gifted Brian Rolle, and could possibly get beaten out by the more athletic Rolle at some point this season. The other outside linebacker position belongs to rookie Mychal Kendricks. Kendricks looked extremely impressive throughout the preseason flying all over the field to make plays. He is a 2nd round rookie out of Cal and has been penciled in as a strong side linebacker since training camp. These 3 men are expected to drastically improve an Eagles line backing core that has been lacking in recent years.
The overall strength of the Eagles defense throughout the last decade has been the secondary. From Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor, Brian Dawkins, and Asante Samuel, to Nnamdi Asomugha, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie the Eagles have been blessed with great secondaries in years past. This year’s group however looks to be on the decline with the loss of Samuel and nickel back Joselio Hansen. Asomugha is widely considered as the second best corner in the game, after Darrelle Revis, and Cromartie is a more then capable number 2. The real question though is who will replace the sneaky Samuel, who amassed 23 interceptions in his 4 years with the Eagles. Hansen was expected to fill this position but was a surprise roster cut last week. Rookie Brandon Boykin looks to have the inside track and must have a solid rookie season for the Eagles defense to be successful. Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen are expected to man the middle of the field as the safeties. Coleman was responsible for 78 tackles and 4 interceptions in his 1st full season as a starter last year. Allen, like Coleman, is in his 3rd season and looks to improve from his previous one. With the talent of the Eagles defensive front 7, the secondary should have an easier task this season then in seasons’ past. If they are able to lock down receivers and let the defensive line create havoc the defense should be greatly improved from last season.
Alex Henery was the Eagles 4th round draft pick out of Nebraska in 2011. As a rookie he connected on 24-27 of his field goals, and looks to improve on his range this year, expanding out into 50+ yard territory consistently. Henery will perform the kicking duties, while fellow 2nd year player Chas Henry will handle punting responsibilities. The Eagles held an open competition for the punter position in the preseason and the job was won out Henry. He signed with the Eagles as a rookie last season out of Florida, and averaged 42.9 yards per punt a season ago. Veteran Mat Mcbriar was brought in to compete for the starting position, and while many thought he would beat out the youngster, Henry was able to win the competition and reclaim his position. Returning punts and kicks this season looks to be Damarius Johnson, an undrafted rookie out of Tulsa. The Eagles signed him as a free agent to be their main kickoff and punt returner. He is a speed guy with great athleticism, and while some question his work ethic and character, none question his overall skill. Fellow rookie Brandon Boykin also returned kicks and punts during the preseason but is slated as the starting nickel back and this should therefore limit his return duties.
2012 is a new year for Philadelphia Eagles football, and like all years before, it starts without a Super Bowl title in the previous season. If there were ever a year for a Super Bowl in Philly, this would be the season. Immense talent, more than in the Donavon McNabb Era, and tempered expectations make the Eagles a dangerous outside favorite to win their 1st title. However depth on the offensive line and in the defensive backfield could be an issue, as well as the health of Michael Vick.
Last season has to be considered an absolute bust, and if 2012 ends the same, Andy Reid could find himself no longer with the club. The outlook however looks bright for this group and this writer believes they are in the upper echelon of teams in the league. An NFC East title and a trip to the conference championship should be the goal, if not more.
