The Philadelphia Eagles come into 2008 with very high hopes after a very active offseason. On offense, they got Lorenzo Booker in a draft-day trade and drafted speedy receiver and kick returner DeSean Jackson in the second round. He has had a great preseason, with 16 grabs and a huge punt return for a score. He is the speedy target that McNabb wanted.
L.J. Smith comes back after an injury-shortened 2007, which will provide McNabb with a red-zone target. With Smith out last year, the Eagles struggled in the red zone and in picking up short yardage. Curtis comes back at receiver after a very good first season as an Eagle. He should complement Jackson, giving McNabb a nice one-two touch. Curtis picked up 77 catches with six scores in 2007.
The third-receiver spot is up for grabs right now while Lewis struggles. Baskett has had a very good preseason and could be that other receiver.
The whole offense and fate of the Eagles will be on the shoulders of McNabb. He has missed significant time in every season since the Super Bowl, a time period in which the Eagles have made the playoffs once when Jeff Garcia took over the starting role. If McNabb stays healthy, then this team could challenge Dallas for the title.
Of course, we can't forget about Westbrook. He's always a huge weapon for the Eagles' rushing attack. He had a career year in 2007.
On defense, the Eagles picked up one of the biggest free agents out there in Asante Samuel. He was a very solid piece of the Patriots' dynasty and Super Bowl run last year. He had six picks last year and has 22 in 75 regular season games, plus five more in postseason action. He also has six picks returned for scores. Samuel leads the NFL with picks since 2006.
The Eagles' defensive secondary will be lead by the leader of the team: Brian Dawkins. He is coming off an injury-shortened season in which he only recorded 37 tackles and one interception. He should rebound this year and lead a very good secondary. He has looked decent in preseason, but his ankle now could be a problem.
At linebacker, the Eagles moved around the order of their backers. Bradley moves into the middle role, as Gaither will move back to outside backer. In the preseason, second-string MLB Mays has done a great job and could challenge for playing time.
The defensive line is the question mark here. The Eagles released Kearse in the offseason and tried to replace him in a trade by getting Clemens, but that did not work. Now, the starters are solid, with Cole and Parker at the ends. Parker picked up 37 tackles last year with five sacks.
On the inside are Bunkley and Patterson. Rookie Laws is making a push. The Eagles could be the team under the radar this year. They could finish 12-4 or 13-3 on the season and win the division.
Washington Redskins
The Redskins are a team in transition. Out is the HOF coach and in comes first-year coach Zorn. He takes over a team that finished the 2007 season strong. On offense, he has to find a way to get Campbell to mature. He only threw 12 scores and 11 interceptions in an injury-shortened season.
Zorn also has the rookie from Hawaii, Colt Brennan, who could mature into a very good quarterback. At running back, of course, is Portis. However, he has been very injury prone the last few seasons. Betts provides a good one-two punch in the backfield.
At receiver, Washington has some good weapons. Randel El is coming off a 51-grab season, Moss a 61-grab, three-touchdown season, and the best weapon on the team, Chris Cooley, who had 66 catches and eight scores in 2007. The offense is very capable of putting up points.
On defense, the Redskins went out to get Jason Taylor for a solid anchor at defensive end. Springs and Smoot provide a good secondary for the Redskins. London Fletcher is always a solid middle backer and is the heart of that defense.
They have a very tough schedule, and with a young team and a new coach, that could mean trouble. They could finish 6-10 this year.
Predicted NFC East
Philadelphia 12-4
Dallas 11-5
Giants 9-7
Redskins 6-10
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