Balance Will Be Key to Eagles Success in 2009

(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Well, for one thing, the tight end position should be a reliable target and McNabb's safety valve when the outside receivers are covered. Brent Celek's emergence during the postseason made it easier for the Eagles to say goodbye to L.J. Smith who underachieved during his time in Philly.

During the playoffs last season, Celek caught 19 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns—including two in the NFC title game. If he continues to improve, you will see the Eagles pass the ball to a reliable pass catcher, especially in red zone and short yardage situations.

The Birds will have some athleticism at the tight end position with rookies Cornelius Ingram (6' 4'', 245-pounds) and Eugene Bright (6' 4'', 255-pounds). If any of these players can get some quality playing time, McNabb will have additional weapons in the passing game.

If first-round draft pick Jeremy Maclin either breaks into the starting lineup or gets significant playing time to go along with DeSean Jackson, Hank Baskett, Jason Avant, and Kevin Curtis, the wide receiver position will finally be a position of strength rather than a liability.

Maclin will not only help stretch the field for the Eagles in the passing game, but look for Reid to throw in a few wrinkles that will utilize the speed of Maclin and Jackson. You will more than likely see a few more end arounds or maybe even the “Wildcat.”

If opposing defenses are worried about defending Eagles receivers, it's going to be easier for Westbrook to be even more dangerous in the passing game. What vaulted Westbrook into a threat that he has become over the years dates back to 2004 when Terrell Owens was the Eagles go-to receiver. The extra added attention on Owens put Westbrook in one-on-one situations with defenders that simply could not cover him.

With the speed the Birds have at the wide receiver position, it's logical to think the Eagles can just pass on almost every play. To the contrary, the Birds can be a more effective passing team if they can establish the running game in the way they did at the end of last season.

To make sure the Eagles become more of a balanced attack, the team signed former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Stacey Andrews and former Patriots left tackle Jason Peters. The Eagles will move a now healthy Shawn Andrews, Stacey's younger brother, to the right guard spot.

While the Birds like to go airborne with the football, they have a big enough offensive line that would rather run block and play smash-mouth football. For the Eagles have a strong passing game, they're going to have to run the ball enough to keep teams off balance.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?