What To Expect From The Eagles' 2008 Wide Receivers

Fans know how inconsistent the Eagles' offense can be.  And going into the 2008 season with no explosive offensive play makers for Donovan McNabb acquired in free agency, this season probably won't be too different. 

But the point of this article is not to lament about how close the Eagles were to getting Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, or any of the other players the Eagles could have, would have, or should have gotten in free agency, because Donovan McNabb won't be throwing passes to any of those players this upcoming season.  It is imperative to forget about that bunch, because Philadelphia might not see the likes of those in midnight green for a very long time.  No, instead we need to concentrate on whom we've got now, who is going to be playing in the season at hand.

While nothing can be known for sure, here's what to expect going into Game One.

Kevin Curtis--There is no mistaking that Kevin Curtis is talented.  For someone who did not play with the West Coast offense before he joined the Eagles last year, Curtis has put up good numbers, making 77 catches, and scoring six touchdowns on 1,110 yards, the most of his three year career.  Overall, he is consistent, capable of making plays, and a spark in the Eagles' offense. Although he is not quite Pro-Bowl calibre yet, Kevin Curtis is probably the Eagles' best receiver, which is unfortunate.  He would make a great slot receiver, like New England's Wes Welker, but he is definitely not a No.1.

Reggie Brown--If Reggie Brown is a good wide receiver, he definitely has not shown it yet.  Drafted by the Eagles as a second round pick in 2005, he has reached three seasons, the point at which a receiver can either be called a boom or a bust.  To be fair, Reggie Brown is neither.  A bit of a disappointment, Brown had 61 catches, scoring four touchdowns on 780 yards and a 12.8 average. 

Greg Lewis, Jason Avant, Hank Baskett--Combined, this group just made 52 catches last season, bad numbers for any wide receiver.  Greg Lewis had 13 catches for 265 yards and three touchdowns.  Jason Avant had 23 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns.  Hank Baskett had 16 catches for 142 yards and one touchdown.  Of the three, Jason Avant, a second year player drafted in the fourth round by the Eagles, has the best potential--while his speed is nothing out of the ordinary, he is extraordinarily tough and never shies away from contact.  

DeSean Jackson--Drafted in the second round, No.49 overall, by the Eagles, DeSean Jackson represents either a glimmer of hope, or another huge disappointment the likes of which even Jeremy Bloom can't match.  Either way, there is no way anyone can predict right now how well he is going to play for the Eagles this upcoming season.  But one thing is for sure.  If Jackson doesn't help out too much at wide receiver, he will almost surely make an impact as a punt returner. He set a Pac 10 record for return touchdowns in a season, with six, last year.  Jackson, who ran the 40 yard dash in 4.35 seconds, was indisputably the fastest receiver at the NFL scouting combine.  Considered by some to be the most talented wide receiver in the draft, Jackson's stock fell because of his less-than-august frame and height--5''11 at 169 pounds.  In the end, no wide receivers were picked in the first round of the draft, and DeSean Jackson ended up being the seventh wide receiver picked overall.  For sure, Jackson has a lot to prove, and while he may end up being a bust, he may also end up being the future for this mediocre group of wide receivers on our beloved Philadelphia Eagles team.