Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp Coming Soon: 80 Players, 80 Questions/Speculations

Haran Knight by Correspondent Written on July 09, 2009

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PHILADELPHIA - MAY 1: Offensive lineman Paul Fanaika #63 and Fenuki Tupou #78 of the Philadelphia Eagles look on during minicamp practice at the NovaCare Complex on May 1, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
Hunter Martin/Getty Images

Here we are, less than three weeks away from the Philadelphia Eagles taking over the sports headlines until hopefully early February.

The trade for Chris Pronger, the inconsistency of the World Series Champs, whatever happens to Andre Miller. All of these topics will take the backseat to anything that transpires at Lehigh University.

Last week, I expressed my opinion about Terrell Owens not being the reason the Eagles reached the Super Bowl for the first time in almost a quarter century. He made humungous contributions, but he was far from being the only reason for 2004’s success.

What T.O. did bring was an electric atmosphere from the day the Eagles front office announced his trade.

From the draft of Donovan McNabb over Ricky Williams to Jeremiah Trotter’s departure for Washington to Hugh Douglas’ hiatus in Jacksonville, people felt the Eagles front office didn’t know how to assemble a winning team.

After Todd Pinkston’s embarrassment in the Bird’s third straight NFC Championship loss, the city was fed up. For the first time during the Andy Reid era, Eagles fans felt like the front office finally listened by bringing Owens in.

For the first time since then, I feel the Eagles front office addressed the majority of their holes.

They have a real fullback. Their receiving corp is respectable. They even signed quality players to replace those we hated to see depart this offseason(Brian Dawkins, Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan).

The Eagles have replaced a little hope with huge expectations. After reaching the NFC Championship for the fifth time in eight years, it’s “hoist the Lombari Trophy or Bust” in 2009.

Being an August Leo, I’ve made it a tradition since 2004 to celebrate my birthday by traveling up the Northeast Extension, over to Route 309 and north some more every year to observe the Eagles during training camp.

This is the first glimpse of who can take a hit and who can deliver a hit. While I like to see the stars get back in rhythm, I also like to predict which low draft or undrafted player is going to make it (last year I picked King Dunlap).

Going into training camp this year, I have questions/expectations for each player. The Eagles may get involved in the Supplemental Draft. They may sign another player soon. They may even make a trade. For now, let’s look at the 80 players they have now.

Quarterbacks

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 1: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles practices during mini camp at the NovaCare Complex on May 1, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Donovan McNabb—Can he stay healthy and take advantage of the talent assembled around him?

Kevin Kolb—Will he stay focused and prepared to step in if something were to happen to McNabb?

A.J. Feeley—Regardless of his untimely interceptions, is there a better third-string QB in the league?

Halfbacks

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18:  Running back Brian Westbrook #36 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the football in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale,

Brian Westbrook—He needs to stay as healthy as possible, bottomline. I expect a successful rehab. He's a top-three running back when healthy.

LeSean McCoy—Westbrook's training camp abscence means plenty of opportunity for McCoy to absorb the playbook with pads on and adjust to the speed of the NFL. I'm confident his progress will be very positive.

Lorenzo Booker—There's a reason Booker was a healthy scratch for much of last season. But, there's also a reason the Eagles traded a fourth-round pick for him in 2008 and he has yet to be released. That's the Booker I want to see this season.

Eldra Buckley- Unless Buckley opens some eyes and outperforms Booker, I don't see him making it past the third preseason game.

Fullbacks

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 1: Fullback Leonard Weaver #43 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball during minicamp practice at the NovaCare Complex on May 1, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Leonard Weaver-I expect a Pro Bowl season from Weaver, nothing less.

Kyle Eckel-Eckel may not be the starting FB, but if he proves that he can be reliable in short yardage situations, he may make the final cut.

Marcus Mailei-Mailei's best chances with the Eagles at this point is signing onto the practice squad. His future will depend on what Weaver does after this season when his contract expires.

Wide Receivers

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18:  Wide receiver DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.  (Photo by

Jeremy Maclin—Whether he comes out of the preseason a starter or not, I expect Maclin to have a huge impact on the Eagles offense this season.

DeSean Jackson—Can Jackson avoid the sophomore jinx and build on his successful rookie season?

Kevin Curtis—How serious is his hernia? Will he be ready to go full speed at the start of the regular season? We all know what he can do when he's healthy.

Jason Avant—Avant is the best third-down receiver, but can he take his game to another level?

Hank Baskett—His wife maybe hot, but his stats won't be. They don't need to be. Baskett just needs to be in position to have his strengths utilized a lot more.

Reggie Brown—Brown went from being a projected No. 1 receiver to being in danger of getting bumped off the roster by an undrafted receiver. He's talented enough to get some value in return, so I expect him to be traded sometime during the preseason.

Brandon Gibson—Due to his size and ability to contribute on special teams, I expect Gibson to make the final roster.

Shaheer McBride—How much did McBride learn after a year on the practice squad? I doubt he makes the team, but he's going to compete hard against Gibson and Baskett.

Brandon Robinson—Robinson must rely on his special teams play to have even a remote chance of making the team.

Marcus Thigpen—Thigpen's primary role is to take pressure off higher picks in the return game during the preseason. He has almost no chance at making the team.

Danny Amendola—Amendola is primarily a return specialist. I don't expect much more out of him.

Tight Ends

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 11:  Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a pass in the end zone during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Giants on January 11, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Eagle

Brent Celek- After the Eagles passed on trades for Kellen Winslow or Tony Gonzalez, the expectations are sky high for Celek. He's definitely shown the potential. Can he live up to it?

Cornelius Ingram—Injuries kept Ingram from being drafted on Day One. He says he's healthy now so I expect him compete hard with Celek for the starting spot.

Matt Schobel—Can Schobel finally prove that he could be a reliable third option at TE?

Eugene Bright—I expect Bright to compete strongly and eventually beat Schobel for the third TE spot.

Offensive Line

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 1: Offensive tackle Jason Peters #71 of the Philadelphia Eagles practices during minicamp at the NovaCare Complex on May 1, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Jason Peters—I expect nothing but big things from the Eagles biggest offseason acquisition.

Shawn Andrews—A healthy Shawn Andrews is almost guaranteed a Pro Bowl berth.

Stacy Andrews—The older Andrews' knee is one of the bigger concerns going into training camp. The Eagles' first free agent signee will dominate the right side with his brother when healthy.

Jamaal Jackson—Which Jamaal Jackson will show up? The one that was good enough to get Hank Fraley traded or the O-line's weakest link the past few years.

Todd Herremans—Can Herremans build on last year, which was probably his best?

Mike McGlynn—McGlynn is almost sure to get a lot more playing time this season, especially if Stacy Andrews and/or Jean-Giles aren't 100 percent.

Max Jean-Gilles—Can Jean-Giles fully recover from his broken ankle?

Mike Gibson—Whether or not Gibson makes it to the regular season depends on the health of others.

Dallas Reynolds—Something tells me Reynolds is going impress Juan Castillo a lot in training camp.

King Dunlap—After a year on injured reserve, Dunlap should have a strong chance at being Peters' backup.

Fenuki Tupou—The O-line depth may be so deep that Tupou at his best spends his rookie year on the practice squad or IR.

Chris Patrick—I predict that Patrick won't make the first cut.

Nick Cole—Reynolds is going to give Cole a run for his money in competition for backup center.

Paul Fanaika—See Fenuki Tupou

Defensive Line

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 7:  Victor Abiamiri #95 of the Philadelphia Eagles gets ready on the line against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium on December 7, 2008 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Trent Cole—I expect Trent Cole to just be Trent Cole. He just needs help from others so he doesn't wear down by the end of the season.

Victor Abiamiri—Can he stay healthy and take his game to the next level?

Broderick Bunkley—I expect more improvement and a Pro Bowl-caliber season.

Mike Patterson—See Broderick Bunkley; they've become a powerful tandem in the interior.

Chris Clemons—After a full season in Philly, I expect him to pick up where he left off at the end of last season.

Darren Howard—Can he duplicate his 10-sack performance last year at the age of 32?

Josh Gaines—The Penn St. product has his work cut out for him if he expects to make the team in September. A lot of talent awaits in front of him.

Jaqua Parker—If Abiamiri is healthy, Parker will excel as his backup.

Bryan Smith—After a year of getting his weight up, he should be ready to rotate on the right side of the line with Cole.

Trevor Laws—His rookie year is out the way. Laws will challenge Patterson for playing time in training camp.

Jervonte Jackson—Outside of being Jamaal Jackson's half brother, I don't know too much about him. He's going to mainly compete with Dan Klecko for a roster spot.

Dan Klecko—A much better defensive tackle than fullback. He should feel confident that he won't have to switch his weight and jersey number back and forth now.

Linebackers

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 15:  Stewart Bradley #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a tackle against the Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2008 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Stewart Bradley—Bradley is going to step up and take over the defense. I see a Pro Bowl-caliber season coming.

Chris Gocong—Another year of experience means nothing but improvement for Gocong. I think he'll be much more involved in pass rushing this year.

Omar Gaither—Can he regain his starting job back? He needs to prove he can be more effective against the run to do that.

Akeem Jordan—Is the spot he took from Gaither his to keep or did he just have a good 6-7 games at the end of last year?

Tank Daniels—Will he continue to keep his roster spot with his special teams play?

Moise Fokou—Will he surprise people by making the team or is he destined for the practice squad?

Joe Mays—Will his hard hitting reputation earn him more time this year?

Tracy White—See Tank Daniels.

Charleston Hughes—Good size. We'll see what he brings in a few weeks.

Cornerbacks

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 1: Defensive backs Asante Samuel #22 and Sheldon Brown #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles smile as they look on during minicamp at the NovaCare Complex on May 1, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Asante Samuel—He made the Pro Bowl last year, but expect an even better season from Samuel this year.

Sheldon Brown—He'll have a good training camp, but I'll be suprised if Brown's an Eagle past the trade deadline.

Ellis Hobbs—Be prepared for a younger version of Sheldon to start opposite Samuel in the near future.

Jack Ikegwuonu—At this time, his future with the Eagles depends on a judge's verdict.

Macho Harris—Projected to play safety, his versatility and return ability should keep him around.

Dimitri Patterson—I'll find out more about him in a few weeks.

Joselio Hanson—His contract extension alone raised the bar for him, but Hanson has the ability to step up to the challenge.

Courtney Robinson—His size and return ability give him a chance to slip onto the regular season roster.

Trae Williams—A long shot to make the team with the talent in front of him.

Safeties

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 27:  Quintin Demps #39 of the Philadelphia Eagles gets ready on the field during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field on November 27, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by: Nick Laham/Getty Imag

Quintin Mikell—Can he build on his leadership role and become and All-Pro without Brian Dawkins?

Quintin Demps—Will he successfully replace Dawkins and live up to the ball-hawk status that got him drafted? Will he continue to be the kickoff return threat?

Sean Jones- He'll push hard to take the starting spot from Demps. His experience may be the difference.

Rashad Baker—At first Baker was expected to be part of a formidable safety rotation. With the drafting of Macho Harris, the Camden, N.J. native is going to have to fight hard to secure a spot.

Byron Parker—Another long shot, he's gonna have to pull a few tricks out to get any sort of consideration.

Reshard Langford—Good size for a safety. But, like Parker, he's got an uphill battle with the players ahead of him.

Special Teams

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18:  Kicker David Akers #2 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after he misses a two-point conversion in the third quarter during the NFC championship game against the Arizona Cardinals on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Sta

David Akers—Does he have enough left in his leg to bring an encore of "Mr. Automatic"?

Sav Rocca—Can he maintain the accuracy he had last year. Some of his punts kept the Eagles in games.

Ken Parrish—Last year, Parrish had a better chance. Rocca has earned lots of respect from coaches since.

Jon Dorenbos—He should continue to hold down his spot at Andy Reid's favorite position.

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written on July 09, 2009 Opinion

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