Kevin Curtis and The Little Offense That Might

No position on the Eagles' roster comes under more scrutiny than that of the wide receiver.

Since the departure of Terrell Owens, Eagles’ fans have been clamoring for a receiver of Owens' ability. Prayers were almost answered this offseason when the team nearly snagged Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, and Roy Williams.

The team also had the chance to sign former Denver receiver Javon Walker, as well as former Raider Jerry Porter. However, no new receivers ended up in Eagles’ green during the free agency spending frenzy.

It was not until the Draft that head coach Andy Reid and company snagged a receiver in Cal's electrifying DeSean Jackson.

The first mini camps have come and gone without any meaningful new additions to the position.

This begs the question: Can the Eagles make a Super Bowl run with these receivers?

Reid thinks so.

"We did a tremendous job statistically in just about every area," Reid said in a press conference last week. "We'll work very hard at [red zone production], and we'll be fine there."

The Eagles finished sixth in the NFL in yards for 2007, averaging 358.1 per game. When it came to total points, however, the Birds placed 17th with 336.

Both the Giants and Cowboys had more points than the Eagles last season.

The biggest factor in the 2008 Eagles' difficulty in the red zone was the absence of tight end LJ Smith. McNabb's favorite red zone target missed seven games last season with a series of nagging injuries. 

It was the first time in his career he missed more than two games in a season.

"You want to have a tight end to find the mismatch [in the red zone]," Smith said, "For whatever reason, we couldn't get the job done last year. But hopefully I can kind of steer the ship straight, so to speak."

In addition to Smith, the Eagles’ offense is relying heavily on its veteran receiver Kevin Curtis. A free agent in 2007, Curtis had the first 1,000 yard season since Owens' tumultuous departure in 2005.

Gaining 1,000 yards in the first season in a difficult West Coast Offense is no small feat (no pun intended). Still, the receivers understand that they need to be more productive to get the team to the playoffs and beyond.

"I think he has the utmost confidence in our abilities." Fourth year receiver Reggie Brown said. "Well, I hope he does, because, I mean, we're who we got. We're the guys."

Of course, no offensive player in Philly is under more scrutiny than QB Donovan McNabb. For the first time in several seasons, the franchise quarterback does not have an injury to rehab this offseason.

At the end of the season, McNabb wrote on his blog that he hoped the team would add more firepower to the team, saying, "I hope we are able to secure some playmakers in all three phases of the game."

''I can't say I'm disappointed,'' McNabb said when asked about the Eagles offseason moves. "I know I have [Brian Westbrook] behind me, a good offensive line, and a good receiving corps. That's all you can ask.''

There is little doubt that Brian Westbrook is an elite running back. His 1,333 yards in 2007 were third best in the NFL last season.

While the majority of the Eagles’ receivers are less than six feet tall and are known more for their speed, the team may find that it needs a taller, heavier wideout to help move the chains.

Hank Baskett (6'4, 220) was a one-year wonder in 2006 but was a virtual non-factor last season.

Will the offseason moves, which focused more on defense, be enough to improve the offense? It remains to be seen.

One thing is for sure—in order for the Eagles to make a Super run in 2008, the offense has to be able to get over its red zone slump.

"You don't need a big-time receiver," Smith said in an interview. "People just have to stay healthy, and guys just have to know what they're doing and make plays consistently."