Since the 1983 championship by the 76ers, no professional Philadelphia team has won a championship. The NBA Finals title, Stanley Cup, World Series Championship, and the Lombardi Trophy have all gone to other cities.
For Philly fans, the wait has ended. The fans will go from throwing snowballs onto the field to throwing confetti by the end of the NFL season. Yeah, that’s right. Your Eagles will bring home not only an NFC championship, but a Super Bowl championship.
This will most likely be their last shot. This will be the last year before the team may decide to let Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb walk away together before the Kevin Kolb era begins.
If McNabb can stay healthy, this team, in my mind, is the best in the NFC; even over the Cowboys. Since he had returned after they nearly upset the Patriots and after a tough loss to the Seahawks, the Eagles defeated the Cowboys, rising Saints, and a young and talented Bills team.
At the end of the season, the Eagles had shown they belonged in the league. That momentum and additional talent added will get McNabb his well deserved ring.
What were their big moves in the offseason? Well, they had one BIG move in getting one of the best corners in the NFL with Asante Samuel. The secondary was solid but just got whole lot better. They will arguable have the best secondary in the NFL because they also kept Pro Bowler Lito Sheppard.
The addition of rookie DeSean Jackson helps them with a deep threat for McNabb and gives the Eagles a reliable kick returner.
Brian Westbrook is one of the most versatile backs in the NFL who does not get enough credit. With or without McNabb, he has been the core to the offense. They added depth to the running game to put less pressure on Westbrook to save him for the postseason.
Like the Giants of last year, the Eagles will have a threatening duo at the defensive-end. Trent Cole has shown he can play, but Chris Clemons from the Raiders is the sleeper. Look out for him this season to make an impact.
The saying of "play every game as if it is your last" will be intact for most of the Eagles, so that is why this has to be their year. I favor them to come out with a 11-5 record but still behind the Cowboys.
Despite this, the Eagles have the experience and will get over anyone who comes in their way next postseason. I called the Giants last season and have to go with the Eagles for next year.
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3 months ago
Great piece. I agree about finishing behind the Boys in the regular season. But we all know the Cowboys can't win in the playoffs.
One thing i disagree about is when you say "This will most likely be their last shot." I think the Eagles will have a BETTER shot once McNabb is gone. Right now the Eagles' major problem is play calling (an Philly fan will tell you that). What makes the play calling so poor? Pass. Pass. Pass. That's been the Eagles strategy. They need to become a running team if they want to succeed. That won't happen as long as McNabb is there because the organization wants to put the team on his shoulders. It should be on BWest's shoulders.
I think the drunken Eagles fan in the seats behind me put it best when screamed, after a 3rd and inches resulted in an incomplete PASS, "3RD AND AN INCH AND HE PASSES IT DEEP!? THROW THE BALL YOU FAT F***!"
And when do you think the Kolb era begins? I think it's this year after McNabb goes down. C'mon, we all know he's going down.
from 3 months ago
Chris-
If the team was better with Garcia, doesn't that make him a better QB for the team? Doesn't that say then that McNabb is not what Andy Ried is/was trying to make him out to be? I don't think Garcia is a better QB than McNabb but he has had a solid career playing on a lot worse teams than McNabb, and potential HOF???
He had a good run with a top defense, but the Eagles's inability to get over the hump has always been on the offense, and before you bring out the 'He doesn't have any weapons' excuse, lets take a look at Tom Brady's WR/TE/RB in thier Super Bowl wins...at some point Mcnabb has to take some responsibility for the playoff struggles, him and his PR man Andy Ried. The D will be solid as always but as they say, the back up QB is always the most popular man on the team...
3 months ago
As long as Andy Reid is at the helm this will always be a pass first team it has nothing to do with McNabb. Reid was a QB Coach who is trying to perfect the WCO.It's not going to change w/Kevin Kolb, either.
The team shouldn't even be on Westbrook's shoulders, they need a short yardage back that can convert on 3rd and short and inside the 5. Giving it to Westbrook in those situations is going to get him killed.
from 3 months ago
The team was better with Garcia. Garcia is not a better QB than McNabb. It's because the Eagles gameplan was around Garcia, who isnt as good as McNabb. If you have a QB who isn't a probowler and possible HOFer like McNabb, Reid isnt gonna put the team on his shoulders.
The Eagles have done a pretty good job bringing in alternate backs to take teh load of Westy: Tony Hunt could easily be the short yardage back, Buck can handle some carries, and Booker has a lot of potential.
3 months ago
McNabb is the problem, 2 years ago the team was better with Garcia, who Mcnabb (and his mother) ran out of town, and for all the Romo playoff talk McNabb has had a shaky playoff career himself
And a closer look at the games you mentioned...several teams came close to beating the Pats at the end of the season, including the 4 win Jets and 5 win Baltimore. The Saints were in the NFC championship 2 years ago and they only beat 2 decent teams all last year-so they are falling not rising, and after thier 2nd worst game all year Jason Witten's goal line fumble was the only reason the Boys did not come back to win. Finally, while Buffalo has a few nice young players I dont think they are worthy of the 'young and talented' label. It seems that late push was more luck than a solid finish.
The funny thing is I think the Eagles will most likely fight for a wild card and finish #2 in the east but for the only team in the division not to reach post season, Super Bowl seems a ways off...
3 months ago
I think too many people make the mistake of thinking because a team finished the season strong, it will carry over to the following. There is a reason that teams who play 5-8 ball through 13 games end up winning their last 3 games and having a .500 record; that reason being the majority of opponents are out of the playoff race or resting starters and have nothing to play for.
Consider this:
The Eagles finished the 2006 season on a 5 game winning streak. In 2007, they were 8-8.
The St.Louis Rams closed 2006 winning 4 of their last 6 games. They ended 2007 with a 3-13 record.
The Baltimore Ravens went 13-3 in 2006 and ended with 4 straight wins. 2007? 5-11.
On the flipside, the Bucs lost 5 of their last 6 in 2006 but went 9-7 in 2007.
Keep that in mind when trying to project success based on last season's ending.
3 months ago
IMO the Eagles window is closed... McNabb cant stay healthy... while Westbrook is still very dominant he is another year older... they play in the toughest and most grueling division in football
Of course I am biased because I am a Giants fan... but I do not see the Iggles making the playoffs unless we have another 2 wild cards coming out of the NFC East
from 3 months ago
...Which we probably won't. I agree with you.
3 months ago
I'm curious to see what Booker does. Buckhalter is decent but they struggled in the Red Zone lasts season because there was no confidence in the running game.
3 months ago
Wesley-
I'm not sure I understand your point. If you're arguing that Garcia was a better fit for the Eagles I agree wholeheartedly and that was sort of my point. McNabb is the better physical player but Garcia worked better in the Eagles system. I feel Kolb will be the same in a year or two of course.
I don't think McNabb is necessarily THE problem. And I don't think Reid is THE problem. But perhaps the combination of the two is the problem. I've seen all but two Eagles home games for the past 4 season from the bleachers and I've seen every single other one from some medium. And I can conclude that the Eagles need to become a running team and that will not happen with McNabb.
Paul-
I think the NFC East WILL send 3 teams again.
1- Boys
2- Eagles
3- Giants
But we can both probably agree the boys cant win in the playoffs and, while I actually respect this Giants team(but still have a gut hatred for them due to rivalry), I don't know if their D-line can recover from losing Strahan and there's always the "Which Eli Manning?" gamble.
3 months ago
The combo of julius jones and marion barber helped them. Can Barber be a legit starter all season and be a relaible player to handle the load? They brought in unproved rookies who I think were overrated, esp felix jones. I expect the running game for the Cboys to be a downer and the offense will rely on STILL the unproven Romo. Jess Simpson and the fame has been a distraction for a small town man. People will finally see how NOT so good he is
3 months ago
I agree with 90% of this article. I do think we've put together a 'sleeper' team that critics are clueless about. I do think that the pressure is off Reggie Brown and we should see defenses begin to pay less attention to him (again due to the critics). I think we'll do much better than most sports writers are willing to admit. I think we'll take the division (tied record with the cowgirls but better head to head numbers).
I agree that this may be the last season to pull off a championship before we descend into a major rebuild/overhaul. Coaching-wise, I really don't believe the issue is with Reid, I believe its with Morningwheg. Our offense has NEVER been the same since we lost Brad Childress. No slight to Marty but Brad was a great offensive mastermind.
McNabb, the only knock really isn't a knock. He is a bit on the 'frail' side to put it lightly, and it takes him a LONG time to get back in the groove after returning from an injury, longer than many other QBs. But thats life. He's a great QB, one of the best to ever play for Philly, next to Randall Cunningham (UNLV bias going on here?).
I hope beyond hope that you are correct. I am TIRED of saying 'next year' over and over. Believe me, I'm in Las Vegas and I'm surrounded by...lets see...who is it this year, fans.
Andrew Hamilton
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from 3 months ago
beleive me if they stay healthy they gonna win it. All those straight NFC championships and 1 super bowl visit means they got that experience. Their additions like Samuel will get them as Super Bowl champs.
3 months ago
To all Philly Fans!
The Eagles will be in the Playoffs. But lets face it, How can anyone say their going to win the s Bowl when they haven't played one game. But here are some points that have to go right for the team.
Point 1). McNabb must be healthy and stay that way all year and must get help from the Organization.
Point 2). Lito sheppard.We can't have a unhappy player on the team.
Point 3). Rookies from this past draft and past drafts must play and be Impact Players.
Point 4). Both Lines must be move the ball and get the ball!
Point 5) Wide Receivers must get open and open the feild up for McNabb!!!
Point 6).Special teams must be better in the past!
Point 7).Romo must not get any better that he is. Eli must go back in his shell.Over rated!! Washington must continue to let the Owner ruin that team!
Point 8). I am a loyal Philadelphia Fan but I am a realist that alot has to happen to win and get in the playoffs!
DR Heller Yardley Pa.
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