The Eagles Offense: Whats Missing?

In 2008, the Eagles had one of the top offenses in the NFL. They ranked ninth overall and sixth in passing. The offense set a franchise record for points scored, and they were one big play away from the Super Bowl.

The 2008 offense had a great year, but the talent level was nowhere near what the 2009 offense will have. There may be a few pieces missing.

I will start with what they will have in 2009.

The General

Donovan McNabb is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and the best Eagles quarterback of all time. Since drafting McNabb the Eagles have always had an explosive offense. Donovan has gotten it done for many years without significant talent around him, and now he has it.

With Donovan McNabb directing the show you can expect big things from this offense.

The Stable of Backs

Brian Westbrook is easily a top five running back, and he is the most versatile in the NFL. In 2008 Westbrook was hampered by knee, ankle, and rib injuries, he still limped his way to 14 touchdowns.

This offseason Brian has had surgeries on both his knee and ankle to remove scar tissue. By the start of the season he should be healthy and ready to go. Expect Westbrook to be back at the top in 2009.

Westbrook should benefit from splitting carries with rookie LeSean McCoy. LeSean has almost the same exact skill set as Westbrook but 10 years younger. McCoy is a very explosive back. He can run, catch, block, and do all the things you want from a running back. Lesean should develop into a great back.

The workhorse Leonard Weaver will be lead blocking for Westbrook and McCoy. Weaver is a great fullback who can do it all. He is a beast. He is a great blocker, a proven runner, and he can as well catch the ball very well out of the backfield.

Leonard will solve the Eagles short-yardage problems from 2008. In this offense Weaver will more than likely be in the Pro Bowl in 2010.

With these three working together the Eagles should have a much improved rushing attack.

The Great Wall of Philadelphia: The Offensive Line

The Eagles had a decent line in 2008, but in 2009 they should have one of the very best. With Shawn Andrews back and the Addition of Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters and Mammoth guard Stacy Andrews the eagles line will be great. They will protect McNabb and pave the way to many points in. McNabb may not even get sacked 10 times in 2009.

The Tight Ends

Brent Celek is a very good young player with one of the best work ethics on the team. Celek is a great recieving tight end, and it showed in the post season last year. Many people still question his blocking. Ever since the first week of the offseason, Celek has been at the Novacare Center working hard to get better, and to keep his starting job.

Celek has packed on an extra 15 pounds of muscle, and hes been working with offensive line coach Juan Castillo to improve his blocking. Brent Celek is a good young player on the rise.

The other tight end is rookie Cornelius Ingram, who is just a big rocked up receiver. Ingram would have been a first round pick if he hadn't suffered a knee injury in 2008. Ingram was one of the best receiving tight ends in the draft.

These two tight ends will create matchup problems for almost any defense and ,along with an improved running game, should solve the eagles red zone problems.

The Recievers

DeSean Jackson is one of the fastest players in the NFL, and is a deadly deep threat. Jackson broke all of the Eagles rookie receiving records. With a year of experience under his belt he can only get better. He also recently dedicated the rest of his career to his father who died due to cancer.

Kevin Curtis is another speed demon on the outside. Curtis runs great routes and has very good hands.

Jason Avant is a great slot receiver who goes unnoticed. Avant is a physical receiver who is fearless, and he has the best hands on the team. He is Mcnabb's most reliable target. Some call him Mr. third down. Last year Jason caught 15 passes on third down and 13 of them went for first downs.

Jeremy Maclin is a very dynamic and explosive player. He shattered NCAA records of all purpose yards. He should develop into a great NFL receiver. Even if Maclin doesn't play a down in 2009 the Eagles will still be fine at receiver.

Hank Baskett is a good, big, physical receiver. As a high jump state champion he can catch a fade route over just about anybody. He is also one of the best blocking receivers in the NFL.

Reggie brown is a good receiver but he is a big underachiever. This will more than likely be his last year in Philly.

The eagles for once have a really good receiving corps. They will help McNabb put up big numbers in 2009.

What's Missing?

The Eagles have a much upgraded offense from last year, but what's missing? After going over everything they do have I cant think of anything that they don't have. Is there anything missing?