The Eagles Have a Shot at Greatness in 2009

This off-season has been such a tremendous ride so far, such an emotional series of events that have given the Eagles a shot at greatness in 2009. I'm going to watch and learn a little bit more about the Eagles, all the new faces and all the returning players. My feeling is that the Eagles have the pieces in place to win a Super Bowl this season. That is the expectation. That is the bar. Nothing else is acceptable for a franchise that has been so close so many times in the Andy Reid era. There remains a conditioning program to continue, a passing camp to conduct and a series of Organized Team Activities to finish off the practices before training camp begins late in the summer at Lehigh University. I'm into it. All of it. Let's talk Eagles every day, 24 hours a day. I hope you feel what I'm feeling, that the Eagles are legit, that the off-season reminds you of what happened from 2003 to 2004 and that 2004 was, indeed, special. The players know what they have on this roster. They know that the infusion of new players (the veteran free agents, the rookie class) makes this team deep and talented. The Eagles knew they needed a boost to get over the hump after the tough loss in Arizona, and when you do what the Eagles did in free agency and in the draft, everybody sees the impact. The Eagles are good. The Eagles have a chance to be very good. They need to take it one step at a time and do the right things and get some luck along the way, but there sure is every reason to think the team should contend from the very first moment of the season. Ask a coach where he thinks the team needs to get better, and he correctly answers that every area must improve. Yeah, the Eagles have to be better in the red zone. And of course they have to run the ball more efficiently. Oh, and they sure have to get off to a good start rather than having to wait until December to be in a win-or-go-home scenario. I could go on and on. And I probably will throughout the rest of the off-season. I just can't wait for September to get here, and I figure that if I stay really, really, really busy, the time will fly by and we'll be watching the regular season unfold in front of our eyes in no time. I can't wait.

The Eagles spent a large portion of their assets in the off-season addressing the offense, but there are some notable battles to watch on a defense that ranked third in the league in 2008 and is aiming for more this season. Juqua Parker and Victor Abiamiri are splitting reps with the first-team defense at left end, and it appears they will battle for the starting job when training camp arrives in a virtual dead heat. Omar Gaither continues to push to get his starting job back at the WILL linebacker spot, where Akeem Jordan is currently holding down the fort and playing fast in this camp. The cornerback group is talented and hungry and experienced with starters as Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown lead the way as starters here. So how does the defense improve from last year? It does so by having young players, like Demps, mature into their new roles. It happens by adding a veteran like Ellis Hobbs to an already-deep group of cornerbacks, and by bringing in veterans like Jones and Baker at safety. It has been a tough off-season for Mikell and the rest of the Eagles' defense. Less than 10 days after the loss to the Cardinals, they learned that beloved defensive coordinator Jim Johnson had cancer. A month after that came word that the defense's leader, seven-time Pro Bowl free safety Brian Dawkins, had signed with the Denver Broncos. Not a whole lot has changed when you look out and see Jim Johnson's defense line up. Same frantic pre-snap movement. Same juggling of personnel. Same aggressive approach to pressure the line of scrimmage. There is no No. 20, and while that may qualify as a cataclysmic change in some Eagles' fans eyes (mine included), the departure of B'Dawk is the only real difference in the front-line rotation of players on this defense. That the Eagles must replace him is, of course, an obvious challenge for 2009. He brought so much emotional fury and dedication to the game that we can only hope that players like Quintin Demps, who is the starting free safety at the moment, learned enough in a year's time spent with Dawkins to successfully make the transition when the games begin. Truthfully, between second-year man Quintin Demps, who will get first crack at the starting free safety job, and newcomer Sean Jones, the Eagles shouldn't have too much trouble replacing Dawkins the player. Replacing Dawkins the leader, though, will be a lot more difficult.

Now the rookies have a sense of what is expected. And the coaching staff has a sense, just a notion, of what the rookies might be able to do this season. The Eagles are in a position where they don't necessarily need a rookie to start right now, but sometimes it just happens. I want to savor every minute of what I think is going to be a fantastic season, one to remember. I'm going to enjoy the ride, and I urge you to do the same. The Eagles have given us quite a series of thrills in the weeks that were since January. What's ahead is going to be worth the wait. I hope.

Waymond D. Horton

Eagles do Good on Draft Day

Well the Draft is over and lets see how the Eagles did. Before we start on who they picked up lets take a good look at what they need and which need is the biggest. The Eagles filled a big need at offensive tackle by trading the second of their two first-round picks to Buffalo for Jason Peters, but they probably should work on their offensive line depth anyway maybe late in the draft. Finding a running back to compliment Brian Westbrook is certainly a priority, but like I've been saying for some time now picking up a big Wide Receiver or a good receiving TE has to be their top offensive priority. On defense Quinton Demps most likely will be taking over Brian Dawkins position (Who is going to take his place as leader?) The Eagles most likely will pick up a DB of some kind to help with depth. So from this we should see them pick up a WR, a RB, and a DB as quick as possible then work on some depth positions probably on the OL. Now lets see what they actually did.

• Round 1: Pick 19 :
  Jeremy Maclin (WR)
  Height: 6'0"
  Weight: 198
  College: Missouri
  Conference: Big 12
  Hometown: Kirkwood, MO
  High School: Kirkwood
  40 Yard Dash : 4.48 seconds
  
  The Eagles made a move to grab a prolific playmaker with their first round picks. In just two seasons at Missouri, Maclin established himself as one of college football's most dangerous offensive threats, he found the end zone a total of 32 times in 28 contests. He is the only player in Missouri history to score on a reception, a rushing attempt, a punt return, and a kickoff return. He is just the third player in NCAA history to average more than 200 all-purpose yards per game during a career (202.36 ypg). His 2,776 all-purpose yards in 2007 set a major college single-season record for freshmen. The following season, he became the sixth player in NCAA annals to amass more than 2,800 all-purpose yards in a season (2,833). In addition Maclin's 1,346 yards in total kick returns in 2007 was two yards shy of the NCAA single-season record. He became one of only two major college players (Derek Abney of Kentucky 2000-03) to ever gain more than 2,000 yards receiving and more than 2,000 yards in kickoff returns during a career, with Maclin accomplishing that feat in only two seasons. Maclin burst onto the scene in 2007, becoming the first freshman in school history to earn All-American first-team honors. He set the NCAA freshman single-season record with 2,776 all-purpose yards, scoring a total of 16 times on 199 touches. In 2008, he became the sixth player in league history to catch more than 100 passes (102) in a season, gaining 1,260 yards (12.4 avg) with 13 touchdowns. He became the first Big 12 player to score on a kickoff return, punt return, rushing attempt and reception in more than one season. He would also become only the second major college player to gain more than 1,000 kickoff return yards (1,010) in back-to-back seasons. Maclin's average of 73.18 yards per game gained on kickoff returns is the best since Steve Odom of Utah set the NCAA record (78.24 ypg, 1971-73). Maclin's 1,346 yards in total kick returns in 2007 was two yards shy of the NCAA single-season record.
  Conclusion: The Eagles lack of a big receiver can possibly be overcome with DeSean Jackson and Maclin on the field at the same time. Much like Jackson, whether lining up in the slot, at split end, flanker or coming out of the backfield, Maclin's vision and superb quickness forces the defense to account for him on every play. he has the requisite skills to shine in the Eagles’ West Coast offense, and he's a threat to score from anywhere on the field, just like Jackson. This combination will give the Eagles the ability to unveil an explosive passing attack that mixes a short passing game with a vertical attack. With both Jackson and Maclin on the field defenses will have a hard time trying to cover them both and could be in trouble. A good pick and a possible solution for the Eagle's WR troubles.
• Round 2:
  Pick 53 :
  LeSean McCoy (RB)
  Height: 5'10"
  Weight: 198
  College: Pittsburgh
  Conference: Big East
  Hometown: Harrisburg, PA
  High School: Bishop McDevitt
  Bench Press : 22.0 reps
  
  McCoy became an instant sensation upon his arrival at Pittsburgh in 2007. He was a unanimous Freshman All-American and named to the All-Big East Conference first team. He was the Big East Rookie of the Year, and with a ranking of 21st overall led the nation's freshmen with an average of 110.67 yards per game rushing. He set the Big East freshman rushing record with 1,328 yards on 276 carries (4.8 avg.) and 14 touchdowns. He pulled down 33 passes for 244 yards averaging 7.4 ypc, and one touchdown. He placed third in the league with an average of 131.0 all-purpose yards per game. As a first-year player he also broke Dorsett's 1973 record of 78 points and 13 scores to set a new freshman single-season record of 90 points scored and 15 total touchdowns at Pittsburgh. As a sophomore, McCoy garnered All-America second-team and All-Big East first-team honors. He was a semi-finalist for the Maxwell Award (nation's top player) and Doak Walker Award (top running back). He produced 21 touchdowns on 308 rushing attempts for 1,488 yards averaging 4.8 ypc. He caught 32 passes for 305 yards (9.5 avg.) and finished third in the league with an average of 139.15 all-purpose yards per game. He scored 36 times, in just 25 games as a Panther, including 35 rushing. He ranked second in the nation in scoring as a freshman (9.69 ppg) and eighth as a sophomore (7.50 ppg). He achieved his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2008, joining Tony Dorsett (1973-76) and Curvin Richards (1988-89) as the only players in Pittsburgh history to record multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. His 35 touchdown runs also broke the freshman/sophomore combined record of 24 by Dorsett during the 1973-74 campaigns. Along the way, McCoy's 36 total touchdowns also helped him break the school, Big East Conference and NCAA record of 34 scores held by receiver Larry Fitzgerald (2002-03) for most touchdowns produced by a player as a freshman and sophomore.
  Conclusion: McCoy has been favorably compared to Pittsburgh's Hall of Fame tailback, Tony Dorsett, who recently stated, "This is the first player who has come along who truly reminds me of me." As far as I'm concerned, Enough Said. Another good pick giving the Eagles a great one two punch with Westbrook and McCoy.
• Round 5:
  Pick 153 :
  Cornelius Ingram (TE)
  Height: 6'4"
  Weight: 245
  College: Florida
  Conference: SEC
  Hometown: Hawthorne, FL
  High School: Hawthorne
  40 Yard Dash : 4.68 seconds
  Bench Press : 21.0 reps
  Vertical Jump : 33.0 inches
  3 Cone Drill : 7.12 seconds
  20 Yard Shuttle : 4.53 seconds
  
  Ingram was ranked as the best quarterback and overall player on the GatorCountry.com Top 101 list. The two-time Class 1A All-State selection in both football and basketball, he threw for more than 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2003. For the hoops squad, he averaged more than 25 points per game as a shooting guard during his junior season. In 2004, Ingram enrolled at Florida. He arrived at Florida as a heralded prep quarterback and even joined the school's renowned basketball program in 2004. The 206-pound passer impressed the staff by running a 4.5 40-yard dash during fall camp, but he would spend the year with the scout team. He later joined the 2004-05 Gators basketball squad, playing in 19 games as a shooting guard before returning to football for spring drills. He was Considered to be the best athlete in the football program, but it was a long road for him, because he was constantly switching positions during his first few years as a Gator, before finding a home at tight end. He became a full-time wide receiver in 2006, and was used as a slot receiver/H-back hybrid, allowing the 6-foot-4, 230-pound red shirt sophomore to create mismatches in the secondary. He started twice while appearing in 14 games, finishing fifth on the team with 30 receptions for 380 yards (12.7 avg) and a touchdown. Ingram shifted to tight end in 2007, and saw action in 13 games, including five starting assignments. He caught 34 passes, good for fourth on the team, as he totaled 508 yards (14.9 avg) with seven touchdowns. Ingram had a sensational spring camp and was primed to have a breakout season in 2008 for the Gators; however, early in August camp, he suffered an injury (torn left ACL) and had to miss the season. Based on his performance at the NFL Combine, however, it is safe to assume that he is well on the road to full recovery.
  Conclusion: Did I say the Eagles needed a big receiver? This pick may prove to be the best pick of this draft. The Eagles nab one of the best athletes at the TE position. He is capable of stretching the field with his speed, and he could be an impact playmaker in the offense. Not only is he big, strong, fast, with good hands, but he is versatile, and able to be used in many unconventional ways. I expect to see a lot of this kid as soon as he is fully recovered from his ACL injury.
• Pick 157 :
  Victor Harris (CB)
  Height: 5'11"
  Weight: 187
  College: Virginia Tech
  Conference: ACC
  Hometown: Highland Springs, VA
  High School: Highland Springs
  40 Yard Dash : 4.68 seconds
  Vertical Jump : 33.5 inches
  Broad Jump : 118.0 inches
  3 Cone Drill : 6.68 seconds
  20 Yard Shuttle : 3.98 seconds
  
  Harris lettered as a true freshman at Virginia Tech in 2005, seeing most of his action on special teams. He blocked a kick, deflected two passes, and produced 12 tackles (7 solos) for the coverage units. He beat out incumbent Roland Minor for the field cornerback position in 2006. He picked off four passes, returning one for the first of his four touchdowns on interceptions for his career. He also collected 34 tackles (22 solos), despite playing the latter part of the schedule with a shoulder dislocation from the Kent State game. Harris earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2007, starting all 14 games at field cornerback. He also started to become acclimated with return chores. He posted 36 tackles and deflected 11 passes. He tied the school record as a kickoff returner with a 100-yard runback for a score vs. Clemson. He averaged 34.7 yards on six kickoffs and 7.4 yards on five punt returns. He also scored once on five interceptions and batted down eleven passes. Harris missed the 2008 season opener due to a left foot sprain, but he returned to start the final 13 contests, shifting to boundary cornerback. He registered 46 tackles (32 solos), caused two fumbles and recovered another. He also broke up eight passes and intercepted six others, tying the school single-season record by returning two of those interceptions for touchdowns. He averaged 15.0 yards on four kickoff returns and 9.3 yards on 25 punt returns. He also caught eight passes for 63 yards (7.9 avg) and rushed five times for a 9.6-yard average. Even though he did not start there, he was utilized quite a bit as a slot receiver, split wide or as a tailback out of the backfield. Still, he is a shutdown cornerback, first and foremost. To that end, he gave Wake Forest's Alphonso Smith a run for his money in their quest to re-write the Atlantic Coast Conference record books. Both players tied the ACC career record by returning four interceptions for touchdowns. Harris gained 278 yards on his 15 interceptions (third most in school history), which ranks third in league history. Smith managed to generate 254 yards, finishing seventh on the ACC chart.
  Conclusion: It just keeps getting better and better. If anyone can hope to replace B'Dawk it just might be this kid. Just for a start, he is a solid zone corner prospect with the skills and toughness to compete for playing time as a rookie, but more importantly He may be ideally suited to play free safety as a pro. It was commonplace during the 2008 season to see Harris line up at boundary cornerback, field cornerback or even free safety. If that was not enough, when it came time for the opposition to either punt the ball away or kick off, Harris handled those attempts as well. And with the team's receiving corps depleted by 2007 graduation, the coaches experimented with their versatile player on the offensive side of the ball during preseason camps. The theme of this year's draft for the Eagles' seems to be Versatility. Great pick!
• Pick 159
  Fenuki Tupou (OT) (pronounced fen-UU-kee TUU-puu)
  Height: 6'5"
  Weight: 314
  College: Oregon
  Conference: Pac 10
  Hometown: Elverta, CA
  High School: Center
  40 Yard Dash : 5.4 seconds
  Bench Press : 24.0 reps
  Vertical Jump : 25.5 inches
  Broad Jump : 94.0 inches
  3 Cone Drill : 8.33 seconds
  20 Yard Shuttle : 5.02 seconds
  
  In 2007, Tupou took over left offensive tackle duties for the Ducks. He earned second-team All-Pac 10 Conference honors and was the recipient of the Jimmy Rogers Jr. Most Valuable Lineman Award in the Sun Bowl, as he manhandled All-American pass rusher George Selvie, holding the South Florida standout to one assisted tackle while knocking him down 10 times and recording two touchdown-resulting blocks. As a junior, Tupou started 12 of the Ducks' 13 games, seeing limited action vs. California due to a mild concussion. He finished his first season at Oregon with 85 knockdowns and 12 touchdown-resulting blocks. He allowed just two quarterback sacks on 413 pass plays, helping the Ducks average 467.54 yards in total offense and 41.92 points per game, leading the Pac-10 in both categories. In 2008, Tupou almost saw his season come to an end before it began. He was suspended for the season opener after accepting a meal and $100 from a sports agent. The left tackle returned to his familiar position in the second game, starting 10 contests. He sat out the UCLA contest due to a right knee sprain that he suffered in the first quarter against USC. Tupou posted 74 knockdowns and 13 touchdown-resulting blocks as Oregon again led the conference with an average of 484.85 yards in total offense per game. For his performance, he was named an All-American third-team and All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice.
  Conclusion: Tupou is another tackle prospect with intriguing size and potential, he is not a technically sound blocker on the edge. He's worth taking a shot on at this point in the draft. He could become a quality backup in time. OK Pick, but at this stage you take what you can get.
• Round 6:
  Pick 194:
  Brandon Gibson (WR)
  Height: 6'1"
  Weight: 206
  College: Washington State
  Conference: Pac 10
  Hometown: Puyallup, WA
  High School: Rogers
  
  Gibson enrolled at Washington State in 2005, appearing in 10 games with five starting assignments as a true freshman. The flanker saw most of his action on special teams, where he returned 10 kickoffs for 186 yards, but also caught nine passes for 172 yards (19.1 avg.) and a pair of scores. As a sophomore, Gibson took over flanker duties for the final nine games. He teamed with Jason Hill to give the Cougars one of the biggest receiving tandems in the West. He pulled down 49 passes for 731 yards (14.9 avg.) and four touchdowns, second on the team. He also saw brief action on the coverage unit, making a solo tackle while recovering a fumble and returning two kicks for 42 yards. In 2007, Gibson had a banner campaign, earning All-Pac-10 Conference first-team and All-America third-team recognition. He started 11 games at flanker, sitting out the Oregon clash with a heel bruise. He was hampered early in the season by an August camp knee sprain, but still managed to haul in a career-high 67 passes for 1,180 yards (17.6 avg.), finding the end zone nine times. His 67 grabs placed third on the school season-record list and his 1,180 yards was the most ever by a Cougar, ranking 20th on the conference annual record chart. With the new spread option offense in place, Gibson struggled at the "Z" (flanker) spot, where he started the first three games before shifting to the slot in 2008. He still led the team with 57 receptions, but only got to the end zone twice while recording 673 yards (11.8 avg.), adding 19 yards on 10 carries to earn All-Pac-10 honorable mention. It was a bittersweet senior season for Gibson, who concluded his college career as the school's all-time leader with 2,756 receiving yards and finished second in WSU annals with 182 receptions. He seriously considered leaving school after the 2007 season, but was convinced by the new coaching staff that he would greatly benefit returning to the university in 2008. Even though he led the team with 57 catches, the Cougars suffered through one of the worst seasons in the program, finishing 2-11 for the campaign.
  Conclusion: The nephew of former NFL cornerback Vaughn Williams (49ers/Colts), Gibson struggled to grasp the new offensive system earlier in the 2008 season, and also struggled to grasp the football, as he was plagued by a slew of dropped balls in the early portion of the year. He saw his yardage total decrease from 1,180 yards in 2007 to 673 and his touchdown opportunities reduced from nine scores as a junior to two as a senior. Don't we already have enough receivers who can't catch? Let's hope that his decline doesn't continue. He's got decent size and will compete to be a backup in Philadelphia. oh well like I said this far down the draft there isn't much left.
• Round 7:
  Pick 213:
  Paul Fanaika (OG)
  Height: 6'5"
  Weight: 327
  College: Arizona State
  Conference: Pac 10
  Hometown: Milbrae, CA
  High School: Mills
  Bench Press : 15.0 reps
  
  Fanaika has used his unique combination of size, surprising foot quickness and determination to develop into one of the better, more underrated interior linemen in the country. Despite starting three years at right guard for the Sun Devils, Fanaika's struggles with leverage could pose problems against shorter, powerful defensive tackles. There are some who believe Fanaika's future lies at right tackle, where his size and arm length could be beneficial, but with questionable lateral quickness and no experience outside, it is a projection likely only worthy of a late-round pick.
  Conclusion: Fanaika had some issues with balance. He has NFL size, but he was on the ground too much in college. He can sustain his block once he locks onto defenders. I'd like to see him get more flexibility and lateral quickness. With some work this kid could become a late round success story. Good late round Pick.
• Pick 230
  Moise Fokou (OLB)
  Height: 6'1"
  Weight: 233
  College: Maryland
  Conference: ACC
  Hometown: Rockville, MD
  High School: The Bullis School
  40 Yard Dash : 4.76 seconds
  Bench Press : 12.0 reps
  Vertical Jump : 31.0 inches
  Broad Jump : 121.0 inches
  3 Cone Drill : 7.09 seconds
  20 Yard Shuttle : 4.28 seconds
  60 Yard Shuttle : 11.41 seconds
  
  He played sparingly behind Erin Henderson at weak-side linebacker in 2006, but switched to the strong side in 2007 and started the next two years there, registering 84 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles in 2007 and emerging as the only ACC defender to record more than 75 tackles (77) and five sacks on the year. Despite his experience there, lacks the bulk scouts prefer, but his athleticism and secure tackling make him a potential immediate special teamer and an intriguing developmental prospect for the weak side.
  Conclusion: Fokou is a linebacker with some speed. He has long arms and big hands, which is very advantageous in the pro game. He can become a depth linebacker in a young Eagles line backing crew. Jimmy Johnson loves to have a lot of linebackers so he can switch them in and out and keep them fresh. Good late round pick.

Overall a good draft by Andy Reid and the Eagles staff. I think they might have finally addressed some of the problems with the offense. I'm not the only one either as Donovan seems to be very excited in his latest blog post . He says, "I'm excited about meeting my new teammates, getting to know them and working together on the field. We now have a lot of new, young skill position players and it will be exciting and interesting to see how they become acclimated to what we do here." If these new players play up to their potential this could well be the season we win the Superbowl. The only sad thing is that B'Dawk is in Denver.

I'm Back

Sorry for the interuption. I lost a bet with my wife. I should have known better than to expect the Eagles to continue without letting me down. Enough of that now. I will start my regular posting again after the Draft.

The Eagles' Incredible Postseason Run Continues

It's hard to believe but just a few weeks ago I, like a lot of others, was sure that the Eagles season was all but over, But here we are it is January of 2009 now and the Eagles will be playing in their fifth NFC championship game in eight seasons, against their former Divisional rival the Arizona Cardinals. They lost the first one as an underdog at St. Louis, lost the next two as home favorites against Tampa Bay and Carolina, then won the last one as a home favorite against Atlanta. There was hope after St. Louis, despair after Tampa Bay, anger after Carolina and elation after Atlanta. The games came in all shapes and all sizes. The Eagles are saying the right things this week about the Arizona Cardinals. If you look deeply into their eyes, there isn't even a glint of a hint of dishonesty when they say they are taking the Cardinals very, very seriously. And then they nod. Very, very seriously. It is true that any team with bruised toes from a season of unexpected stumbles shouldn't be taking anyone else lightly. The Eagles are riding the wave of confidence they have built from the still water around their ankles after the Nov. 23 loss to Baltimore. The first rising tide came just days later - a 28-point win over the - that's right - Arizona Cardinals. Now the streak has reached six wins in the last seven games, including solid playoff victories over Minnesota and the defending champion New York Giants. The Eagles are being carried by their defense, but quarterback Donovan McNabb is healthy and the offense is dangerous as well. Against Arizona in November, McNabb threw four touchdown passes and had his second-highest passer rating of the season, behind only the season-opening rout of St. Louis. Still, what you get this week is what you expect to get, and what you should get. You just wonder if they really believe it.
A seven-time Pro Bowl player in his 13th NFL season, free safety Brian Dawkins is the heart and soul of the defense. He pours his emotions onto the field and is beloved for his intensity and his performance. Dawkins also happens to have a huge assignment on Sunday. He will be required to give help over the top against the Arizona passing game down the field and he’ll also be asked to fill in and aid against Arizona’s running efforts. You may even see Dawkins blitzing Kurt Warner as the Eagles try to get the star quarterback out of his comfort zone. Dawkins has to make plays in this game, and he has to make sure that the Eagles play at a fevered emotional level. The intensity the Eagles have shown during this streak – six wins in seven weeks – has made a difference, and Dawkins deserves a lot of the credit. This is his fifth NFC Championship Game, so he understands how dreams crumble abruptly here. The task is a tall one (fly across the country and play a team that the Eagles defeated convincingly in November at their home in front of their rowdy fans) but Dawkins is prepared for the journey.
He is only one of six players who have been here for all five; Donovan McNabb, Correll Buckhalter, David Akers, Tra Thomas, Jon Runyan and Brian Dawkins. (Buckhalter, admittedly, is a bit of a stretch, injured in 2002 and 2004 but around the team nonetheless.) They are the ones who have seen it all, and felt the different emotions, and dealt with the varying expectations. They have known mostly disappointments on these days, disappointments that necessarily hardened their outer shells and sharpened their inner appetites for success. They are all excited, even if they feel honor-bound to hide some of the it. They are favored to get back to the Super Bowl and they know it. But they have lost this game three times before and they all know that, too. There are scars in the NFL and then there are championship-game scars. There is no camouflaging that level of disappointment. And the lesson, Akers said, "is to make each one count."

Over the long history of the NFL, it has usually taken only a C-minus or D-plus game to beat the Cardinals. Even this season, as the Cards reeled to the finish line, it wasn't that difficult. In the final five weeks of the season, Arizona lost games by 21, 28 and 40 points. Forty points! Beyond that, the collective unconscious of the franchise represents a sticky spider web of failure across the players' faces. The most recent division championship before this season came 33 years and a time zone ago. It was 1975 in St. Louis under coach Don Coryell. Current coach Ken Whisenhunt is the 11th head coach for the team since that last division title, and the 9-7 record this season is just the second winning record since 1984. If the Cardinals should win on Sunday, it will be the franchise's first serious championship since Harry Truman was filling out Franklin Roosevelt's final term. They beat the Eagles in Chicago's Comiskey Park in 1947. I think Arizona was already a state back then, but I'll have to check. The Eagles are having none of it, of course. Not only aren't the Cardinals the team that lost games for all those years. They aren't the team that lost games this season. Again, you just wonder if they really believe it. For now the Eagles' incredible postseason run continues with a trip to Arizona and the NFC Championship Game. We can only hope that after Sunday they will be headed to Tampa.

Who to Watch:

• Eagles CBs vs. Cardinals WRs
• Eagles DE Trent Cole vs. Cardinals LT Mike Gandy
• Eagles RB Brian Westbrook vs. Cardinals D

Game Winner Could Easily be the Next Superbowl Champion

The Eagles are heading to Giants Stadium for the NFC Divisional Playoffs this Sunday. This is Round 3 of the NFC East’s heavyweight match between the Eagles and Giants, with the teams splitting the first two games. New York is the defending Super Bowl champions and the NFC’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The 12-4 Giants enjoyed a bye week and enter this game rested and healthy after struggling to a 1-3 record in the month of December. There are few surprises here. The Giants rely on an offense that operates behind a bruising line, running first to set up the passing game later. All three Giants running backs – Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw – are capable and each gives a different tempo to the ground attack. Quarterback Eli Manning is a smart, accurate thrower who has supreme confidence after winning the Super Bowl last year. Defensively, New York runs a similar scheme to what the Eagles employ. The Giants generate a lot of pressure from the front seven and the secondary takes advantage. It will be the third time that these bitter NFC East rivals have faced off against one another this season. The Giants won the first matchup at Lincoln Financial Field in early November. The Eagles won the rematch at Giants Stadium back on Dec. 7. Both games were decided by fewer than seven points. Who will win the rubber match? Andy Reid has guided the Eagles to seven Divisional Round appearances since 1999, which is the most in the NFL during that span. The Eagles are 1-2 all time against the Giants in the playoffs, including a 23-20 win in the 2006 wild card round. The Eagles won four of their final five regular season games to make the playoffs as the No. 6 seed with a 9-6-1 record. As for the Giants, they are the NFC's No. 1 seed with a 12-4 record just one year after a remarkable run to win Super Bowl XLII, which was deemed one of the greatest upsets of all-time as the Giants stunned the previously unbeaten Patriots. After starting off the season winning 11 of 12 games, the loss to the Eagles in Week 14 started a string of three losses in the final four games. That one win, however, was a come-from-behind 34-28 overtime win over Carolina to seal home-field advantage for the playoffs.
After completing 23 of 34 passes for 300 yards with one touchdown and one interception, McNabb has another huge test against the pressure-oriented Giants. McNabb needs to be at his best once again to defeat New York and that means making sure the ball gets out quickly and accurately. The Eagles ran the ball very well in the most recent meeting against the Giants on a cold, windy day. Still, McNabb threw 30 passes as the Eagles controlled the clock and dominated the second half of that game. A similar strategy would be helpful as the Eagles look to get the offense on the right track immediately. Playing with a lead is very important in the hostile Giants Stadium. The Eagles must give McNabb time to set up and throw, and it is likely he will see constant blitzing as he did last Sunday in Minnesota. McNabb has been outstanding since the benching in Baltimore, tossing 10 touchdown passes and only two interceptions, while completing 64.9 percent of his passes. The Eagles need more of the same on Sunday to beat the defending champions.

Basically there is nothing new to say here. The Eagles need to control the line of scrimmage, stay balanced on offence, and win the turnover battle. I've said it all twice before this year, and everything in those earlier articles still apply. This is a team that we all know well and one that this team can beat. They need to get out there and do it on Sunday and if they do I think they should go all the way. This is the toughest challenge left for the Eagles and if they can get past it the rest should just fall into place. I will go so far as to say that whoever wins this game will be the next Superbowl Champion. So lets go Eagles Win.

Who to Watch:

• Eagles RB Brian Westbrook vs. Giants LB Antonio Pierce
• Eagles LB Stewart Bradley vs. Giants RB Brandon Jacobs
• Eagles RT Jon Runyan vs. Giants DE Justin Tuck
• Eagles CB Sheldon Brown vs. Giants WR Domenik Hixon

Big Win in Minnesota Leads Eagles back to the Meadowlands

Call this one The Three Phases of a Playoff win. Because at the end of the day, after the Eagles packed up their things and left this frozen tundra of a land, the 26-14 win over Minnesota was possible because all three phases of the team chipped in for a thrilling victory. The Eagles move on to play the Giants in the NFC Divisional Playoff round as a team. They won a tremendously physical game against Minnesota and will now take the appropriate steps to freshen up for a well-rested and battle-tested Giants team. And as the team landed in Philadelphia and put the win over the Vikings behind it – that's what happens in this league, win or lose – the Eagles have a little more trust in one another and in every phase of this team. You want big plays? The Eagles delivered them, first with a 62-yard punt return by DeSean Jackson that set up the first of four David Akers field goals. Score one for the special teams. In the second quarter, it was Asante Samuel's turn as he stepped in front of a Tarvaris Jackson pass intended for Sidney Rice and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 16-7 advantage. Kudos to the defense. Later on, with everyone on the edge of his/her seat, and with palms sweating and heartbeats racing, Donovan McNabb completed a screen pass to Brian Westbrook and he got some great blocking, did his usual amazing running through the maze and ended up 71 yards down the field in the end zone for a touchdown to turn a two-point lead into a nine-point, it's-over margin with fewer than seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
The defense led the way, for the most part, battling tooth and nail against superstar running back Adrian Peterson, who exploded for a 40-yard touchdown run but was otherwise pedestrian: He ended with 83 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. While the defense sacked Jackson just once, they harassed him enough into an awful day – Jackson completed only 15 of 35 passes for 164 yards and had a passer rating of 45.4. After a frustrating first half in which the Vikings converted 6 of 10 third downs, Philadelphia clamped down on defense. In the second half, Minnesota managed only 101 yards of total offense, six first downs and only 2 of 10 conversions on third downs. The defense was stout on the edges as the Vikings tested them with pitch plays to running back Adrian Peterson. Super job by Chris Gocong and the linebackers. The line of scrimmage was stout. Chris Clemons continues to make progress as a pass rusher. Trent Cole never stops. Juqua Parker was there to make a big play or three. You get the sense from the secondary that they can cover anybody, anywhere. That's what it was like on Sunday in the Metrodome. There were a couple of missed tackles and a missed interception or two, but the coverage has been excellent since November. Tight ends? Whatever adjustment Jim Johnson made has worked.
The offense didn't have a whole lot going for it other than McNabb's passing game. Correll Buckhalter reeled off a 27-yard run to set up another Akers field goal, but then mysteriously did not touch the ball again. McNabb went to eight receivers, including Jason Avant, who gained first downs on four of his five receptions. A little dinking and dunking did just enough to keep the Vikings off balance, and then the Eagles went for the killer blows in a convincing fourth quarter. The offensive line did a fine job in the face of a relentless pressure-based scheme from the Vikings, who are very good and very fast up front. Tight end Brent Celek had 6 receptions for 56 yards, and Jason Avant had 5 catches, 4 for first downs. Eight players caught passes in all. Give Correll Buckhalter, who was under-used with only a couple of carries for 27 yards, a hug for lining up and playing fullback for much of the second half while Dan Klecko was out with a shoulder injury. And make sure the receivers, who we all watch for the way they run routes and catch passes, are appreciated because of the way they blocked all over the field. Great job.
David Akers is again being taken for granted. He kicked four field goals on Sunday, kicked off well and was a huge reason the Eagles turned away the Vikings, 26-14, in the Wild Card playoff game. Akers was one of several facets of the victory in need of some kudos for a job well done. The entire special teams, in fact, played great in the win. DeSean Jackson had punt returns of 62 yards and 30 yards. Punter Sav Rocca averaged 44.3 yards on his four punts with a net of 44.0 yards and all four kicks inside the 20-yard line. Rocca was terrific and the coverage group was outstanding, as it has been all season. You know who is lights-out on special teams this season, somebody who is under the radar but shouldn't be? How about Sean Considine, the former starting strong safety who has done nothing but help this football team in every game this season. Considine was named the Special Teams MVP by the players, and is a playoff captain. He isn't playing all that much as a safety, and hasn't played much in the last six or seven games, but he sure is making a difference on special teams. Everyone is. The special teams are a huge part of the Eagles' late-season success, and everyone from Considine to Quintin Demps to Akeem Jordan to Omar Gaither to Tracy White and the list keeps going has been terrific in coverage and, as we have seen with Jackson in the punt game and Demps in the kickoff game, in the return phase. Akers, though, has been amazing. Mr. Automatic, almost. Even when he has missed this season -- other than the three blocked attempts, Akers has missed one field goal since October 5 against Washington -- Akers has had plenty of leg and has just been a hair off. Akers missed a kick against the Cowboys, so he's 28 of 29 since the Redskins game in October, and that includes the perfect 4-of-4 performance on Sunday. Those problems Akers had from 40 yards and out are a thing of the past. He has been on cue since October. That's a good thing to know in the post-season.
That's what happened against the Vikings. Every player who stepped on the field helped in the win. The coaches did a complete job preparing the Eagles for the environment and the opponent. Step one of the playoff journey is complete, with a huge one Sunday waiting. The Eagles move on to play the Giants in the NFC Divisional Playoff round as a team. They won a tremendously physical game against Minnesota and will now take the appropriate steps to freshen up for a well-rested and battle-tested Giants team. And as the team landed in Philadelphia and put the win over the Vikings behind it – that's what happens in this league, win or lose – the Eagles have a little more trust in one another and in every phase of this team. Hey, there are smiles all around right now, but there is also the understanding that the defending Super Bowl champions are waiting on Sunday. The scene is set for Round 3 of this season between the Eagles and Giants. It should be a great, great battle. For now, as the Eagles heal and savor the win, the reality is this: A total team has come together here after that baffling 5-5-1 start to the season. The Eagles are playing as One, and that is the formula to win in the post-season. Great win. Great weekend. Thousands of Eagles fans made the trip to Minnesota in search of the win, and they got it. They earned it. Everyone of you did. It's that kind of feeling right now.

Playoff Time is Here Again

The Eagles have surprisingly landed in the playoffs, and now what do they have to do to beat the Vikings? For the seventh time in 10 seasons with Andy Reid as the head coach, the Eagles are in the post-season. This time, they open as the No. 6 seed in the NFC and take to the road to play the 10-6 Vikings in Minnesota. Philadelphia will be tested in a hostile environment by a physical team that features superstar running back Adrian Peterson and Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen. The Eagles must get off to a good start in a hostile environment. Donovan McNabb and Co., coming off the 44-6 blowout win over Dallas, look to stay balanced offensively and establish enough of a running game to keep the Vikings honest, and then attack Minnesota’s secondary with quick, darting routes in the passing game.
Minnesota’s offense revolves around Peterson, who led the NFL with 1,760 rushing yards in 2008. Peterson combines a rare blend of speed, power, moves and aggressiveness. Only in his second season, Peterson is already the best running back in the league. He is a threat to score any time he touches the football. Minnesota revolves its offense around Peterson, but the Vikings also have good receivers and a touchdown threat in tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Philadelphia's defense is in (knock on wood) excellent shape entering the playoffs and the truth is that the Eagles will go as far in the playoffs as the defense takes them. With a resurgent Brian Dawkins fresh off earning his second NFC Defensive Player of the Month Award for December in three seasons, and with the secondary at the top of its game and the front seven attacking offenses in such a fast and physical manner, well, it's easy to feel confident about what the Eagles are bringing to the table for Sunday. But every snap of the ball is a new challenge, and the Vikings are a scary threat from every yard line. The Eagles have to rally to the ball and they have to have excellent discipline and timing when they get after it as Johnson likes to do.
Defensively, the Vikings have one of the best lines in football, led by Allen, who had 14 ½ sacks this season. The Vikings rank first in the NFL in run defense, and they get to the quarterback with their pressure package. Last week was a marvelous performance through and through. The Eagles gave the ball to Correll Buckhalter 13 times and he produced 122 total yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Donovan McNabb was terrific in a 12-of-21, 2-touchdown game. The offensive line, maligned during this roller-coaster of a season, shut out NFL sacks leader DeMarcus Ware and paved the way for 137 rushing yards on 36 attempts. McNabb was sacked just once, and he set up and spread the ball around to six receivers as the Eagles made one big play after another to blow open what was a tie game after one quarter. If they can play up to that level again this week this will certainly be another winning game.The Eagles need to get a lead and hold onto it, play tough defense and stop the Vikings running game, force turnovers and maybe most importantly convert third downs. How many times have I said that? Basically the Eagles need to play Eagles football, and remember that we are all behind them and supporting them. Let’s go win a Superbowl. Beat the Vikings this week and we are one step closer.

Who to Watch:

• Eagles LG Todd Herremans vs. Vikings DT Kevin Williams
• Eagles WR DeSean Jackson vs. Vikings CB Antoine Winfield
• Eagles SAM Chris Gocong vs. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson