Bleacher Report - Articles by Orlando Morales

NFC East 2009 Pre-Season Preview: Still the Best in Football?

Orlando Morales — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:56:03 -0400

Prior to the start of the 2008 season, almost all of the hype centered around what was considered to be the best division in all of football: the NFC East. There was talk that the Cowboys were so stacked with talent, they were the easy Super Bowl favorites.

Dallas stumbled to a 9-7 finish in the regular season, and were unceremoniously stomped from playoff contention in the season's final game, a 44-6 drubbing at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Then there was the defending champions, the New York Giants. A team that was expected to struggle tremendously along the defensive line with the loss of retired defensive end, Michael Strahan, and the season-ending knee injury to Osi Umenyiora.

The G-Men flew out of the gates, soaring to an 11-1 start.

Enter Plaxico Burress. In the days leading up to the Giants 23-7 victory over the Washington Redskins, Burress accidentally shot himself in the thigh at a New York night club.

Without their biggest weapon, the Giants stumbled to a 1-3 record in December and were bounced from the playoffs by the Eagles at home in the divisional round.

Speaking of the Eagles, a team that Sports Illustrated columnist Paul Zimmerman had picked to with the division with a 12-4 record and lose the Super Bowl...again, to the Patriots, stumbled their way to a 9-6-1 record.

Thanks to a frantic and miraculous week 17, the Eagles squeaked into the playoffs, and wreaked havoc among the NFC. They upset the Vikings and Giants on the road, but saw their magical ride come to an abrupt halt in the NFC Championship game...again.

And then we have the Redskins. Oh, the Redskins. The team that almost routinely makes the most moves to try and buy the Super Bowl, again played below expectations and again missed the playoffs.

Quarterback Jason Campbell, under the tutelage of rookie coach Jim Zorn, led the Skins' to a 6-2 start, but struggled late in the year and finished out the season 2-6.

Okay, so you have four teams, all considered to be high quality, three stumble their way through the season and one gets off to a hot start, but chokes in the playoffs. Does that sound like the league's best division?

In 2009, this is again going to be considered one of the league's top divisions. But the question remains, can they live up to the hype?

We begin with the division champs, the Giants.

New York Giants: 2008 finish (12-4)

On offense, the Giants will remain a threat, regardless of the loss of Plaxico Burress. Like the Eagles of 2008, they may not have that stud at receiver, but they do have a good amount of complimentary receivers who can still hurt you.

Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon will be counted on to lead the receivers this year. But two players with upside are draft picks: Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden.

Nicks has been compared to Anquan Boldin with his toughness and great hands. Barden is an enormous target who presents a huge red-zone threat to go along with tight end Kevin Boss.

Eli Manning will again have the benefit of being protected by the league's best offensive line, as well as the cushion of Brandon Jacobs and Amhad Bradshaw on the ground as one of the league's most potent rushing attacks.

On defense, the Giants will be considerably better along the front seven with the additions of outside linebacker Michale Boley, tackle Rocky Bernard, and defensive end Chris Canty.

With Osi Umenyiora returning from injury, Big Blue presents a fierce pass rush that will combine with a dominant rush defense, and offenses should have fun trying to score on this defense in 2009.

Arguably the only weak point of the 2008 Giants defense was the linebackers. Antonio Pierce was the only starter who was consistently productive. But with the addition of Boley and the selection of Clint Sintim in the second round, there is some solidity there.

The secondary could feel the effects of losing strong safety James Butler to free agency, but there are affable replacements waiting in the wings.

2008 first-round draft pick Kenny Phillips will see an expanded role as the starter at free safety and has a lot of upside.

Terrell Thomas is a versatile player who can make the transition from cornerback to safety, and he could very well be the leader in the clubhouse to make the move to strong safety.

The cornerbacks, on the other hand have a considerable amount of talent and should again be among the league's best.

Cory Webster, who has finally lived up to expectations and 2007 first rounder Aaron Ross form one of the NFL's top tandems at corner.

Kevin Dockery has the ability to step in and start as well, he is a very good nickel back and a solid special teams player.

The Giants' special teams were among the leagues best in 2008. But this year, Jeff Feagles will be in his 23rd season, his production will be brought into question because of his age.

Lawrance Tynes will re-assume the kicking duties after an injury-plagued 2008 cost him his job to since retired John Carney.

Tynes, as you may remember, kicked the Giants to the Super Bowl with his game winning 47-yard field goal in the NFC Championship in 2007.

Kick returning may be an issue for the Giants. Amhad Bradshaw and Domenik Hixon both had their good returns, but each struggled with consistency.

Philadelphia Eagles: 2008 finish (9-6-1)

In 2009, the Eagles will again boast the NFL's biggest offensive line, thanks to the additions of right tackle Stacy Andrews and left tackle Jason Peters.

Those two additions should bolster an offensive line that lost bookend tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas to free agency.

With Brian Westbrook sidelined at least until pre-season, LeSean McCoy and Lorenzo Booker will need to pick up the slack in the running game.

McCoy, the Eagles second choice in the draft this year, is looked upon as the team's back of the future and is expected to relieve some of the load that has been heaped upon Westbrook's shoulders.

The Eagles passing game should again rank near the top of the league in 2009. McNabb got the weapons he was asking for when the Eagles drafted Jeremy Maclin in the first round this year.

With sophomore sensation DeSean Jackson continuing to improve along with Kevin Curtis finally getting that clean bill of health, this attack will be a match up nightmare.

The red zone offense will again be under heavy scrutiny this year. The front office added a weapon down there with the fifth round selection of tight end Cornelius Ingram. Ingram, along with budding star Brent Celek, should vastly improve a red zone offense that has been atrocious over the past two seasons.

Defensively, the Eagles should again be ranked among the best. Sure, the loss of Brian Dawkins will be felt emotionally, but not physically.

The Eagles may have sufficed for Dawk's departure with the signing of Sean Jones, who has flown under the radar as one of the league's top safeties for a couple of years now.

The Eagles secondary is loaded with talent, headed by Asante Samuel and Quintin Mikell. Sheldon Brown, whose off-season has been clouded by a contract controversy, is still one of the league's premiere cover corners.

But the addition of Ellis Hobbs via trade at the draft may signal the end of Brown as a starter. Behind Brown and or Hobbs, there is Joselio Hanson, who got a huge deal in the off-season, speaking in terms of dime backs, with a five-year, $21 million deal...a deal that may have pushed Brown over the edge.

More is expected of Samuel in 2009 as he has another year of experience in Jim Johnson's defense. And Quintin Mikell, is expected to take the reins as the leader in the secondary following his great year in 2008.

The Eagles front seven rivals that of the Giants. They have a solid corps of linebackers with Bradley, Jordan and Gocong, as well as one of the deepest defensive lines in the NFL.

Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley, both former first-round draft picks, are what I believe to be the most underrated tandem at defensive tackle in the NFL.

The only question mark on defense would be at left defensive end. Victor Abiamiri has the ability to step in as the full-time starter this year following an injury-plagued 2008. Juqua Parker and Bryan Smith are also candidates to compete for the starter's job.

The Eagles special teams, which was mediocre to above average in '08 will need more consistency in the coming season.

Every week it was something else. From Sav Rocca's struggles punting, to DeSean Jackson's backward returns, there was a different oddity all year.

The bright spots were David Akers finally hitting from 40-plus on his field goals and Quintin Demps consistently giving the Eagles good field position on kickoffs.

Dallas Cowboys: 2008 finish (9-7)

That brings us to the NFC East's traveling circus, a.k.a. the Dallas Cowboys.

Terrell Owens is gone, banished to the snow-covered landscape that is Buffalo. So now there is no excuse for Tony Romo to under-perform in December again.

He has the weapons around him. Roy Williams, Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton, and Miles Austin provide more than enough talent in the passing game.

Williams will be under a microscope after his abysmal performance following being traded to Dallas in Week 6. Witten is easily the best tight end in the game from any standpoint, and Crayton and Austin are playmakers with big upside.

The ground game should be heavily relied on in Dallas in 2009. They have a trio of backs who can do just about everything.

Marion Barber is the hammer that will absolutely wear down a defense. Felix Jones is a versatile back who can score from anywhere on the field with his explosiveness.

Then there's the slasher, Tashard Choice. Choice, a very toolsy back who does everything, and does it well.

He runs hard, catches the ball well, and is an above-average blocker. I see him as a smaller version of Derrick Ward, just waiting for a big deal in free agency one day.

The Cowboys offensive line is a big question mark. They either were impenetrable, or resembled the Detroit Lions.

They committed penalties like there's no tomorrow and they need a wake-up call. They are a very talented bunch; they just need some continuity and consistency.

On defense, 2009 will be a year to regain respect for Dallas.

The Dallas defense was embarrassed for the final two weeks of 2008, surrendering 47 points. They tackled poorly and committed dumb penalties. They were just plain awful.

Along their defensive line, Jay Ratliff is the only standout. Marcus Spears has yet to play up to his first round pick potential, and Chris Canty the other end, is playing in New York.

Free agent signee Igor Olshansky is expected to pick up the slack at right end in 2009.

Where Dallas really excels is with their linebackers. When Demarcus Ware and Bradie James are playing at a high level, there are few offensive lines who can stop Dallas.

Though Greg Ellis and Zach Thomas have left, Jerry Jones brought in former Falcon Keith Brooking to fill in.

The departure of Greg Ellis will give former first-round draft pick Anthony Spencer the chance to show Wade Phillips that Dallas made the right choice drafting up to get him in 2007.

Potential-wise, Dallas could have one of the best units in football. Stop laughing and stay with me here. Terrance Newman, when healthy is one of the top cornerbacks in all of football, but he is rarely ever healthy.

Then there's the 2008 first round pick Mike Jenkins, who made some very good plays in 2008 as well some very confusing plays, such as not giving an all-out effort.

At the nickel-back spot, there is Orlando Scandrick, who has tremendous speed and instincts. He has the potential to really shine as a nickel back and could push for a starting spot in a year or two.

That brings us to the safeties. Wade Phillips needs to have a sit-down conversation with Ken Hamlin. When I watched Dallas play, I watched Ken Hamlin run his mouth more than anything else on defense.

This guy can really play, but he needs to keep his head in the game and forget about all the crap and stop shooting his mouth off.

At strong safety, Gerald Sensabaugh should really provide an upgrade over the former starter Roy Williams.

Sensabaugh shined in 2008 whem Jacksonville gave him the chance to play. Sensabaugh's play making ability gives the Dallas secondary a little more bite and could discourage some teams from throwing.

Dallas' special teams lost two of its key components within two weeks in 2008 with both Matt McBriar and Felix Jones suffering season-ending injuries.

While Nick Folk was great kicking field goals, he had trouble with his accuracy on kickoffs, having two or three go out of bounds.

The return units really struggled for the 'Boys in 2008 with Pacman Jones bringing the ball up. Jones did not make the big plays he once made in Tennessee, and also struggled hanging onto the ball. We'll see how things pan out in 2009.

Washington Redskins: 2008 finish (8-8)

For the Redskins offense, it all begins with Jason Campbell. They offense goes as he goes. For the first half of 2008 Campbell was terrific, and he had the Skins' at 6-2 and the surprise team of the season.

But due to poor decision making and an offensive line that could not stay healthy, it all fell apart as the Washington finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs.

But Washington is poised to make another run if their offense can stay healthy and Campbell can grow as a player and play a full year with some consistency.

His weapons are not the best, but they get the job done. Santana Moss and Antwan Randle El are sufficient receivers to go along with Chris Cooley in the passing game.

Plus, there's the three second round draft picks from 2008 who are expected to grow and produce this year. Receivers Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, and tight end Fred Davis are all expected to have their roles expanded.

The offensive line was stellar for the first half of the season but fell apart with injuries and poor play late in the year. If they can stay healthy and not make the mental errors they made late in the season, things will be a lot easier on Campbell.

Clinton Portis' production took a big dip when he came to Washington, but he is still one of the league's top workhorses. Portis was the one constant on the Skins' offense in '08, and will again be heavily leaned on to carry this Redskin team.

If the offense is unable to get the job done, Washington should be able to count on their defense to keep them in games.

By adding Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo in the off-season, defensive coordinator Greg Blache has been given two pass rushers who could put the Redskins defense over the top.

If there is one weakness on the Skins' defense, it would be the linebackers. And you can't really consider them a weakness.

Outside of London Fletcher, there is the unproven rookie, Brian Orakpo. He may be a solid pass rusher, but there are questions about how he will adjust to playing linebacker, opposed to playing defensive end in college.

The Redskins defensive line would not be considered a strength without the addition of Haynesworth. When he is on the field, Albert commands a double team at all times, having him at tackle opens up the possibilities for Blache to implement an array of exotic blitzes.

The strength of the Washington defense is easily the secondary. LaRon Landry, Deangelo Hall, Chris Horton and Carlos Rogers make up a secondary that was dominant in the second half of the year when the offense hit a wall.

With Horton developing into a stud at strong safety, and Landry prowling around at free safety, the Redskins may have the one of the league's top combos at safety.

Hall and Rogers came up big late in the season, and their play nearly kept the Eagles from making the playoffs. Hall had a resurrection after being unceremoniously cut by the Raiders, and Rogers was consistent all season, although he went pretty much unnoticed.

With the talent these four teams boast, there is no doubt that this is the toughest division in all of football right now and I'll go out on the limb and GUARANTEE that the NFC East produces THREE playoff teams.

PREDICTIONS:

1) New York Giants: 12-4

The Giants are stacked all over the place. Their ground attack should make up for their lack of experienced firepower at receiver.

Plus, that defense should be absolutely nasty with all of the additions and the return of Osi Umenyiora. If Hakeem Nicks can make an impact early, the offense could be even more dangerous.

2) Philadelphia Eagles: 11-5

The Eagles are almost an exact clone of the Giants, with a couple of exceptions: 1. they don't have the ground attack that can take over a game. 2. They have better receivers.

If Brian Westbrook can play anywhere near the level he played at in 2007, that win total could jump one or two.

3) Washington Redskins: 10-6

I may be taking a risk here, but there is something that intrigues me about this Redskins team.

They added some very key parts on defense to add more to the pass rush and the offense should rebound after the collapse in the second half of 2008.

They could easily make a run at the division title in my eyes.

4) Dallas Cowboys: 10-6

It was tough putting the Cowboys in the cellar, given the amount of talent and potential they have. But I just don't think they made the improvements that they needed to unlike the other three teams in the division.

But there is a possibility that they could actually be a better team without a certain player whose name we will not mention, cough, cough (T.O.).

Brian Westbrook To Have Surgery: Uh-Oh for Philly?

Orlando Morales — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:07:19 -0400

It's times like these, in which those famous sayings arise in the city of Philadelphia. Sayings like: "Only in Philadelphia" or "We're cursed" are perfect for the situation the Eagles have been put in.

If you haven't figured it out by now, Brian Westbrook is due to have surgery on his injured right ankle. Dr. Mark Myerson will be performing the surgery on Friday in Baltimore. In a statement released by the Eagles, the surgery is said to be a "Debridement" of the ankle.

A debridement is the process of removing dead tissue or foreign material from and around a wound to expose healthy tissue. This is just another setback for the oft-injured running back.

Westbrook was coming off of a very tough injury-plagued 2008 campaign and prior to the season had received a new six year contract.

The timetable for his return will be determined sometime post-surgery. Early reports said that the possibility of a surgery could sideline Westbrook until the end of preseason or the beginning of the regular season.

But, this procedure is nothing major, so it is safe to believe that there could be a good chance we see Westbrook in training camp.

But what does this mean for the Eagles?

It means that players like, LeSean McCoy, Walter Mendenhall, Lorenzo Booker, and Eldra Buckley, will get sufficient playing time in training camp to strut their stuff and prove they belong in the NFL.

This most benefits Booker. Lorenzo is definitely on the roster bubble following last year's flop of a regular season that was preceded by a fantastic camp. LeSean McCoy will most likely see most of if not all of the snap's with the Eagles first string offense, should Brian miss significant time this summer.

On the bad side of things. It has to rise the awareness of Andy Reid and company, that they might not have done enough this offseason addressing the running game. Now, do not take that as a quick jab at the front office.

McCoy looks promising, but what is behind him? He was supposed to be the guy spelling Westbrook. If Brian is unable to perform at a high level in the regular season, McCoy could begin to carry the load, and we could even see an increase in touches for Leonard Weaver.

But that is mostly speculation, we will know more of the implications of the surgery later on this week.

Are the 2009 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Ready?

Orlando Morales — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:57:33 -0400

There's a certain buzz about this Eagles team. A buzz that has give fans the evil thought that, "This IS the year!" Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for optimism, but mostly in the form of, "This COULD be the year."

Many times over, we have been fooled into thinking that this season is our time, only to have a big playoff loss pie smashed into our dumbfounded faces.

But this year seems different. The Eagles were surprisingly aggressive in the offseason. Surprisingly offensive minded. Armed with the thoughts that they were a couple of playmakers away in 2008.

This offseason saw the addition of a true fullback, Leonard Weaver. The addition of one of the league's most underrated safeties, Sean Jones. And the addition of offensive playmakers through the draft. Receiver, Jeremy Maclin and running back, LeSean McCoy.

Let's also not forge the addition of possibly the best left tackle in the game today, Jason Peters.

But we also must remember, the departed. The longtime veterans who left everything they had on that field every Sunday, Brian Dawkins, Tra Thomas, and Jon Runyan.

With those players gone, the obstacles facing this club may outweigh expectations.

Defensive expectations:

Jim Johnson's crew is expected to turn in another stellar performance in '09. It's safe to say that this is a better, more experienced group than last year. The young linebackers have had another year to ease into the system. Quintin Mikell is emerging as one of the top safeties in football.

The front four are stocked with youth and will be no doubt bringing the heat again. Trent Cole's leadership and the development of Victor Abiamiri and Bryan Smith at even more talent to an already stout unit.

The secondary, minus Dawkins should again be one of the top in the league. Asante Samuel has had another year to get familiar with one of the most complex systems in the league and the addition of Sean Jones adds more firepower and playmaking ability to an already dangerous group.

And how could we forget, the linebackers. One of the youngest groups in the league, led by middle linebacker, Stewart Bradley. Bradley, among others, will be expected to raise his game to a new level.

With Chris Gocong evolving into a dynamic run stopper, and Akeem Jordan continuing his development on the weak side, there is no reason not to think this group can become one of the league's elite.

Offensive Expectations:

Again, expectations will be amazingly high for this offense in 2009. Though, they finished in the top ten in yards in '08, they were arguably the NFL's most inconsistent unit.

We all know the situation at quarterback, Donovan McNabb is the man, that is unless another catastrophe occurs and the heir apparent Kevin Kolb sees action. We all want to see that, right? About McNabb.

There is no excuse for his struggles this time. He has two tight ends who have great potential. He's got a very talented group of receivers, and a backfield that has the ability to make big plays, and move the chains.

In the backfield, there is talent across the board. Andy Reid and company finally added the true fullback this team has lacked since Jon Ritchie, in Leonard Weaver. Another plus is the addition of rookie slasher, LeSean McCoy. If the offensive line can jell in time for the regular season, this rushing attack should see a significant improvement in 2009.

At receiver, expectations are higher than recent years, given the additions made in the past two seasons. The Eagles have speed across the board with DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis and rookie Jeremy Maclin. The possession receivers, Avant and Baskett, should receive a push from Reggie Brown, who could easily be on the brink of being cut.

Some games, they looked unstoppable. Others, they looked fresh off of an all-nighter. The offensive line lost two of its leaders in Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan. But gained a tremendous talent in the form of All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters. The O-line also added hybrid guard/tackle, Stacy Andrews, brother of left guard, Shawn Andrews.

Defensive obstacles:

One obstacle comes along the defensive front seven. If Victor Abiamiri beats out Juqua Parker at left defensive end, it will give the Eagles the youngest front seven in all of football.

The maturity of that front seven could make the difference between the defense turning in a performance similar to what they did in 2008, and a performance like 2006 where the Eagles defense ranked in the lower half of the NFL in all rushing categories.

The secondary will need to overcome the loss of Brian Dawkins, as well as jell together as a group. With all of the new additions (Ellis Hobbs, Sean Jones, Rashad Baker, Byron Parker) gelling is the most important thing. Quintin Mikell will need to establish his leadership on this defense even more.

Offenseive obstacles:

Donovan McNabb has a few new toy's to play with in his offense. Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Cornelius Ingram to name a few. The catch is, these guys are rookies. It may take them until six, seven, maybe eight weeks into the season to really make an impact on this team, and by then, they could be in a big hole.

The offensive line lost two of it's leaders in Runyan and Thomas, but added two talented replacements (Peters and Stacy Andrews). Can this unit gell the way the 2008 crew did? Only time will tell.

The receivers will need to overcome the amazing amount of dropped passes that has grown season-by-season. The growth and development of Maclin and DeSean Jackson should see those drops decrease, but it is up to the other players in this group to keep the drops in check.

At running back, the obstacle will be LeSean McCoy adjusting to the speed of the NFL. Coming out of the Big East, where defenses are known for being weak, there will be a significant learning curve.

Expectations are extremely high right now for this group of Birds'. A lot of people already projecting win/loss records at 12-4 to 14-2, to me that is absurd. I see this team as an 11-5 group, given the strength of the division in 2009.

Philadelphia Eagles' Coaching Staff Profile

Orlando Morales — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:02:19 -0400

Over the past decade, no coach has been as successful in the NFC than Andy Reid and his Philadelphia Eagles. Throughout the years, Reid has put together a staff of tremendous assistants, three of whom have gone on to become NFL Head Coaches.

Another has become one of the NFL's elite defensive coordinators. But what of the staff of today? Reid's coaching staff is regarded throughout the NFL as one of the best. Here is a profile of Reid's top assistants and they key members of the Eagles coaching staff.

We begin at the top.

Andy Reid: Head Coach (1999-???)

Who?!? That was the reaction that reverberated around the city of Philadelphia when the news broke that the Eagles had hired little known assistant coach Andy Reid to be the new leader of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Reid's road to Philadelphia began at his alma mater, Bringham Young University. Reid was hired as a graduate assistant to LaVell Edwards. He then spent the 1983-'85 seasons at San Francisco State as the team's offensive line coach and helped them lead the nation in passing each year.

Following his successful stint at SFSU, Reid floated around as the offensive line coach for: Northern Arizona (1986), University of Texas El-Paso (1987-'88) and Missouri (1989-'91).

In 1992, Reid was hired by a former colleague from BYU and then head coach of the Green Bay Packers, Mike Holmgren. Holmgren hired Reid as the teams Tight End/Offensive Line Assistant.

Thanks to some urging from Holmgren early on, Reid became more familiar with the Packers offense, "It was his curiosity, the questions he asked, his note taking," said Holmgren, "He was just a sponge."

In 1997, Reid began a two-year stint as the Packers quarterbacks coach. In that first year, the Packers won their second consecutive Conference Championship, and Brett Favre had been crowned as the league's Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive season.

Following an early exit from the 1998-'99 playoffs, Reid was contacted by a team in turmoil. A team in a seemingly endless downward spiral towards futility, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Andy holds the Eagles highest winning percentage among coaches (.607) and is the club leader in wins with 107. He has won NFL Coach of the Year twice (2000 and 2002).

Reid has also led the Eagles to five NFC East division titles (2001-04 and 2006) and five appearances in the NFC Championship(2002-2005 and 2009)

Now we move on to the men behind the scenes, the assistants.

Jim Johnson: Defensive Coordinator (1999-???)

Jim Johnson was hired as the Eagles defensive coordinator on Jan. 22, 1999. Since then, he has built a defense that is routinely among the leagues elite.

Johnson's coaching time line began at Missouri Southern, where he was head coach from 1967-68. From there, Johnson bounced around the college scene as a defensive coach. He was the defensive coordinator at Drake University from 1969-72.

He then spent the 1973-76 seasons as the linebackers coach at Indiana University before moving on to Notre Dame as the team's defensive coordinator from 1977-83.

Johnson then spent 1984-85 as a defensive coordinator for Jacksonville and Oklahoma from the since defunct USFL.

From 1986-93, Johnson coached the defensive line and defensive backs for the St.Louis/Arizona Cardinals. Johnson really excelled as their secondary coach. He helped future Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams become the first rookie cornerback to lead the league in interceptions since 1981.

From 1994-97, Johnson spent two years with the Colts as the linebackers coach and two as the team's defensive coordinator.

Following his brief stint in Indianapolis, he coached the linebackers for the Seattle Seahawks. There, he helped the Seahawks register 10 defensive scores, eight coming on interceptions before coming to Philadelphia in '99.

Almost from the outset, Johnson built this once maligned unit into one of the leagues most feared. In 1999, the Eagles led the NFL in forced turnovers with 46, including five interceptions returned for touchdowns.

In 2001, Johnson's unit became the fourth in league history to go all 16 regular season games without giving up more than 21 points.

JJ's philosophy of: attack, attack, attack has made game planning for Sunday a nightmare for coaches throughout the league.

While in the City of Brotherly Love, Johnson's system has produced 26 Pro Bowl selections: Brian Dawkins (7), Troy Vincent (5), Jeremiah Trotter (4), Hugh Douglas (3), Lito Sheppard (2), Trent Cole (1), Asante Samuel (1), Michael Lewis (1), Corey Simon (1), and Bobby Taylor (1).

In January, Johnson was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer, and has left the team for an indefinite period of time for a second round of Chemotherapy. He has been temporarily replaced by our next coach.

Sean McDermott: Secondary/Interim DC (2000-???)

Following a successful playing career at William and Mary from 1994-97, Sean spent the 1998 season as a graduate assistant. Also in 1998, the Eagles came calling, offering a job as a scouting administrative coordinator.

In 1999, McDermott was promoted to assistant to the head coach. Following his one-year stint as an assistant to Reid, McDermott was given the role of defensive assistant/quality control coach, where he handled the linebackers.

McDermott would receive another promotion in 2003 where he was given the job as assistant secondary coach, a job he held for a single season before being given complete control of the secondary and the safeties in 2004.

In 2004, both of McDermotts starting safeties (Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis) garnered Pro Bowl honors for the first time in club history. Dawkins went on to earn two more Pro Bowl selections under McDermott in 2005 and 2006.

Not only did Dawkins flourish under McDermott, the Eagles credit McDermott with the development of starting strong safety, Quinten Mikell, who has become a Pro Bowl contender. McDermott would hold the secondary/safeties coach position until 2007, when he was moved to the linebackers coach.

Under McDermott's tutelage, two stars emerged at linebacker in 2007. Omar Gaither led the team with 170 tackles and 14 quarterback hurries. And strong side linebacker Chris Gocong emerged from the practice squad in 2006 to register 92 tackles and seven for loss in 2007.

McDermott moved back to the secondary in 2008, where he engineered one of the NFL's top units. Two of his players made the Pro Bowl (Dawkins and Asante Samuel).

As I said, this guy is highly regarded by his peers, "I don't think there are a lot of secondary coaches that are as good as Sean McDermott," Eagles head coach Andy Reid said. "He was a phenomenal linebackers coach and, really, his versatility I just think is second to none."

If the hype on McDermott proves right, he could very well be the next disciple of the Andy Reid era to earn a job as a head coach in the NFL.

Marty Mornhinweg: Assistant Coach/Offensive Coordinator (2003-???)

Marty Mornhinweg's roller coaster ride up and down the coaching ladder began at his alma mater, The University of Montana.

In 1985, Marty managed the wide receivers at the school, before leaving for Texas El-Paso in 1986. He spent two years at UTEP as a graduate assistant before leaving to play quarterback for the Denver Dynamite of the USFL. Following one year in Denver, Mornhinweg began a seven-year journey in college football.

That journey began at Northern Arizona in 1988, where he coached the running backs for a season before leaving for Southeast Missouri State to take over the offensive coordinator position, along with the quarterbacks coach position.

After a two-year stint at Southeast Missouri, Marty moved to The University of Missouri in 1991 where he would manage the tight ends and the offensive line for three seasons. In 1994, Mornhinweg made his final collegiate stop as he returned to Northern Arizona as the team's offensive coordinator.

Following that one-year stint in Arizona, the Green Bay Packers tabbed Mornhinweg as their offensive assistant and quality control coach on offense. There, he was reunited with a former collegue, Andy Reid. The two had previously coached together at Missouri and UTEP.

In 1996, Marty took over the quarterbacks coaching position, and helped Brett Favre win his first of three consecutive MVP awards. In addition with Favre's tutelage, Mornhinweg helped the Packers win their third Super Bowl.

Mornhinweg would leave the Packers in 1997 to join Steve Marriucci's staff in San Francisco as the team's offensive coordinator for four years. There, he sent another quarterback to the Pro Bowl: Jeff Garcia. Following the 2000 season, the Detroit Lions came calling, offering a job as the team's head coach.

Mornhinweg's time as head coach in Detroit was certainly forgettable, as his teams won a combined five games in two seasons. Following the 2002 season, Lions GM Matt Millen fired Mornhinweg. Then in 2003 Andy Reid and Mornhinweg were together coaching again, when Reid hired him as the team's Senior Assistant.

In 2004 Mornhinweg was promoted to the Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator position, and has been there since. Under Mornhinweg, the Eagles offense has evolved into one of the leagues more explosive attacks.

In 2006, the Eagles led the NFL in plays over 20-yards with 74. To go along with the big plays in '06, the Eagles offense scored 398 points, the second highest total in team history.

One group that has been consistent in Mornhinweg's time, has been the offensive line, which leads us to our next coach.

Juan Castillo: Offensive Line (1995-???)

Castillo, the longest tenured coach on Andy Reid's staff is highly regarded as one of the league's best offensive line guru's. A former linebacker, Castillo's coaching career began in 1982 at Texas A&M-Kingsville. At TAMK, Juan coached the offensive line for four years before leaving to coach high school football in Texas in 1986.

Castillo returned to TAMK in 1990 to again coach the offensive line. He gained recognition from then Eagles head coach, Ray Rhodes for aiding in the development of five division II All American offensive linemen. Four of those linemen went on to play in the NFL: Jermaine Mayberry, Jorge Diaz, Kevin Dogins, and Earl Dotson.

In his five-year stint at TAMK, he spent three summers as a coaching intern for Tampa Bay, Buffalo and Seattle. In 1995, Rhodes hired Castillo an offensive assistant, a position he held until 1997 when he was assigned to coach the tight ends.

In 1998, Castillo was assigned to coach the Eagles offensive line, and from there, the story goes on.

Under Castillo, four Eagles linemen earned their first trips to the Pro Bowl: William Thomas, Shawn Andrews, Jermane Mayberry, and Jon Runyan. Castillo's units are known for being dominant pass blockers, and yielding very little sacks.

In fact, in 2008 the Eagles offensive line set a club record for fewest sacks per pass attempt (one every 27.3).

Castillo also developed a knack for developing undrafted rookies into starting NFL linemen. That list includes: Jamaal Jackson, Hank Fraley, Artis Hicks, Bubba Miller and Steve Edwards. Castillo will almost certainly return another dominant offensive line thanks to the offseason additions the Eagles made.

Trent Cole: A Mock B/R Interview

Orlando Morales — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:05:10 -0400

You'd be hard pressed to find a single player on the Eagles' roster with a motor like that of defensive end Trent Cole. Since being selected in the fifth round of the 2005 draft, Cole has played with a chip on his shoulder. Experts said he was undersized, so he got bigger.

The experts also questioned whether he could perform consistently for an entire season. Cole again silenced the critics by having one of the best seasons as an Eagles defensive end since Hugh Douglas' 12-sack performance of 2002.

Now, Cole will be looked upon to be one of the leaders on an already talented Eagles defense.

His motor and leadership intrigued me to choose him as my mock interviewee.

Here are my 10 burning questions for Mr. Cole:

Trent, you came into the NFL with a lot of naysayers. With your performance over the past three years, do you think that you've silenced those doubters?
Among your 34-and-a-half sacks, which one stands out the most?
You play in the league's most physically tough division. Does playing against that level of competition six times a year prepare you more for the playoffs or add some wear and tear?
In past training camps, you have gone head to head with Tra Thomas, an elite left tackle. Now you will be facing Jason Peters, arguably the best tackle in the game today. How does this prepare you for the regular season where you will face dominant players like Chris Samuels and Jordan Gross?
You played your collegiate ball at Cincinnati for a mediocre Bearcats team. Is there a sense of pride regarding the fact that your alma mater is now one of the elite teams in Division I football?
Growing up, was there an elite pass rusher that you looked up to? Do you model your playing style after that player?
Until the 2008 season, you carried the load as the team's premier pass rusher. With the amount of talent that Andy and Jim have added at defensive end, do you feel that there is less pressure on you to set the tone for the front four from a pass rushing standpoint?
With Jim Johnson taking a leave of absence for a second run of chemotherapy, do you think there will be any change in the dynamic of the defensive play calling by Sean McDermott?
Asante Samuel previously guaranteed a Super Bowl Championship season. What is your opinion of players playing Nostradamus two months prior to training camp?
With the amount of depth at each position, how does this defense compare to that of 2008 in your opinion?

Philadelphia Eagles Offense In For a Play-Calling Overhaul In 2009?

Orlando Morales — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:57:50 -0400

It has been said time, and time again in the city of Philadelphia: " Andy Reid need improve his play calling!" While most times that phrase includes words not suitable for this piece.

Since 2004, the Eagles playcalling has pretty much been one sided, and lately, it has been predictable. Although, Reid's play calling has powered the Eagles to top ten rankings in offense since 2006. But the lack of a running game has led to the Eagles' red zone struggles and inconsistency of scoring.

But, that one sided attack, may be one sided no longer. Here is a preview of the possible changes we could see in Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg's play calling in 2009.

More even pass/run ratio

For the first time since 2003, the Eagles have depth at running back. They signed hybrid fullback/running back Leonard Weaver in free agency and drafted former Pittsburgh standout LeSean McCoy in the second round of the draft.

Weaver gives the Eagles the ability to move the chains in short yardage situations (insert: Buckhalter and Hunt failing four times in Chicago). Weaver also has big play ability in the pass game. He catches the ball well on screens and has the quickness and speed to move the ball after the catch.

McCoy on the other hand is more like the oft-injured Brian Westbrook. He is a slasher back who has the vision and explosiveness to break games open. Like Westbrook, McCoy is also a threat to beat you as a receiver.

With Weaver and McCoy in the fold, Andy Reid should have no doubts about his running game, which SHOULD lead to Reid utilizing them consistnetly.

More production from the screen pass:

In years' past, Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg have utilized the screen game as well as anyone in the NFL. But in 2008, they saw little success in that department. It could have been for two reasons:

1. Shawn Andrews, one of the leagues' top guards being sidelined with back issues.

2. Brian Westbrook was far from 100 percent in 2008.

But with that said, the screen did have its highlights. Brian Westbrook broke one 71-yards for a back-breaking touchdown that ended the Vikings' season in the Wildcard round of the playoffs.

With the additions of Weaver and McCoy to go along with a healthy Brian Westbrook, there is no reason the Eagles should see production in the screen game.

Running back is not the only position that will see some touches on the screen. With the speed the Eagles possess at wide receiver, the big play is a definite possibility should Reid and Mornhinweg decide to utilize it.

DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jeremy Maclin and on occasion Hank Baskett, can all turn the little screen play into six points.

More potent passing attack:

I know what you're saying, how can the Eagles passing attack be more potent. By potency I mean consistency.

While the Birds' were one of the leagues highest ranking passing attacks, they lacked consistency in the red zone and throwing the ball deep. Most of their big plays came from DeSean Jackson or Kevin Curtis running a slant rather than the few times Hank Baskett breaking a long one.

Though, in the playoffs McNabb, Jackson and Curtis had more success down the field than the regular season.

Remember 2006? Donte Stallworth and Reggie Brown were a deadly combo for the deep ball throughout the year. They were making big plays down-field on a daily basis.

You would have thought that by adding DeSean Jackson last year, that the Eagles would be firing the ball deep consistently...wrong.

But by adding another threat in Maclin to go down field, Reid and Mornhinweg should open the playbook and look to make big plays down the field on a consistent basis.

Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp Preview: Position Battles

Orlando Morales — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:06:02 -0400

Eagles fans can smell this certain time of year as soon as the NFL Draft concludes. Yes, it is training camp. The time where tens of thousands of Eagles fans decked in midnight green flock to Lehigh University to get their sneak preview of the team.

The 2009 training camp will entail numerous depth and position battles. From the frequent battles along the offensive and defensive lines, to the war that will be waged at free safety, the 2009 training camp will be one to remember.

We begin our position battles preview at a position that was guarded for 13 seasons by Brian Dawkins, free safety.

FREE SAFETY: Sean Jones vs. Quintin Demps

This competition will be watched with impeccable detail, as both the second-year player Demps, and incoming free agent Jones each have the talent to be productive starters.

Quintin Demps:Andy Reid wasted little time announcing that Demps would be given the first crack at the starters job this offseason. Demps, a fourth-round draft pick in 2008 saw decent playing time at safety in 2008 due to his duties as the teams kick returner and some occasional time at cornerback.

Demps will be facing some significant questions coming into camp. Can he do all of the things that the Eagles ask of their safeties; step up against the run, pressure the quarterback, and make big plays in coverage.

Demps' maturity will come into question as well. He took some bad rookie penalties in 2008, most notably an ugly roughing the passer penalty in the Eagles crushing loss in the NFC Championship game. But as they say, with age comes maturity.

Sean Jones:That brings us to Sean Jones. Jones is a sixth-year player from Cleveland, where he flourished for the lowly Browns. The fact that he played for Cleveland may have been the main reason the Eagles were the only team to contact him this offseason as a free agent.

In his three seasons as a starter, Jones posted Pro Bowl numbers. He intercepted 14 passes: five in 2006, five in 2007 and four in 2008. He posted 243 tackles: 111 in 2006. 96 in 2007 and 56 in an injury plagued 2008.

Given his resume, there should be no doubt that Jones will get a fair chance to start for the Eagles in 2009. He has the size and speed to perform as a free safety. He looks to be a sure tackler, is always ready to lay the big-hit, and has a nose for the ball, all qualities of a certain player who used to occupy that position.

DEFENSIVE END: Darren Howard vs. Chris Clemons vs. Victor Abbiamiri vs. Juqua Parker

This has to go towards the top of the list of battles coming into camp for the Eagles. Four players, who have the combined skills of the next LT, and yet none of them were able to separate themselves from the pack in 2008.

Darren Howard:We start with the Eagles sack leader in 2008, Darren Howard. Howard rode the momentum of a very productive offseason into training camp, where he quickly impressed Jim Johnson. Howard then followed his solid training camp with his best year as an Eagle, tallying a team high 10 sacks.

However, Howard saw little time as an every-down end, registering a meager 26 total tackles. If Howard can show some more versatility as a run-stopper rather than just a pass rusher, he could very well be the full-time starter in 2009.

Chris Clemons:We now shift to the Eagles second splash in free agency from 2007-2008, Chris Clemons. Clemons came off of a strong season in Oakland where he tallied eight sacks, mostly as a third down rusher. The Eagles saw enough of him to sign him to a very lucrative five-year deal.

However, Clemons was sidelined for a good portion of training camp last summer when he suffered from severe dehydration. As the season began, Clemons saw little time on the field, but made an impact as the year wore on.

His playing time increased in the second half, where he registered all four of his sacks, two coming in the Eagles 44-6 trouncing of the Dallas Cowboys in the seasons final game.

If Clemons could have avoided that dehydration spell, he may have pushed Darren Howard to being cut, and earned himself some significant playing time. Like the aforementioned Howard, he will need to show that he can be more than just a pass rusher in camp to land a starting job.

Victor Abiamiri: We now look to third-year player Victor Abiamiri. The former Notre Dame standout battled through a wrist injury that sidelined him for a good portion of the year, only to make a big impact late in the season.

It took Victor awhile, but when the Eagles hit the stretch run, he stepped his game up, in limited playing time, posting two sacks. In the postseason, Abiamiri saw an increase in workload, and made the best of it, tallying six tackles and a sack in two games.

Like Chris Clemons, who knows what could have happened had he not gotten hurt in the beginning of training camp. Given his skill set and size, Abiamiri could be one of the front runners to land the starting role at defensive end. That is if he can stay healthy.

Juqua Parker: Now, we turn to Juqua Parker. JP came flying out of the gates as a sleeper to make the Pro Bowl, tallying 4.5 sacks in the team's first six games. Parker has the potential to be the every-down end the Eagles are looking for, but will need to put a full season together, not just six games.

As the season wore on, Parker saw his role as a run stopper diminish a bit with the emergence of Victor Abiamiri. Relegated to more of a pass rusher, Parker failed to register a sack in the teams final eight games. He and Howard may be the odd men out in this grouping, Parker more than Howard due to production in 2008.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER: Akeem Jordan vs. Omar Gaither

One of the changes that led to the Eagles resurgence in 2008 was Akeem Jordan's emergence in the second half of the season. Jordan replaced then starter Omar Gaither, who was having a solid season in week 12. Andy Reid and Jim Johnson made the change to give the defense a bit more speed, which is what Jordan brings to the table.

Akeem Jordan:Jordan flourished in 2008 following him being inserted as the starer, tallying 45 of his 61 tackles in his six starts. Jordan brings more athleticism to the table than Gaither, his speed and acceleration make him a reliable player against the run and in coverage.

He even garnered high praises from former middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, "When I saw this guy in camp, I said "If he gets to start, he'll be a Pro Bowler." That would send shivers up any young linebacker's spine.

If Jordan continues to improve his tackling ability and play recognition skills, he should have no problem holding on to that starting spot, that is if he can improve as I mentioned.

Omar Gaither: Being relegated to a backup in 2008 had to leave a bad taste in the mouth of Gaither. You go from being a very promising young player to a backup in a flash. Before being benched, Gaither was on pace for a big year, posting 59 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 10 starts.

Gaither is a bigger linebacker than Jordan, which gives him an edge as a pass rusher as well as a run stopper. He possesses adequate speed, but tends to be a liability in coverage against tight ends. He does a good job of wrapping up the ball carrier and has solid play recognition skills, which should give him a very good chance at winning his job back.

Right Cornerback: Sheldon Brown vs. Ellis Hobbs.

The addition of Hobbs raised some eyebrows on draft day. The Eagles already had themselves a solid group of corners, and then they throw the curveball that gets the media and fans swarming. Hobbs is projected to push Sheldon Brown for the starting job in training camp.

Sheldon Brown: It is really a shame that we are discussing Sheldon Brown's job being up in the air, due to the fact that he has been a rock at cornerback for the past five seasons.
No corner the Eagles have had in the past five years has been as solid as Sheldon in coverage. Sheldon's rare combo of cover ability, speed, and hitting prowess makes him a dangerous man in the secondary.

It would really shock me to see him lose his job in camp this year, even with the addition of Ellis Hobbs.

Ellis Hobbs: Hobbs has the potential to be a very good corner in the NFL, but his inconsistencies helped push him out of New England. He has the speed and ball skills to be an explosive corner, but just hasn't put it all together.

He is easily beaten on double moves and has the tendency to take some very bad penalties. He could see a shot at Sheldon Brown's starting job due to his contract situation.

Dime Cornerback: Jack Ikegwuonu v. Victor Harris

This is one of the more intriguing battles coming into camp. Ikegwuonu will be trying to prove that Andy Reid made the right move drafting him in the fourth round of last years draft. Meanwhile Harris will be mearly contending for a job.

Jack Igegwuonu: Ikegwuonu spent the entire 2008 season on injured reserve due to a torn ACL that he suffered while training for the combine. Prior to the injury, many scouts had him as a late first to early second round pick.

He displayed solid quickness and ball skills in college that make him an interesting player. But what is yet to be determined is how he will react to finally getting on the playing field in 2009.

Victor Harris: The Eagles saw enough in the former Virginia Tech standout to draft him in the fifth round. He projects more as a safety in the NFL, but has the playmaking ability to make in as a corner. This competition with Ikegwuonu should give him a solid chance to make this team and see some playing time.

Receiver: Brandon Gibson vs. Reggie Brown vs. Hank Baskett

We now shift gears to the offensive side of the ball. Where an always hot-button issue will house a big competition as we approach camp.

Brandon Gibson: The sixth-round pick out of Washington State in this year's draft has the potential to be a sleeper in 2009. He has all the makings to be another Muhsin Muhammad type receiver. He is a solid underneath receiver with a decent burst and solid leaping ability.

Camp will be huge time for him, not only because he is a rookie, but he needs to silence the doubters and skeptics who pointed out his struggles catching the ball as a senior. This kid has the talent and the character, now it is all about putting it all together. I really like him as either a fifth receiver or a solid practice squad addition.

Reggie Brown: Disappointment. That is the only word that comes to mind when considering Reggie Brown's performance, or lack there of in 2008. This is a make or break camp for Brown, sadly.

After showing flashes of being a future star during the 2005 and 2006 seasons, this guy has simply fallen off a cliff. Dropped balls, poor routes, injuries you name it, he has simply fallen apart.

If Brown can prove in camp that those ugly drops are a thing of the past, he may sneak on to this team. It will be interesting to see how he performs come July. Which Reggie will show up? The motivated player who makes big plays? Or the guy who drops passes and saw little playing time in 2008? Only time will tell I guess.

Hank Baskett: Some people would have Jason Avant here instead of Hank, but Avant is just too reliable over the middle and is the Eagles Mr. Third Down. Anyway, on to Baskett.

After coming to the Eagles via trade prior to training camp in 2006, Baskett turned heads with his leaping ability and down field prowess. But he has rarely flashed those abilities in his three years in Philadelphia.

Baskett has the tools, great leaper, solid speed, good hands, decent route runner, it is just a matter of putting it all together. Hank provides the Eagles with a deep threat and a goal line presence, but he needs to do those things on a more consistent basis. In 2008 he showed signs of improvement, but fell off a bit later in the year.

In camp he should see some significant competition from Gibson and Brown.

3rd String Running Back: Walter Mendenhall vs. Lorenzo Booker vs. Eldra Buckley

This one should be a doozy folks. The power and speed back the Eagles have lacked for years against the two shifty, scat backs who probably will not make it past the first cut.

Walter Mendenhall: Here is another player who is on my sleeper list. Mendenhall was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent following the draft. He could provide the power and speed combo the Eagles have lacked since Duce Staley. He is a load to bring down at 227 pounds to go along with a 4.4 40-yard dash.

At Illinois State in 2008, Mendenhall averaged a stunning 6.3 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns on just 126 carries. He is the older brother of Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall. It should be exciting watching this guy in training camp.

Eldra Buckley: I see Buckley as more of a gamebreaker more than a tackle breaker given his size. The Eagles do not need a gamebreaker, they have two at the top of their crop of backs. However, he may have a chance on this team as a special teamer.

Lorenzo Booker: What do Freddie Mitchell, Quintin Caver, Barry Gardner, and Lorenzo Booker all have in common? They all turned out to be all hype. Now that may be a bit premature given the fact that Booker has been with the team for all of a single year.

But this guy had Eagles fans and coaches salivating during training camp, where he displayed the explosiveness and versatility that made him the nations to running back in high school.

But that player never showed up for game time. It won't be camp that decides Booker's fate really, it will be the preseason games.

The Eagles will begin training camp Sunday, July 26, with rookies and selected veterans scheduled to report to Lehigh.

All remaining veterans are scheduled to report July 29, with camp breaking at Lehigh on Aug. 12.

NFC East Offseason Recap Part 1: Philadelphia Eagles.

Orlando Morales — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:48:33 -0400

With the NFL Draft officially behind them, football fans can now look towards training camp. This time also calls for my offseason breakdown of the NFC East. Aside from a certain team clad in Silver and Blue, and located in Texas, all three teams made significant moves.

The Eagles revamped their offense and solidified their secondary. The Giants put the finishing touches on a defense that will potentially be one of the leagues best in 2009. The Redskins got the top man in free agency and added to their already stout defense. While the Cowboys made bumbling move after bumbling move.

In this breakdown, I will:

Grade their free agent arrivals/departures
Grade their draft picks

Aaaand we're off!

The Eagles used the offseason to get younger and shed some of that age. Core veterans flew the coop, and they landed some solid young studs. The draft was the key component to the Eagles offseason. Reloading their offense and bringing in some of the nations most explosive prospects.

At safety, the Eagles lost Philadelphia legend, Brian Dawkins. But brought in blossoming star, Sean Jones and a solid backup, Rashad Baker. At tackle, the Eagles brought in the brother of All-Pro right guard Shawn Andrews, Stacy Andrews to play right tackle.

About two weeks before the draft, they pulled off a monster move, trading one of their two first round picks along with two other picks for two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters from Buffalo. On day two of the draft, the Eagles added depth to the cornerback spot by trading for Ellis Hobbs. Not a smart move from my standpoint; the Eagles worst move of the offseason. Now let's break down free agency and trades.

Arrivals:

Stacy Andrews RT/RG, B-: A lot of questions surrounding his consistency leaving Cincinnati.
Sean Jones FS/SS, A+: Extremley underrated. Should have been a two-time Pro Bowler in Cleveland. If given the chance to start, will produce.
Rashad Baker FS, B: Gives team solid depth behind Mikell, Jones, and Demps.
Leonard Weaver FB, A: Finally a true fullback. Can get the tough yards and make impact out of backfield. Solid run blocker.
Jason Peters LT, A-: Some questions of his 2008 performance leaving the Bills. But really gives the Eagles a great replacement for Tra Thomas.
Ellis Hobbs, CB, D. The worst move of the Eagles offseason in my eyes. He was burned on a daily basis in New England and is a penalty magnet. I don't see where he will fit in with the Eagles. A downgrade from Sheldon Brown.

Departures:

Brian Dawkins (Denver) - D-. Tough to let go of someone who was the heart and soul of the franchise, but it's now time to move on.
Correll Buckhalter (Denver) - C. He deserves the chance to start somewhere since Andy Reid really under-utilized him.
Tra Thomas (Jacksonville) - B. Again, it's hard letting someone so important go, but it had to happen. The line needed to get younger.
Greg Lewis (New England) - B. Lewis just filled out the roster. He occasionally made the big play, but really made minimal impact.

Draft:

Round 1: Jeremy Maclin WR, Missouri. A. Creates a matchup nightmare for the Eagles. Unexpected, but a great move.
Round 2: LeSean McCoy RB, Pittsburgh. B. An absolute needed pick. McCoy will not bring the power presence the Eagles might need, but adds another weapon and has the ability to be a star.
Round 5: Cornelius Ingram TE, Florida B. High risk, high reward pick. The reward, you get a player who has the skill set of the second coming of Shannon Sharpe. Undersized playmaker with good tight end speed.
Round 5: Victor "Macho" Harris, CB/S, Virginia Tech, B-. Versatile player who will make this team as a special teamer or on the practice squad. Projects more as a safety in the NFL due to his lack of deep speed.
Round 5: Fenuki Tupou, OT, Oregon, B. Another project player for Andy Reid to develop. Has the size to compete, but at best he adds depth.
Round 6: Brandon Gibson, WR, Washington State, B+. I love this pick. Has the ability to sneak up on people as a solid receiver. My sleeper pick. Dropped partially due to the lack of success by his college team and some injury questions.
Round 6: Paul Fanika, OG, Arizona State, D-. The one pick that I disagree with. Probably won't make the practice squad. Too stiff and lacks the intangibles to make any sort of impact on this roster.
Round 7: Moise Fokou, OLB, Maryland, B-. Has a chance to be the new Joe Mays. He's undersized, but performed well in college. Solid motor.

Final Draft Grade: B+.

As I mentioned earlier, this team will be a nightmare for teams to matchup against. Maclin, McCoy, Ingram, and possibly Gibson just add more firepower to the Eagles arsenal. They addressed all of their key needs. The Hobbs move brought this from a solid A to a B+.

Offseason Final grade: A-

The Eagles by far had the best offseason of any team in the NFC East. They filled key needs and brought in some players who could make a huge impact. They will be a team to be reckoned with in the NFC.

Sean Jones: The Steal of Free Agency

Orlando Morales — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:11:42 -0400

Lets start with a scenario. A friend comes up and starts talking about a ball-hawking safety named Sean Jones. I bet you bust out with, "Who?!?"

In case you have been shielded from the world for the past week or so, the Eagles have brought in former Cleveland Browns safety, Sean Jones, to fill the void that Brian Dawkins left when he departed after 13 memorable seasons in Midnight Green.

Now, there is no "replacing" a Brian Dawkins, but bringing in a player with the hidden talents of Sean Jones is a very positive thing. Like two players I have already profiled (O.J. Atogwe and Ron Bartell) Jones is a very good defender, stuck on a horrible defense.

Over the past three seasons, Jones ranks third in the NFL in interceptions with 14. He has some great company above him though, O.J Atogwe (16) and Ed Reed (21).

He has been known in Cleveland as a very good hitter, tenacious ball hawk, and a gambler in the secondary, exactly what defensive coordinator Jim Jonson likes in a defensive back.

This is a step in the right direction for the Eagles. They lose a player with the bevy of talents like Dawkins, but gain a solid replacement in Jones. Now, Jones is nowhere near the locker room leader and vocal presence that Dawkins was, but his talents are undeniable.

Jones is a player that would have drawn a lot of interest had he been on a better team. Thank you Cleveland for your incompetence.

Since being drafted in the second round out of Georgia in 2005, Jones has been a mainstay in the Browns' secondary. Not seeing much playing time as a rookie contributed to the reasons for his outstanding breakout season in 2006.

2006 was a season in which Jones should have been an easy Pro Bowl selection. Leading strong safeties with 111 tackles and racking up five interceptions to go along with a team high 16 pass deflections.

The 2007 season was another successful one for Jones, one that again could have ended in a Pro Bowl selection. Recording 96 total tackles to go along with five interceptions is Hawaii worthy in my book.

Then came the ever disappointing 2008 season. For Jones it was another solid season. His stats took a dip, but they didn't drop to the point where he was downright pitiful. He battled some tough injuries throughout the season and still was able to record four interceptions.

Now, why this guy had his first visit more than a week after free agency is a question unto itself. He obviously is a diamond in the rough, as cheesy as it sounds. He could be the biggest steal in free agency this season, given his upside.

But he has some big shoes to fill in those of Brian Dawkins. Dawk left a lasting memory among the fans, who knows if the fans will endear themselves the way they did Dawkins. Who knows? We Philly fans a quite the fickle bunch, he may get booed if he makes a game winning interception in overtime.

When asked about filling the void Dawk left, Jones had this to say, "I think I’m a well-rounded player, I like to come down in the box and hit you.

"At the same time, I’m a ball-hawk. I’m going to try to implement both of those parts of my game here. Along with two great cornerbacks on the corner and a young safety next to me, we’re going to try to get the ball rolling.”

And it is only fitting, that once Dawkins leaves Philly, the Eagles bring in someone who looked up to him as a youngster to fill his position, “Brian Dawkins was a great player,” Jones said. “I always looked up to him growing up. It was unfortunate for Eagles fans to miss a guy like that.”

Only time will tell if my foretelling of Jones being steal in free agenct will come true. I speak for all Eagles fans when I say, I sure hope so.

Brian Dawkins: Farewell to a Great Leader

Orlando Morales — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:11:31 -0400

Just a quick little note here, this article should have been published a week ago, but I guess, due to some technical difficulties, it didn't.

Since being drafted 61st overall in the 1996 NFL Draft, Brian Dawkins has been the heart and soul of the Philadelphia Eagles defense. He is one of the most popular sports figures in the history of Philadelphia. Now, for the first time in 13 years, Brian Dawkins will strap up every Sunday wearing a different jersey.

Two weeks ago, Dawkins signed a five-year, $17 million contract with the Denver Broncos. Fans, infuriated with the fact the Eagles front office failed to offer Dawk a reasonable contract, will be forced to eat, sleep, and breathe Eagles football without their emotional leader.

Dawkins will be remembered for his play on the field, as well as his motivational speeches. Before each game, Dawkins gathers all of his teammates in the secondary and delivers a fiery speech to get them going. While he was quite the speaker, B-Dawk was also a great entertainer.

On Sunday’s, when the Eagles defense would be introduced, the entire crowd looked forward to seeing how Brian would make his entrance. Some times he would do a somersault, sometimes it would be a little dance followed be flexing his muscles, or just a primal scream before being greeted by his teammates.

One thing people will never question about Dawkins is his intensity.

No player, aside from Ray Lewis, exemplifies the leadership on and off the field every day than Dawkins. He takes young rookies under his wing every season. He’s helped mold Eagles’ strong safety Quintin Mikell into a Pro Bowl caliber player.

While choking back tears in an interview, Mikell said of Dawkins, "I feel like I've learned so much from him, but I feel like no one is ever done learning,when you are done learning, you're dead."

On the field Dawkins intensity resembled that of his favorite action-comic hero, Wolverine from X-Men. Monday through Saturday, he was a humble veteran strolling around the NovaCare Complex, but when that first whistle blew on game-day, he was a totally different animal, exploding with energy, flying around, and making plays.

Rich Hoffman, a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News writes, “ This guy isn’t just a football player, but a ferocious state of mind.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

His emotion, his style of play and the way he directed himself towards the fans is what makes him so beloved in the City of Brotherly Love. When the Broncos travel to Lincoln Financial Field in 2009, they will be bringing a piece of Philadelphia with them.

Torry Holt: The End of an Era in the Gateway to the West?

Orlando Morales — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:46:15 -0500

Since 2000, no receiver has been on the level of Torry "Big Game" Holt. No receiver has played with the class and charisma of Torry Holt.

No receiver has put up the numbers Holt has on a consistent basis. In a nut-shell, Torry Holt is a guaranteed first-ballot Hall of Famer.

But as Holt heads into the twilight of his career, his team, the St. Louis Rams, are in the middle of one of the darkest eras in franchise history...an era that has prompted questions as to how long Holt will remain the the franchise that drafted him with the sixth pick in the 1999 draft.

In his 10-year career, Holt has earned seven Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro selection. He has caught 869 passes for over 12,000 yards and scored 85 touchdowns.

Holt has accomplished all of that without being the distraction that receivers like Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson have been. Holt is one of the true class acts of the NFL.

Holt recorded over 1,000 yards in eight consecutive seasons spanning from 2000-2007. From 2000-2005, Holt recorded six seasons of over 1,300 yards. He is clearly among history's elite as far as consistency goes.

He has been there for the good times, the mediocre and he's stuck with the team through these dark times.

Now it seems as if Holt is ready for a change of scenery as he has reportedly asked for his release.

For Holt, he would be leaving the city where he became one of the most feared receivers in the game. He would be leaving the franchise that he helped win its first and only Super Bowl championship.

For the Rams, it would signify the official end of the "Greatest Show on Turf". Now, the GST is WAY past its heyday in which it was the most potent offense that anyone had ever seen. But Holt is the last remaining skill position of that group.

The Rams would see their receiving corps lose a tremendous leader on and off the field. The veteran of the group would be Dane Looker, who brings maybe about a third of what Holt brings to the table every Sunday.

Who can blame Holt for wanting out? Really. The guy has not sniffed the playoffs since 2004.

The Rams are in no way, shape or form poised for a deep playoff run in 2009, and Holt is not at the age where he can wait around much longer for a team to rebuild from scratch.

Now I'm not saying the Rams will not make the playoffs next season, because the Dolphins disproved that theory this year by going from 1-15, to 11-5.

The Rams will likely try to trade Holt somewhere if they were to send him packing. That will not be necessarily easy.

Holt has a lot of money coming his way in 2009, which makes the market for him pretty small. Teams like the Eagles, Giants, or Titans could be the top contenders should the Rams pursue a trade.

Either way you look at it, Torry Holt's stint in Blue and Gold could be coming to its end...as hard as it may be for Rams fans to believe.

How Jordan Gross' Signing Affects Eagles' Offseason Plans

Orlando Morales — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:14:14 -0500

The Eagles' offseason plans took a major punch to the gut yesterday when the Panthers announced they had re-signed Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jordan Gross. Prior to the signing, Eagles fans worldwide sat at home, salivating at the prospect that the Eagles could possibly reel in this behemoth.

Signing Gross would have given the Eagles the go-ahead to reload their weapons arsenal in the draft. By loading up on receivers and running backs in the first couple of rounds, it seemed feasible that the Eagles would have filled in some of those skill position deficiencies.

But with that plan gone awry and the Eagles left with a glaring hole at offensive tackle, it is almost set in stone that the Eagles will either package one or both of their first round picks to move up in the 2009 draft or use both picks on tackles.

So another draft will pass with the Eagles loading up on linemen and neglecting their skill position needs. But can you really blame them?

Championship teams are bolstered by the two lines. The Eagles have one of the more dominant defensive lines in the league, but are left with a very weak offensive line with the departures of book-end tackles Jon Runyan and William Thomas.

There have been no talks of Thomas or Big Jon coming back, so it seems as if Andy Reid is ready to move on at that position.

Not only is there an issue at offensive tackle, there is the question of the mental and physical health of the once-dominant Shawn Andrews.

I was one of the many Shawn Andrews sympathizers when it was announced that he was battling depression. I was ecstatic on opening day, watching him manhandle La' Roi Glover for 60 minutes in the Eagles' 38-3 romp over the Rams. But when his season was ended due to a nagging back injury, I had serious questions about his future in Philly.

Will he be mentally and physically ready to play in 2009? Who knows?

Will he want to play again? We'll see.

So that leaves the Eagles with numerous glaring holes along the offensive line, escalating the importance of adding depth along the line and making the need for skill position players less important.

The Eagles could still address the offensive tackle position in free agency, but there is little talent that can compare with that of Runyan, Thomas, and Gross.

If they intend on moving up in the draft, they could possibly package those two first round picks, as I stated earlier, and move into the top 10 to go after Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, or Michael Oher.

But yet again, Eagles fans, we will be left with another boring offseason, one not fulfilling your wants and needs at receiver and running back.

Philadelphia Eagles' Top 10 Offensive Draft Prospects

Orlando Morales — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:57:11 -0500

Ah, draft time. A familiar, yet maddening time for Eagles fans. Every year on the last Saturday in April, we hope for the next Eagles star, most of the time, we are left pondering, "Do they know what the hell they're doing?"

With the way the Eagles have drafted for the past two years, you have to wonder that very question.

The Eagles traded their first-round pick in the past two drafts, leaving many fans speechless. From a fan's standpoint, I can't tell you how loud I was when I heard Roger Goodell announce the bad news last year.

Thank the lord for DeSean Jackson, eh?

Now we move to the upcoming 2009 draft. The Eagles have two first round picks, thanks to a trade in 2008 in which the Eagles traded their first round pick to Carolina for their first-rounder in 2009, and their second- and fourth-round picks that year.

There are many questions and predictions floating on who they should and shouldn't pick, as well as who they WILL and WON'T pick. Well here are my top ten draft prospects for the Eagles in 2009.

1) Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State, 6'1 237 lbs.

The Eagles will be very lucky should Chris Wells fall to them at the 21st pick. What could lead to this occurring would be the plethora of receivers and tackles that should be taken withing the first 20 picks.

Wells projects a lot like Steven Jackson of the St. Louis Rams. He has a great combination of size, power and speed.

When able to get to the outside, he shows great breakaway speed and once that speed kicks in, you really don't want to be in front of that truck.

Wells accumulated nearly 1,200 yards in 2008, along with eight touchdowns. While that did not quite live up to his 2007 season, he was sidelined for three games with an ankle injury.

Questions about his durability have caused some minor concerns in some circles, but I don't really consider this a major issue.

Wells could be the heir apparent to Mr. Questionable, better known as the Eagles explosive when healthy Brian Westbrook.

Westbrook is by no means a bruiser, and he struggled in short yardage situations.

Which again leads to Wells. He could bolster the Eagles rushing attack with his power, and solve our short-yardage prayers.

2) Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State, 6'5, 257 lbs.

Brent Celek is a very good receiving tight end. But I would rather send Brian Westbrook to stop that linebacker coming off of the weak side.

This is where Pettigrew would come in handy. Brandon Pettigrew will be a star in the NFL. His blocking capabilities along with his pass catching skills set him apart from every other tight end available in the 2009 draft.

Pettigrew didn't have the season he expected in 2008, mostly due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks. But he was very productive upon his return, making big plays and opening running lanes.

Questions arose about Pettigrew's character after he was charged with assault on a police officer in February 2008.

Police responded to an altercation at a Stillwater residence, asked people to leave and Pettigrew reportedly elbowed an officer in the chest. The situation has since quieted, which leads me to believe that those questions are pretty much irrelevant.

3) Eben Britton, OT, Arizona, Height:6-6. Weight: 310.

Britton is one of many talented tackles that should be taken in the first round. Most would consider him a top 15 pick if not for Eugene Monroe and the other four dominant tackles.

Britton is a natural, fluid athlete who is very fast (5.05) for his immense size. He moves well once he gains the second level and is a good pass blocker who shows great footwork and natural knee bend. Moving very well laterally, he has enough strength to seal off a side. Britton has shown the ability to pull and work up the field and is a very competitive and well respected leader in the huddle.

Some of the flaws in Britton's game would be that he struggles with the wide pass rush and really has his fits with stunts, but that should improve in time.

Britton, with some work could be a very solid lineman in the NFL, he just needs a bit more work. If he falls to the Eagles, Jon Runyan could take this massive monster and show him the ropes of the tackle position.

4) Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina - 6'2 210 lbs.

Hakeem Nicks has been considered by many to be the "CURE" for the Eagles so-called "receiving woes." While Nicks may be just the sexy pick to many of us, there is no denying that this guy has some special abilities that the Eagles' current receivers lack.

While Nicks lacks pure speed for a reciever, he has been very productive in his short collegiate career. He has amassed 2,180 yards and 17 touchdowns over the past two seasons and is the most prolific receiver in Tar Heel history.

Standing 6'2 and weighing 210 pounds, Nicks should develop into a solid receiver in the NFL. Teams looking for a good complimentary receiver like the Eagles should be happy with picking him.

Nicks would solidify the Eagles' need to add a physical receiver who can go up and get the ball.

5) Shonn Greene: RB, Iowa - 5'11 235 lbs.

Honestly, who saw Shonn Greene having the year he had in 2008? I certainly didn't.

Greene was arguably the best running back in the nation in 2008, rushing for over 100 yards in every game. No matter who you are, that is a very impressive feat.

Unlike Chris Wells, Greene has a very small amount of wear and tear on his body. For the first two years of his college career, he rushed for a meager 378 touchdowns and just two touchdowns.

That lack of pounding should benefit him in the NFL. He will be fresher than most backs coming out in 2009, which could move him to a late pick in the first round.

Body wise, Greene is massive. Built like a locomotive, those who are the first to contact him usually end up on the losing end, this guy rarely goes down after the first hit. That works well into the Eagles strategy I would say.

There is some question about his blocking ability, but his size could put those doubts to rest. He should have little trouble picking up the blitz at the next level.

Similar to Wells, Greene could solve the Eagles' problems in short yardage situations. His size gives him such an advantage, at a stout 5'11", he has a pretty low center of gravity to go along with his massive frame.

The Eagles may be even lucky enough to get him in the second round if he falls there.

6) Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri - 6'6, 245 lbs.

If Missouri had not blown its title hopes sky high in October, we would be talking about this guy being in the top 25 picks.

Coffman practically wrote the tight ends record book at Mizzou. He finished his senior season with 90 receptions for 987 yards and 10 touchdowns, not too shabby, eh?

His blocking skills do not really rival those of Brandon Pettigrew, which might lead the Eagles to shy away from him. But even with that minor issue, he is still the top receiving tight end available in the draft.

If Andy Reid is so inclined as to take this particular prospect, it could vastly improve the Eagles passing game.

Even as a rookie, he could still be a better blocker than any of the Eagles current tight ends, which could lead to some great things in both the passing and rushing attacks.

7) LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh - 5'11, 210 lbs.

McCoy is probably the most confusing on this list. There is no arguing his production at Pitt. Two seasons of over 1,300 yards and a combined 35 touchdowns is pretty tough to do.

The reason that McCoy is such a confusing pick is that it is really hard to gauge how good he really is. In the NFL, you need to be able to run well between the tackles, and that is something LeSean really struggles with.

But even with that problem, he shows very good instincts and balance. Many times, you will see him bouncing off tackles that most backs would struggle to break. He shows a solid second gear and is a real home run threat.

Also, he is not too bad catching the ball out of the the backfield, which is something most backs need to do in order to succeed in the NFL nowadays.

McCoy could be available in the second round if he doesn't have a good showing at the combine, which might make him more appealing to the Eagles. Philly could use him as a change of pace back or just to give Westbrook a rest early in his career.

8) William Beatty, OT, Connecticut - 6'6 306 lbs.

Beatty is another one of those very good tackles that could get lost in the shuffle of the first round. His massive size and frame could make him a very attractive pick at 28 or in the second round should he fall there.

Beatty's strength is by far his footwork. He is quick, light on his feet and can easily get to the next level. He does a fine job of sustaining his blocks and is a very solid pass blocker.

He handles the speed rush very well and displays very good balance. He has the skills to succeed at the next level, but will need some improvements.

Some of those improvements could be what keeps the Eagles away from him. He is not overpowering for his size and is not the run blocker is his capable of being.

He has had some minor injury problems, something the Eagles could do without, and he does not really use his hands well.

He could be a nice project pick if the Eagles were to sign Jordan Gross in free agency and keep Jon Runyan. Therefore, he could learn under their tutelage and develop his skills.

9) Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma - 6'8 337 lbs.

At a whopping 337 pounds and standing a massive six feet eight inches, Phil Loadholt is exactly what his name implies, an absolute load. Loadholt will most likely be another project at tackle if the Eagles were to take him.

While he has his massive size, he is not overly light on his feet. But can you blame him? He weighs nearly 350 pounds, people.

He really struggled against the speed rush in 2008 and more notably, against Brian Orakpo of Texas. I remember watching Orakpo just torture Loadholt in that classic shootout between Texas and Oklahoma.

But Loadholt showed some solid improvement during senior bowl week. He performed better against the speed rush and seemed to be a bit quicker. But as I said earlier, he will be a project even if he is a first round selection.

He has terrific upside and if he doesn't work out as a tackle, he definitely has the size to switch to an interior lineman.

10) Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland - 6'3 210 lbs.

Who's to say that the Eagles don't need more speed at receiver? Me. I love speed.

Darrius Heyward-Bey brings speed, size and strength. He is an inch taller and weighs only five pounds less than the much ballyhooed Hakeem Nicks.

It really comes as a shock to me that there is no hype around him at all. Maybe it's because of the lack of offense at Maryland this year. The quarterback play has been awful for the past couple of years, which has hampered some of DHB's success.

DHB has the size, strength and athleticism to be a real producer in the NFL. He has all of the intangibles to be a first round pick in april. But thanks to the lack of any passing game at Maryland, he will need to prove that to the scouts at the combine.

Using his athleticism, DHB could become one of the best jump-ball threats in the entire league.

He has the speed to burn and the overall ability to embarrass a defender. The only thing I would say he needs to improve on would be his route running. But other than that, I really don't see a glaring flaw in his game.

The Eagles could use his unique skill set in a variety of ways. If they draft him, they would most certainly have a dynamic passing attack in 2008.

This concludes my list. Any two of these 10 players would give the Eagles some help and keep them on the track to a Super Bowl.

NFC East Offseason Preview

Orlando Morales — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:37:37 -0500

The NFC proved in 2008, that they are the best division in the NFL. For those who would pick the NFC South, here is a little fun fact for ya. In matchups throughout the 2008 season, the NFC East was undefeated in games against the South.

The Eagles beat the Falcons 27-14
The Giants beat the Panthers 34-28
The Cowboys beat the Buccaneers 13-9
The Redskins beat the Saints 27-24

There, that is settled.

Now, we get to my preview of the offseason issues surrounding the NFC East. Every team in the division should have some very significant changes for the 2009 season.

New York Giants: 12-4 regular season

Big Blue enters the 2009 offseason with a laundry list of things they need to get straightened out.

First, they will need to re-sign their bull, Brandon Jacobs. The way some teams are looking for that size and speed combo nowadays, it would be foolish for the Giants to let Jacobs see the light of day as a free agent.

Next, they will need to address the ever-troubling Plaxico Burress situation. Whether it be keeping him on the team, or giving him the boot, a decision needs to be made immediately. If they release him, expect them to jump to the forefront of the Anquan Boldin sweepstakes or go after a free agent like T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Now we come to their linebackers. If there were a weak spot in the Giants' defense, it would have to be this unit. Antonio Pierce is solid in the middle, but he has virtually no help on the outside. There are a good number of free agents available for hire in 2009. Players like: Bart Scott, Karlos Dansby or Terrell Suggs would fit nicely into the fold.

The draft could be where they improve the linebackers as well. Aaron Curry or Rey Maualuga would fit if the Giants are interested in trading up.

Giants offseason needs

Re-sign Jacobs.
Address the Burress situation.
Re-vamp the linebacker position in FA or the draft.

Philadelphia Eagles: 9-6-1 Regular Season

The Eagles list of needs dwarfs those of the Giants. There are players to be re-signed, a quarterback wanting a new contract, and most of all a team leader that NEEDS to be back in 2009.

Andy Reid and the rest of the Eagles' front office have a long road ahead of them to be Super Bowl contenders again in 2009.

The offensive line of the Eagles was one of the league's elite in the regular season, but the wear and tear of the season took its toll on veterans Jon Runyan and William Thomas. The two struggled mightily in the playoffs against the speed rushers of the Vikings, Giants, and Cardinals.

Both Big Jon and Thomas are free agents come Feb. 27. I see Runyan as the likely candidate to come back for the '09 season. Runyan's struggles were mostly due to a variety of injuries suffered towards the end of the season while Thomas just flat out struggled.

It is very likely that the Eagles will address the tackle situation in free agency or the draft.

Jordan Gross is the top free agent available at offensive tackle, but the Panthers will most likely re-sign him to a long-term deal.

As for the draft, there are a plethora of tackles available that could fall to the Eagles at the 21st or 28th picks, including Michael Oher or Eben Britton to name a couple.

Brian Dawkins, the Eagles' emotional leader for the past decade, will be a free agent as well. I don't see the Birds' letting Dawkins leave the nest though. He is too important of a player and the young players on the defense really look up to him. You can't let a guy like that go.

Even with the re-signing of Dawkins, the Eagles will need to look for his long-term replacement in the draft. Maybe Louis Delmas or William Moore could fall to them in the first two rounds.

Brian Westbrook broke down towards the end of the season, and aside from a 71-yard touchdown jaunt in Minnesota, was ineffective in the playoffs.

The Eagles need to look for his long-term replacement in the upcoming draft. Maybe Chris Wells or Shonn Greene will fall to them and give the Eagles the power running game they've lacked since the days of Duce Staley.

Now we reach a very touchy topic, RECEIVERS.

Ah, we Eagles fans know this debate all too well. Those who read my articles already know my stance on this. Getting a top receiver is a want, not a need. A receiver like T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Anquan Boldin, or Antonio Bryant would be nice for the Eagles, but not necessarily what they need right now.

Eagles offseason needs:

Re-sign Brian Dawkins.
Address the offensive tackle situation in FA or the draft.
Look for long term replacement for Brian Westbrook.
Look for long term replacement for Brian Dawkins.
Maybe go after another top flight receiver.

Dallas Cowboys: 9-7 Regular Season

Dallas had to be the biggest disappointment of the 2008 season. A team heralded as the favorite to win the Super Bowl fizzled out and choked again at the end of the season.

The supposedly "most talented team in the league" turned out to be the team with the most ego.

Dallas has already washed their hands of the Adam "Pacman" Jones situation with his release earlier this week. There are a handful of problems on that team that owner Jerry Jones will need to address in the coming weeks

The secondary for Dallas was pitiful throughout the year. Terrence Newman was plagued with injuries and never really got in a groove. The Pacman move proved to be a waste, and starting corner Anthony Henry had one of his worst seasons. They will need to look to upgrade the position in the offseason.

The Dallas offensive line did a pretty good job of protecting Tony Romo, but at times they looked completely inept as to what the snap count was and committed a boat load of penalties. Flozell Adams was the main culprit in the penalty category; he may need to be replaced via free agency.

They lack any type of leadership in that locker room. Demarcus Ware and Romo need to take charge of that team and keep those egos in check.

Speaking of egos. How about the world's biggest ego maniac, Terrell Owens. There have been rumblings that T.O. could be on his way out of Big D. Jerry Jones' son Stephen Jones reportedly has been trying to sway daddy dearest's opinion on the self-absorbed receiver.

I think ridding themselves of Owens could be the move that puts Dallas in a very good position. It would eliminate a lot of animosity in the locker room and give everyone some sanity.

Cowboys offseason needs

Re-vamp the secondary.
Re-tool offensive line.
Establish some locker room leadership.
Address Terrell Owens situation.

Washington Redskins: 8-8 Regular Season

Washington may be the team with the least amount of team needs for the 2009 season.

Their late-season collapse in 2008 was due to an anemic offense. The offensive line struggled protecting quarterback Jason Campbell, who made his fair share of poor decisions by the way.

They need to seriously re-think their offensive line. They had a lot of trouble keeping Campbell clean in the pocket and hampered is performance a bit. The interior linemen were fine. It was the performance of Stephon Heyer and the absence of All-Pro tackle Chris Samuels that caused the struggles.

There should be a number of tackles available when the Redskins pick at 13.

One of the few needs for the Skins' is along the defensive line. Jason Taylor made a minimal impact and has even questioned his own worth to the franchise. They could draft a solid rookie at defensive end or they could go after Julius Peppers in free agency, just some food for thought for Dan Snider.

One more issue in Washington could be a bubbling quarterback controversy between Jason Campbell and second-year player Colt Brennan.

Brennan, as you may remember, set numerous passing records while at the University of Hawaii in 2007.

Campbell's poor performance in the second half of the year raised many questions about his ability and fans began to call for Brennan. Jim Zorn will need to address this come mini-camp.

Redskins offseason needs

Improve defensive line in FA or Draft.
Re-vamp offensive line.
Address possible quarterback controversy.

Depending on which teams do what, there could be a major shift in power this offseason. The Giants could see themselves fall near the bottom of the division. It's not likely, but definitely possible.

Chase Utley Already at Spring Training: What Does This Mean for the Phightn's?

Orlando Morales — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:04:37 -0500

Following the Phillies World Series victory, it was announced that Phillies all-world second basemen, Chase Utley would need hip surgery. It was expected that Utley would be out of the lineup possibly until June, maybe even July.

But right now, that seems to be nothing but a formality. Chase was seen at the Phillies spring training facility fielding ground balls and doing some light running, according to Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia.

What does this mean for the Champ's repeat hopes in 2009? I'd say it means a lot. Before a nagging hip injury hampered Utley's second half success in the 2009 season, he was one of the leading candidates for NL MVP. He has become on the the league's top fielding second basemen and a tremendous hitter.

Without Utley, the Phils' would be left with the highly touted Jason Donald, and free agent signee Marcus Giles as replacements. That would take a lot of firepower out of the Phightn's lineup.

That would be 33 home runs missing from the lineup. That would be 104 RBI missing from the lineup. That would be 113 runs scored missing. Pretty big punch to the gut the way I see it.

It also assures the Phillies of their batting order. Ryan Howard would have no protection in that lineup. The fact that Utley is such a dynamic and powerful hitter gives the Phillies big man the chance to see more hittable pitches.

Another thing that would take care of is the defense. Marcus Giles and Jason Donald are far and away, inferior to Chase as fielders. I could go on forever with how many game saving plays Chase has made over the past few seasons.

Not to mention that he and shortstop Jimmy Rollins make up one of the best double-play duos in the entire league.

Just the mere presence of Chase at spring training will take some pressure off of the defending champs.

Are Brian Westbrook's Days as a Starter Numbered in Philadelphia?

Orlando Morales — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:13:43 -0500

Before we begin, let me start by saying this. I love Brian Westbrook. I believe he is the second greatest back to ever strap up in Philadelphia, behind the great Wilbert Montgomery.

But multiple injury-plagued seasons have caused some concern around the NovaCare Complex recently, and it has draft experts thinking the Eagles will look for Westbrook's eventual replacement.

I personally see no flaw in that. A running back's shelf life in the NFL nowadays is about 10 years, when healthy. Westbrook is anything but healthy right now, and the playoffs were a great example of that.

Aside from one play against Minnesota, Westbrook was nothing but a body out on the field. Injuries have been a problem for him since his breakout year of 2003. In the final week of the season, he tore a muscle in his triceps and was forced to sit out the postseason.

Needless to say, the Eagles sorely missed the presence of their diminutive, yet talented running back. The Eagles offense, anemic on both sides of the ball again, lost the NFC Championship game that year to the Panthers.

Who is to say that if Westbrook didn't get hurt in that final game, the Eagles could have won and had a shot at glory in Super Bowl XXXVIII?

In 2005, a lisfranc sprain in his foot in a 42-0 loss to Seattle caused Westbrook to miss the final few games. He had season-ending surgery that week, and rookie Ryan Moats replaced him.

Westbrook battled knee injuries in 2006 and 2007—listed on the injury report every week. He missed a total of two games in that span.

Then came 2008. Westbrook was questionable EVERY week of the season, given the moniker "Mr. Questionable."

As the Eagles steamrolled into January, Andy Reid made a statement that bothered me deeply. He said that his running back's joints were bothered by field turf. So on the days that the Eagles practiced in their bubble, they kept him out.

It may just be me, buuut, THERE IS SOMETHING TOTALLY WRONG WITH THAT STATEMENT.

Knowing that your first two games will be played on FIELD TURF, why put the guy in such a precarious situation?

Speculation has risen about the Eagles drafting Chris Wells out of Ohio State or LeSean McCoy as possible replacements for No. 36.

As I said before, I have no problems with that. Drafting another dynamic back to take some of the load off is just what Westbrook needs.

He is in no position to be shouldering 25 carries in a game, nor 250+ carries in a season for that matter. The Eagles didn't wear out Brian Westbrook's career; injuries caught up to him.

The Great Eagles Debate: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Anquan Boldin, or Antonio Bryant?

Orlando Morales — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:12:26 -0500

As a Philadelphia Eagles fan, this phrase has sickened me for the past four seasons. We all know it. "They need to get a big-time receiver."

Who can argue with the fans' logic? The one time the Eagles had a top-notch receiver in this decade, they won the NFC Championship.

With the Eagles now having two true starting wide receivers on the roster now, demand for another stud is heating up. Future free agent, T.J. Houshmandzadeh did nothing to calm the Philly faithfuls with his comments on ESPN, saying, "If the Eagles are interested in me, let's put it like this. If they’ll be interested in me, I’ll be interested in them."

Houshmandzadeh would really give the Eagles another outside threat, which they have lacked in recent seasons. I love his size and physical abilities.

The best part about his game is his hands. Houshmandzadeh arguably has the best hands in the NFL, which is really great about him. The Eagles have been among the league leaders in drops for the past three seasons.

The only negative I have against him would be his age. He will turn 32 years old at the beginning of next season. Do the Eagles really want to get locked into a long-term deal with a player who might not be around halfway through it?

Now, we move to Anquan Boldin.

This is a situation that really annoys me. Don't get me wrong, Boldin is an amazing player. I love the way he plays. He runs like a boulder. Tacklers just bounce off of him as if they were childeren.

The thing that annoys me is that people think that the Cardinals are willing to part ways with Boldin for nothing. He would need to be acquired through a trade. Someone, please tell me, what can the Eagles trade for him?

Do not say Lito Sheppard or Reggie Brown. My left shoe has more trade value than both Brown and Sheppard combined. Neither could find the field much in 2008 and really played poorly when on it.

Unless the Eagles package some draft picks, one being a first-rounder, and maybe a young player like Bryan Smith or Omar Gaither, don't expect Boldin to get anywhere near Philadelphia.

That leads us to Antonio Bryant.

This is a very interesting situation. Bryant came out of nowhere in 2008 to be one of the NFC's top receivers. He is a free agent and I don't believe he will be back in Tampa Bay, despite the Bucs willingness to re-sign him.

He has very good speed, solid hands, and good size, which are all the tools of a star player. It seems as if the guy has been playing for a long time, but he is only 27 years old. The former second-round pick of the Cowboys could be the missing piece to the Eagles puzzle, like Terrell Owens was in 2004.

The only flaw I could see with Bryant would be his off-field troubles. He missed the entire 2007 season following his arrest in 2006 for driving upwards of 100 miles per hour on Highway 101. He was later suspended that year for a failed drug test.

If he keeps his off-field issues in check, he will be a star.

Of these three receivers, who would you rather see in Philadelphia? I would rather have Antonio Bryant.

He may be a "one-year wonder," but he has all the makings of a star. His speed, his size, and his soft hands all make me want to see him in Philly even more.

If not him, then Houshmandzadeh. He is similar to Bryant, but just not as much speed.

As for Boldin. Don't get your hopes up, Philly. It will take a king's ransom to get him out of the desert.

NFL Free Agency Preview: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati Bengals

Orlando Morales — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:31:42 -0500

There will be no bigger name at receiver in free agency in 2009 than T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Nor could there be any better a talent. The current Bengal is likely to leave Cincinnati this offseason via free agency, and he should have no problem doing that.

TJ has been one of the leagues elite possession receivers for quite some time now. But His contributions to the Bengals offense has yet to amount to a single playoff win. The 31-year old will want to go to a contender should he take his chances in free agency.

Whoever signs TJ will be getting an experienced vet, who constantly moves the chains. TJ's big frame and physical nature will attract many teams looking to upgrade at receiver.

There aren't many flaws in TJ's game. He's big, he's strong. He has decent speed and can be a punishing receiver after the catch. The only gripe I would have against him would be his yards per reception. But that stat is meaningless due to the fact he is constantly moving the chains.

Here are the teams I think TJ could sign with this offseason.

Oakland

The Raiders are in serious need of a solid receiver right now. People are labeling Jamarcus Russel as a bust and it sort of infuriates me. How can you label a young QB as a bust when he has been given very little talent to work with at receiver? TJ would provide the young receivers in Oakland with some veteran leadership and show them the ropes of being a receiver in the NFL.

Philadelphia

TJ has already expressed interest in being an Eagle in 2009. As an Eagles fan I would much rather have Antonio Bryant instead. But the addition of TJ would give the Eagles a good boost in the passing game.

Seattle

Matt Hasselbeck is in serious need of weapons on offense. It has been a one man show for the past three seasons, and all three have yet to return the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.

New York Giants

This move would only be necessary if the G-men were to let go of troubled star wideout Plaxico Burress. Amani Toomer has already said he doesn't want to come back next year, and if Burress leaves, it will leave a gaping hole in their offense.

Kansas City

The Chiefs would love to have another solid receiver along their young star Dwayne Bowe. TJ would give them a good boost in the passing game, although the Chiefs might have bigger needs this offseason.

Jacksonville

The Jags pass game was awful this year, compared to 2007. Jerry Porter did not come as advertised and struggled to get started following sitting out the first few weeks due to injury. TJ would solidify their attack and give them a solid physical presence in the slot-

NFL Free Agency Preview: Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Orlando Morales — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:24:16 -0500

It comes to me as a surprise that you don't hear anything about Antonio Bryant this year in free agency. Coming off of a stellar 2008 season in which he reeled in 83 passes for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns, Bryant is easily the best, yet most underrated free agent in the 2008 class.

Bryant was a cast-off with previous teams due to a few character flaws. The former second round pick of the Dallas Cowboys seemingly has overcome those problems and performed to the level the experts expected out of college.

Bryant is very comparable to the Cowboys' Terrell Owens. He is big, strong, and fast. Tampa would be foolish to let a player of Bryant's caliber get away. But who knows? Maybe he was a one-year wonder. Could it be that he was in a system that fit his needs with Jon Gruden?

I don't see Bryant returning to the Bucs. They just hired a new coach, one who is a defensive specialist by the way. The entire team is in disarray. You have people trashing the recently fired Jon Gruden, and you have the few players defending him. Nothing but drama right now.

Another thing Bryant has going for him is his age. Though he has played six seasons, he is relatively young at 27 years old—the perfect combo of youth and experience.

That is why I think Bryant will leave. Here are the teams I could see him going to in free agency.

Philadelphia

T.J. Houshmandzadeh has expressed interest in the Eagles, but I think he is too old, and his yards per reception have decreased for the past few years. Eagles fans have this infatuation with the oft-injured Anquan Boldin. I think he is too injury prone for the Eagles.

That leaves us with Bryant. He has all of the qualities the Eagles need right now: size, speed, very good ball skills. It would be a very, very smart move for the Eagles to sign him.

St. Louis

The Torry Holt era may be coming to its end in the Gateway to the West. The Rams have a solid rookie in Donnie Avery but could use another threat on the outside for Marc Bulger. Holt struggled in 2008 and has declined to comment on whether he will be back in 2008. A report also surfaced that the Titans offered a first round pick for Holt before the trading deadline. This may be a necessity for the floundering Rams.

Dallas

This would only be sensible if the Boys were to cut all ties with Terrell Owens. If Owens departs, it would leave a big hole at the receiver position.

Seattle

Matt Hasselbeck really needs another option on the outside. Bryant could fit into that system. I'd expect the Seahawks to make a play for Bryant in the coming weeks.

Baltimore

Derrick Mason is 35 now, which would make this move very smart. Bring in another young receiver for the developing Joe Flacco to work with.

Cincinnati

The Bengals....excuse me, the Bungles, will most likely lost one of their two top receivers this offseason. TJ Houshmandzadeh has expressed interest in a new city, and Chad Johnson is probably going to demand yet another trade. That makes this move a necessity. Carson Palmer could really use another weapon on the outside.

Oakland

Jamarcus Russel really has no weapons at receiver. Chaz Schilens is a young player I really like, and Johnny Lee Higgins has some solid skills, but is better off as a returner. They really need a receiver that can muscle his way out of tackles and break one deep. Javon Walker doesn't seem to be the player he once was and could not be back in the fold in 2009. Expect Al Davis to be on the phone with Bryant's agent as soon as he hits the market.

NFL Free Agency Preview: Oshiomogho Atogwe, St. Louis Rams.

Orlando Morales — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:48:46 -0500

Free agent free safeties will be very hard to come by in 2009. That may help the marketability of Rams free agent Oshiomogho Atogwe. The fourth year safety had probably his best year in the blue and gold in 2008 and will be a very attractive player come February 27th.

Over the past two seasons, Atogwe has evolved into one of the leagues elite turnover-machines. Though he may be no Ed Reed, who is literally a ball magnet. O.J. has been one of the league's leaders in forced turnovers over the past two seasons.

A player comparable to Ed Reed in a way, Atogwe should be a high priority for the re-building Rams this offseason. The 2007 and 08' seasons were ones to forget for the Rams, but for Atogwe, they were seasons to remember. In 2007, Atogwe led the NFC in interceptions with eight. He followed his spectacular 07' season with a tremendous 08' campaign.

When you have five interceptions, seven forced fumbles and three recovered fumbles to go along with 85 tackles, I'd say that is a very solid season. Maybe Pro Bowl worthy. The kicker here would have to be, Atogwe missed the entire preseason and training camp with an injury. Imagine if he had been healthy all year long.

If you were to find a weakness in Atogwe's game, it would have to be his one-on-one game. When left alone in space, he tends to be a sloppy tackler. That would have to be it. He is a solid cover safety. Has a nose for the ball and takes advantage of every opportunity to strip the ball. An absolute ball-hawk if you will.

The Rams are very thin in their secondary at this point. The safeties lack any depth whatsoever, and the cornerback's have seriously struggled staying healthy. It is a strong possibility that the Rams will re-sign Atogwe. If they let him go, expect him to be on quite a few wish lists.

Other possible suitors

Oakland - Michael Huff has not really panned out in Oakland. Maybe it's time the Raiders look in another direction at safety.

New Orleans - The Saints secondary could use a face-lift right now. Their secondary allowed more than 221 yards in 2008, ranked 22nd in the NFL.

Philadelphia - Philly fans would probably hate to see this happen. This would mean the Brian Dawkins era would end. That is the only way Atogwe could end up in Midnight Green, if Dawkins retires or is not re-signed.

Chicago - The Bears' secondary was pitiful in the 2008 season and struggled forcing turnovers. Atogwe would flourish in the Windy City. His ball-skills would fit in perfectly with their secondary.

Buffalo - The Bills could use some help in their secondary. Ko Simpson is a decent player but he is no starter, that is where Atogwe could come in and give their secondary some firepower.

Seattle - The Seahawks' secondary took a turn for the worst in 2008. They lack any depth at free safety, which may attract them to Atogwe. Signing OJ would really sure up their secondary and would almost assure the fact that they will force more turnovers in 2009. Don't be surprised if new coach Jim Mora takes a shot at Atogwe.

Kurt Warner: The Story of a Warrior

Orlando Morales — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:11:42 -0500

Kurt Warner is the epitome of the “Rags to riches” story. He has ridden the NFL’s roller coaster over and over again. He’s been benched THREE times in his career for younger quarterbacks, but once again he’s fought back and led the once hapless Arizona Cardinals to their first Super Bowl berth.

Warner’s story almost never happened. Following being cut by two teams in the mid-'90’s Kurt was working at the local Hy-Vee department store in Iowa stocking shelves.

In 1995, the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League signed Warner to a contract. He led the Barnstormers to two Arena Bowl berths and was named first team All-Arena in both 1996 and 1997.

In 1998, Warner was given another crack at the NFL, this time with the St. Louis Rams. But the Rams allocated him to the European Football League where he played for the Amsterdam Admirals. Warner led the EFL in passing yards and touchdowns in 1998.

Warner made the Rams 53-man roster in 1999 and was granted the spot as the second string quarterback. Following an injury to veteran Quarterback Trent Green, Warner was named the starter. He led the Rams to a 13-3 record that year and was named league MVP.

Warner capped off his amazing season with a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl 34 where he was named MVP of the game.

Following two more consecutive seasons in St. Louis, another MVP award and one more Super Bowl berth, Warner fell victim to injuries. In 2003, Warner was benched for rising star Marc Bulger following a horrid start to the season. Realizing that his time in St. Louis was finished, Warner moved on to the New York Giants.

Warner led the Giants to a 4-1 record to start the 2004 season, but was benched for another young quarterback. The Giants top pick in that springs draft Eli Manning had been handed the job following Warner’s hot start.

Warner left the Giants the following year for the Arizona Cardinals. Warner’s first season in the desert was hampered by injuries and he was eventually sidelined for the season.

In 2006, Warner regained his starting job in Arizona, but struggled to start the season as the Cardinals stumbled out of the gates with a 1-3 record. Following the slow start, Warner was yet again, benched for another young quarterback.

Matt Leinart, the 11th overall pick by Arizona in the 2006 draft was given the job and took over for the duration of the season. Most quarterbacks would have given up following that. But not Warner.

Leinart started the 2007 season as the Cardinals starter, and Warner again the backup. But following a season ending injury to Leinart, Warner was again given the starting job five games into the season. Warner led the Cardinals to an 8-8 record and threw for 27 touchdowns in the final 11 games.

Now we fast-forward to the 2008 season. The Warner-led Cardinals came in with high aspirations. Warner and the Cardinals got off to a 7-3 start and were leading the NFC West. Warner, seemingly on pace for his third NFL MVP award had been dominant.

Arizona slumped in the second half of the season and lost four of their final six games. However, the Cardinals had clinched the NFC West with a victory over Warner’s former team, the Rams.

Warner did not win the MVP, but he has led the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl with the Cardinals victory in the NFC Championship game over the favored Philadelphia Eagles.

Warner threw four touchdowns in the game and led the Cardinals, who trailed at the time 25-24 on the game winning drive and threw the game-wining pass to Tim Hightower with 2:53 left.

In Super Bowl 43, it was Warner and the Cinderella Cardinals, against Ben Roethlisberger and the five-time champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Trailing 20-7 in the fourth quarter, Warner rallied the troops and led them on a furious 16-point rally.

With less than three minutes left in the game, Warner complete a 64-yard touchdown to Larry Fitzgerald to give Arizona its first lead. It was only fitting, that Warner would lead the charge and the Cardinals would shock the world.

But it was the final drive by the Steelers and receiver Santonio Holmes that stole Warner’s spotlight. The Steelers embarked on one of the greatest Super Bowl drives in recent memory, an 88-yard drive in the final three minutes of the game to shock the Cardinals and win their sixth Super Bowl in their 76-year history.

For Kurt Warner and the rest of the Arizona fans, this had to come as a shock. A quarterback twice left at the bottom of the barrel, leads a once maligned team to its first Super Bowl, make a dramatic comeback to take the lead, but then has its heart ripped out.

Warner has stated that he will consider retiring, but if he were to comeback, it would be as a Cardinal.

Two MVP awards (both in St. Louis), Super Bowl victory and MVP award, and one of the highest rated quarterbacks to ever play the game. Warner’s resume` speaks for itself. The numbers do not lie. With a career like this, there should be little doubt that his bust will one day be enshrined in the NFL’s Hall of Fame.

One for the Other Thumb: Steelers End Cardinals' Cinderella Run in Super Bowl

Orlando Morales — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:45:43 -0500

February 1, a day that will live in Steelers' lore for the rest of time. At 10:09 PM EST, Ben Roethlisberger's final kneel down cemented the Steelers' place in history as the only team in NFL history with six Super Bowl victories.

Santonio Holmes' 6-yard touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone was one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history. Holmes was the game's MVP and the award was well deserved. For without the play of Pittsburgh's pint-sized star, we would not be talking about a sixth Lombardi Trophy in the Steel City.

Holmes provided the Steelers with an offensive spark all game long, coming up with big plays and picking up key first downs. Holmes finished with nine grabs for 131 yards and two of the game's biggest plays: the 40-yard catch that set up the game-winning TD, and the aforementioned game-winner.

Ben Roethlisberger was not overly impressive in Super Bowl 43. But as he did three years ago, he came up with a big play late in the game to seal the win. Roethlisberger and Holmes hooked up four times for 73 yards on the game-winning drive. Ben was 7-for-8 on the drive for 88 yards.

Ben did the same thing he did throughout the playoffs. He avoided the Arizona pass rushers and scrambled around in the pocket to keep plays alive. He did the same thing on the game-winning pass to Holmes.

The Steeler defense, on the other hand, did not play especially great in the fourth quarter. They eventually lost the lead on Larry Fitzgerald's 64-yard touchdown catch. But they came up with turnovers and big plays when they were needed the most.

James Harrison, the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, recorded the longest play in Super Bowl history, a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown that halted an Arizona rally to end the first half.

LaMarr Woodley forced the final and deciding turnover with five seconds remaining by forcing a Kurt Warner fumble, killing any chance of another Cardinals comeback.

As for the Arizona Cardinals, their stunning Cinderella story came to a screeching halt in Tampa. Their offense seemed in disarray for much of the game. But their leader, the Graybeard Kurt Warner, was there to take the reins late in the game.

Warner put the weight of the entire team on his back in the fourth quarter and led them on a furious 16-point rally to take their first lead. He finally found his top receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, in that fourth quarter. Fitz was responsible for both Cardinal touchdowns in the fourth, one being a 64-yard pass to give his team the lead.

The Cardinals dominant trio of receivers - Boldin, Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston - combined for 292 of Warner's 377 passing yards. Fitzgerald was the biggest contributor with his seven catches for 127 yards and those two big touchdowns.

The Arizona defense was sensational for nearly 60 minutes of Sunday's Super Bowl. It was their final 2:37 that proved costly. They just couldn't put the final nail in the Steelers' coffin. They kept the Cards in the game. They held Pittsburgh out of the end zone twice from inside the 5-yard line. I guess the third time's the charm eh, Pittsburgh?

So Steeler fans. Remember Holmes heroics. Remember Ben's final 88-yard drive. Remember Harrison's 100-yard jaunt. Remember LaMarr Woodley's two sacks and forcing the game-clinching turnover. Remember it all. Savor it, drink it in. Because for the sixth time in your 76-year history, the Steelers are Super Bowl Champions.

NFL Free Agency Preview: Jordan Gross, Carolina Panthers.

Orlando Morales — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:57:43 -0500

The free agency class of 2009 is chock-full of talent along the offensive line. But nobody, talent-wise, stands out the way that Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross does. The former eighth overall pick is finally flourishing.

His ability to dominate the NFL's speed rushers is almost unparalleled. Any team that thinks it is an offensive linemen away or is in need of a young, heavily talented linemen ( I hope you're listening, Joe Banner ) should pick up the phone and give this guy's agent a call.

The 27-year-old Gross is a very versatile lineman. He can play both the right and left tackle positions effectively. Durability is also a plus in Gross' game; in his six-year career, he has missed only a single game. I would say injuries are a very small worry, if at all.

Solid and experienced offensive linemen are hard to come by nowadays. The demand for Gross should be very high come February 27th. As I mentioned earlier, contenders who may think that their line could use an upgrade would probably be the most attractive suitors for Gross.

With that said, the departure of defensive end Julius Peppers makes Gross a top priority for Carolina. If Jordan leaves, Carolina will lose two of their top leaders from 2008.

Possible suitors:

Dallas

Flozell Adams is a good player, but he is too inconsistent and commits way too many penalties. Maybe Jerry Jones takes a chance on upgrading his offensive line.

Philadelphia

With aging tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas headed for free agency, it is highly unlikely that the Eagles keep both of them. If the Eagles let both of them go, you can bet that they will be in the running for Gross.

Washington

Unless the Redskins are sold on Stephon Heyer, they will likely make a play for Gross. Heyer was very inconsistent last year and he will be facing many questions going into 2009.

Pittsburgh

Big Ben was under a ton of pressure for most of the season. The Steelers should definitely be in the running for a top tackle.

St. Louis

Alex Barron might have played his final down in Blue and Gold. He has been a bust, plain and simple. 2008 had to be the breaking point for the Rams with Barron. His inconsistency and penalty issues may have run its course in the "Gateway to the West".

Oakland

JaMarcus Russell needs some help along the line. Now, the Raiders have a lot of needs on offense, but the line should be the biggest priority. No quarterback can be successful without a strong offensive line.

NFL Free Agency Prevew Series: Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants

Orlando Morales — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:31:37 -0500

Of all of the running backs available via free agency in 2009, Brandon Jacobs is by far the best. Jacobs rare combination of size and speed make him such an intriguing player that it's almost impossible not to throw an offer his way.

The 6'4 264 pound running back was the leader of the Giants' "Earth, Wind, and Fire" ground trio. Jacobs ran for 1,089 yards on 219 carries (5.0 per rush) and 15 touchdowns. Jacobs has rushed for 5.0 yards per carry for the past two seasons. So why just a little over 1,000 yards each season?

Injuries.

Injuries have been part of the reason Jacobs numbers aren't as gaudy. Jacobs has missed a combined eight games over the past two seasons. Luckily, those injuries didn't really hurt the Giants—no thanks to Derrick Ward.

The demand for Jacobs should be rather high, that is if he doesn't re-sign with the Giants.

Jacobs is suited for a system similar to the Giants. No, not one with three running backs. A system that relies on the ground game. With Jacobs overwhelming size and power, a team could use him to just pound that rock all game and really wear out a defensive line.

If there are any weaknesses that Jacobs has it would be his health. He hasn't broken down late in the season yet but if he continues to suffer from these little nagging injuries, his production will dip, obviously.

With all of that said, I highly doubt Brandon will see the open market. I don't think Derrick Ward is the answer at running back ,and just the mere presence of Jacobs is enough to change the strategy of a defense.

Jacobs is such a lethal weapon. He is too dangerous to let slip away. New York will regret letting him walk.

Other possible suitors:

Philadelphia—The Eagles are in serious need of a big back that can take some of the load off of the oft-injured Brian Westbrook. I doubt the Eagles will spend the money for him. But hey, we can dream.

Kansas City—Larry Johnson has said that it's time to move on from the Chiefs, what better way to replace LJ with a player of Jacob's caliber.

Cincinnati—Cedric Benson was nothing special for the Bengals in 2008. With Benson being a free agent, Jacobs could be a very attractive player for Marvin Lewis' team.

Cleveland—Jamal Lewis seems to be wearing down, it is time the Browns got a back that can give them a dynamic attack.

NFL Free Agency Series: Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens.

Orlando Morales — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:15:10 -0500

No name has been more synonymous with Ravens football than Ray Lewis. Lewis has been the vocal and emotional leader of Baltimore for more than a decade. Lewis' play this year silenced any doubters who thought his time had passed.

Lewis' is eligible for free agency now and you can expect questions will arise. Will he leave the Ravens? Will he settle for a small deal with the Ravens? But the big question is, will he WANT to leave?

I don't think Ray would leave the Ravens. Baltimore still has a very bright future. They have a franchise quarterback and a great group of weapons in the pass and run game. Their offensive line could use a bit of a boost but they're still effective. The defensive line does a fine job. The secondary is experienced but very good.

But all three of the linebackers (Lewis, Suggs, Scott) are free agents. Lewis, being the heart of the team, would deal a devastating blow to the defense if he departed. With that said, Lewis has expressed little interest in playing somewhere else.

However, if Ray were to jump ship, he would most likely go to a contender with a 3-4 defense. His skills and leadership could put a team on the verge of success over the top.

But one would have to question, what would a player like Lewis demand dollar-wise? Giving Lewis a multi-million dollar deal is really taking a risk. While he can still play at a high level, do you really want to shell out big money to player in his mid-30's? Do you want to take the risk of a man his age getting hurt?

Those are two reasons I think Lewis will remain with Baltimore.

The demand for Lewis should be high. But as I mentioned earlier, he won't go to just anyone.

Other possible suitors:

New York Jets - Lewis could be the missing piece to the Jets puzzle. His former defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan has been named head coach and I bet Lewis would love to play in his system again.

Dallas - The Cowboys are in serious need of an attitude change and in need of a true leader. Lewis is that leader. Jerry Jones will surely make a play for Ray.

NFL Free Agency Series: Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia Eagles

Orlando Morales — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:23:19 -0500

If there's anyone the Eagles and their fans would hate to see leave, it's Brian Dawkins.

For the past 13 seasons, "Weapon X" has prowled the secondary with such a ferocity, such a passion for the game, and at such a high level that he has been mentioned in many circles as a first-ballot hall of famer.

Now, unlike Ron Bartell I am not going to roll out statistics or tell the story of Dawkins' career. I just don't have to, because his career speaks for itself. However I will say this. Any team willing to dish out big money for Dawk is taking a big risk.

This man has been in the same system for nearly 10 seasons. He has become embedded into a city that has embraced him and brought out the best in him. Do you really think Dawkins will be able to bring the same type of attitude and fire to another city?

I doubt it.

But there is no doubt that Dawkins still has the ability to play at a very high level and can change the direction of a game in a single play. His coverage skills may have diminished a bit, and he might have lost a bit of a step, but he remains a turnover-creating machine.

I highly doubt Dawkins will leave the nest in 2009. But if he were to switch teams, he would have to go to a team that plays a aggressive defense similar to Jim Johnson's. A defense that pretty much gives him the freedom to roam anywhere and wreak havoc.

When Dawkins has that freedom, where you can make him another linebacker, it puts more pressure on the quarterback and makes your defense tougher to run against. Just ask the Eagles how that affects a defense.

But teams who play that type of defense are in short supply. Dawkins age will play a crucial factor as well. Dawk is 35-years-old and teams have to ask; just how much does he have left in the tank?

I believe that the future Hall of Famer has two good years left in him. Nothing more. Nothing less. I believe those final two seasons will be spent in Midnight Green.

Other possible suitors: New York Jets, Cleveland

NFL Free Agency Series: Ron Bartell, St. Louis Rams.

Orlando Morales — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:52:09 -0500

If I were to poll 20 people and ask if they knew who Ron Bartell was, I bet only four or five would answer in the affirmative. It really is a shame that good players who are stuck on bad teams go unnoticed.

That's exactly what Ronald Bartell was in 2008—a very good player stuck on a horrible team. A fourth year cornerback in 2008, Bartell had his best year in St. Louis. He registered 57 tackles and 19 pass deflections. Looking at his stat sheet, you would probably say it was his second best year. In 2007, Bartell made 67 tackles and had two interceptions.

But what should stand out to a real fan is that he was not a starter in 2006, and yet still had a solid year as a nickel corner, producing starter numbers. In 2008, Bartell took over for the struggling and injured Tye Hill and shut down some of the league's top receivers.

When Ron broke into the NFL in 2005, he was seen as a project due to the lack of competition at Howard University. The Rams looked at him as a big talent with all of the intangibles; he just needed to put it all together.

Following a strong rookie season, Bartell struggled through much of the 2006 season but flourished later on, recording three interceptions in the final three games, one being returned for a touchdown.

The knock on Bartell was that he would follow up a great play with two bad ones, but it was only a matter of time until he put it all together.

The 2007 season was a coming out party for Bartell. Due to injuries to starters Tye Hill and Fakhir Brown, Bartell was given the chance to be a starter. His best game was in a 35-7 beating at the hands of the Cowboys. Bartell was in single coverage with Terrell Owens for the entire game and held Owens to just three receptions on the day for 33 yards.

As I mentioned earlier, Bartell is a very good player stuck on a bad team. He and safety O.J. Atogwe are free agents this year and should be the Rams' top priorities going into the offseason. Whoever signs Bartell for the 2009 season is getting a high quality player.

Bartell has tremendous top-end speed as well as recovery speed (just ask Michael Turner) to go along with a very solid frame. I have no doubt that he will be the steal of the 2009 free agency period.

Possible suitors: Minnesota, Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Kansas City, New England.

Philadelphia Eagles Need to Let The Youth Movement Begin This Offseason

Orlando Morales — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:57:23 -0500

The Eagles season finally ended on Sunday with a bitter defeat in Arizona. We all know that. Now, we've reached the fans least favorite time of the year. The Offseason. It's not because we have to wait seven months to see our beloved Eagles in training camp. It's because we again have to deal with this front office's often questionable decisions.

There are many priorities for the Eagles in the 2009 offseason. From re-signing players to drafting them, it should be a very busy offseason for the Birds.

Here is my Eagles offseason wishlist/ priorities.

1) Re-sign Dawkins

Nobody. I mean NOBODY in the NFL Draft or free agency will be able to fill the void left by Dawkins if he leaves. Yes, he's become a bit of a liability in coverage. But he makes the people around him play better. They will need to search for his replacement possibly, but don't get rid of this guy.

2) Scale down Andy Reid's role.

As John Smallwood so affectionately put in his column the Monday following the NFC Title loss: "Reid, as long as he is in complete control of football operations, will not bring a Super Bowl championship to Philadelphia." Normally I am very critical of Smally. I see him as mostly a pessimistic writer. But I've got to agree with him here.

As long as Andy is Lord of all things football, the Eagles will not win a title. Again we go to John Smallwood: He needs a strong general manager with the power to say, "No, we are not going to trade our first-round pick two seasons in a row," or, "Yes, it is a good idea to pay for a game-altering wide receiver."

If you would like to read Smally's Monday article, click this link> http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/john_smallwood/20090119_John_Smallwood__Time_to_dial_down_Eagles_coach_Andy_Reid_s_duties.html?page=2&c=y

3) Give McNabb more weapons

How long have we been saying this? For years, Eagles fans have been clamoring to give Donovan more weapons. I'm not just saying get him a receiver. He needs more than that. Get a running back who can convert on short yardage situations. Get him an H-Back (TE/FB). But of course, the Eagles still need another receiver.

I don't think DeSean Jackson's pint-sized body will be able to withstand the pounding of 70-85 catches + punt returns, and will eventually wear down. The Eagles need a game-changing big play receiver with some size and speed. T.J. Houshmanzadeh is the cream of the crop as far as free agent receivers go and Philly could be an attractive place for the Bengals top pass-catcher.

4) Beef up the offensive line

With both Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas bound for free agency, the Eagles offensive line is due for a make-over. Big Jon has been a rock for a number of years. But injuries in the past two years have hurt his performance and it showed in the NFC Championship.

Tra Thomas got completely worked in the 2009 playoffs. Jared Allen, Mathias Kiwanuka and Travis LaBoy gave Tra big problems and it looks as if he will not be back with the team in 2009.

If Jordan Gross, free agent left tackle of the Carolina Panthers becomes a free agent, expect the Birds to jump on him quickly. With the Draft loaded with offensive line prospect's, expect the Eagles to look for one with one of their two draft picks.

5) Utilize the draft picks

The 2009 Draft will be a very important one for the Eagles. With most of their core players aging, it is time the Eagles get younger at certain positions. The time is now to look for Brian Dawkins' replacement as well as get younger at offensive tackle with both starters reaching their mid-30's. Here are the Eagles top Draft needs.

1) Offensive line- Both starters on the O-line could be gone, the time is now to beef up the line and get some fresh legs in there.

Choice: Michael Oher/OT/Ole Miss

Oher didn't have the year most thought he would, but he is still a solid prospect who could be on the board when the Eagles pick at 21. Due to the depth of the tackle position in the draft, he could fall.

2) Safety- Even if the Eagles re-sign Brian Dawkins, they NEED to find his replacement in the draft.

Choice: William Moore/FS/ Mizzou

Clearly the top safety available in this years draft. He could be available when the Eagles pick at 28. Moore has solid speed for a safety and is a turnover machine. Though he had his best year as a junior with eight interceptions. Shows the qualities of a young Brian Dawkins to me.

3) Running back- Correll Buckhalter will most likely leave via free agency this year. So the Eagles will need to look for a power back who can move the chains on third and short to take some of the pounding off of the oft-injured Brian Westbrook.

P.J. Hill/RB/Wisconsin

He may not have the Steven Jackson esque combo of power and speed. But Hill is a great power back who will be a threat on the goal line and in short yardage situations.

4) Wide receiver- The Eagles receiving core had its moments this year, but they still lack the consistency that they really need. They could use a receiver that has the ability to get separation and make big plays.

Choice: Marko Mitchell/WR/ Nevada- His solid size and speed are very intriguing. Mitchell's ability to run after the catch can prove very helpful for an Eagles receiving core lacking a solid combo of Size and Speed.

Like I said earlier, the Eagles need to get busy this offseason and shake things up. But I'm just a fan.

L.J. Smith and Reggie Brown: Biggest Busts of the Andy Reid Era

Orlando Morales — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:32:38 -0500

There have been many questionable draft decisions of the Andy Reid era. Freddie Mitchell, Winston Justice, Kevin Kolb, and trading the last two first-round picks, just to name a few. But the two who stand out the most have to be LJ Smith and Reggie Brown.

L.J. Smith was the "Tight End of the future" when he was drafted in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft out of Rutgers University. His career didn't get off to a great start when he dropped what could have been a game altering touchdown in his first NFL game.

He picked up his game later in the season and finished with 27 receptions for 321 yards and a touchdown.

Smith spent the following season splitting time with veteran Chad Lewis. Smith showed signs of improvement and flashed his playmaking ability at times. He caught the first touchdown of Super Bowl 39, but followed it up with a drive killing fumble minutes later and squandered any hopes of an Eagles win with a drop that ended up in a Rodney Harrison interception.

The following two seasons were Smith's best as an Eagle. He caught eight touchdowns over those two years and totaled 1,293 yards. Smith entered the 2007 as a Pro Bowl hopeful, but injuries ruined his season. He caught just 22 passes and scored only one touchdown, plus he really struggled catching the ball.

All signs pointed upwards going into 2008.

But 2008 was no better. Smith's catching problems continued and he was very ineffective. He eventually lost his starting job in the playoffs to the up and coming Brent Celek. I would be very surprised to see L.J Smith wearing an Eagles jersey in 2009 now that he is a free agent.

Reggie Brown was looked at as an alternative to Terrell Owens when the Eagles drafted him 33rd overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. Head coach Andy Reid told reporters that he would not be a replacement for Terrell and that they shouldn't expect him to be a No. 1 threat.

But when Reggie was asked to step in when Owens was dismissed from the team, he made an immediate impact and showed all the signs of a future star. His rookie year was filled with big plays, highlighted by a 56-yard touchdown reception against the Redskins the week after Owens was kicked off the team.

Brown finished his rookie season with 43 receptions for 571 yards for four touchdowns, three coming against the Redskins. It seemed as if the Eagles had found a hidden gem in the young Brown.

In 2006, Reggie flourished alongside Donte' Stallworth. He caught 60 balls for 816 yards and eight touchdowns. Solid stats for a second year pro, yeah? His big-play ability was obvious his leaping ability phenomenal and he looked to follow his stellar 2006 season with a dominant 2007.

However, Reggie struggled to start the season. It became evident that he lost interest in the game if he didn't get the ball early on—seriously, that's disgraceful. He dropped many catchable balls throughout the season and it became a problem as the season wore on.

While Brown came alive late in the season, many questions arose about his heart and most of all, his ability.

Reggie certainly didn't answer those question in 2008.

Brown was placed on the inactive list eight times in 2008 and to throw more salt on the wound, he was again inactive for the NFC Championship this past Sunday. Brown caught just 18 passes for 252 yards and one touchdown on the year.

Like L.J. Smith, I would be very surprised to see Reggie Brown in an Eagles uniform come opening day 2009. I had high hopes for both of them coming into this season and both were total disappointments.

Both flashed their ability early in their careers, but they never really improved. If anything, they got worse. They gotta go.

NFC Championship Preview: Eagles-Cardinals

Orlando Morales — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:45:18 -0500

Well after 19 weeks, we are down to two teams. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals will face-off in a Thanksgiving Day rematch. Only this time, the prize is a trip to Tampa Bay for Super Bowl XLIII.

Most of the attention is going towards the AFC Title game between the Ravens and the Steelers right now, but I think this game is more intriguing. Both teams are playing their best defensive football right now and won shocking games on the road last weekend.

The Eagles stunned the top-seeded defending champion New York Giants. The defense forced three turnovers and stopped the Giants twice on 4th-and-short late in the game to seal the win.

The Cardinals arrived in this unfamiliar spot with a shocking 33-13 trouncing of the heavily-favored Carolina Panthers on the road. Arizona's playoff revival has been sparked by the resurgence of their once-maligned defense and the rebirth of their rushing attack led by Edgerrin James.

Coming into these playoffs the Cardinals had lost three of their final five games. They were blown out in all of their losses. The defense looked bad towards the end of the year and the running game was, for the most part, nonexistent.

But something woke this team up and they are playing like the Cardinals that started the season 7-4.

The offense is led by future-Hall-of-Fame quarterback Kurt Warner. The offense had its peaks and valleys in the regular season, but they have played very balanced and solid football in the playoffs.

Warner, for the second time in his career, has the benefit of having a plethora of weapons to throw to.

Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston are Warner's main targets. All three have gone over the 1000-yard mark in receiving yards this year, the fifth trio to do that in NFL history. Leonard Pope and James have both proven to be solid catching the ball as well.

Once thought of as ineffective, the Cardinals rushing attack has seen a rebirth in the playoffs. James has led the charge thus far in the playoffs along with Tim Hightower. Hightower is utilized more often in goal-line situations and is very effective.

Cardinals' offensive keys to victory

1) Protect Warner—Kurt can't complete those big plays to Fitz and Boldin if he's on his back.

2) Edge continues his playoff success—Arizona will need to establish some kind of ground attack to win on Sunday.

3) Fast Start—The Cards' will need to hit this hot Eagles defense fast and not let them get any momentum going.

The Cardinal defense has been the talk of the playoffs. They have rendered two of the league's top running backs (Michael Turner and DeAngelo Williams) ineffective and have forced a total of eight turnovers.

The front seven struggled pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run in the regular season, but they have vastly improved when it counts and are playing their best football of the season. Antonio Smith and Bertrand Berry have combined for four sacks in the playoffs and are wreaking havoc all over the field.

The Cardinals' secondary is also playing their best football and has done a very good job of shutting down two of the league's top receivers in Steve Smith and Roddy White. Antrel Rolle and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie have stepped their games up this postseason and have led the charge in the turnover barrage.

Cardinals' defensive keys to victory

1) Pressure Donovan McNabb—Donovan has struggled under heavy pressure in the playoffs and has turned the ball over four times.

2) Make Philly one dimensional—speaks for itself.

3) Contain DeSean Jackson—Jackson killed the Cardinals on Thanksgiving. They must contain him as a receiver and also as a punt returner.

The Eagles have pulled off one of the more intriguing turnarounds of the 2008 season. They rebounded following an awful 36-7 loss in Baltimore that saw McNabb benched for the first time in his career.

Philly ripped off a stretch that saw them squeak into the playoffs following a wild week 17 that concluded with the Eagles destroying the Cowboys 44-6.

The offense is struggling at this point in the playoffs and will need a better performance this Sunday to emerge victorious.

McNabb has been solid passing the ball, as he has for most of the season. He is getting contributions from all over the field. Players like: Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Brent Celek, Jason Avant, Correll Buckhalter, and Hank Baskett have all played well and have been making big catches all over the field.

The ground game has been very ineffective thus far and will NEED to have better success than they have the previous two weeks.

Brian Westbrook is very banged up and re-aggravated his sprained knee on Sunday in New York. I believe that it's time to give the guy a rest. He has been very ineffective thus far and aside from a 71-yard screen pass that went for a touchdown, he has had no big plays.

Eagles offensive keys to success

1) Start fast—The offense has struggled scoring early in these playoffs. That can't happen against a Cardinal offense that has really been hot in the postseason.

2) Get Jackson involved—He has to be the X-factor in this game. He has continued to play well both on special teams and on offense.

3) Avoid turnovers—The Eagles have turned the ball over four times in the postseason. They are going up against a defense that has forced eight turnovers in the playoffs. They will need to protect the ball better than they have been.

What can you say about this Eagles defense? They are peaking at the right time and have been playing with their hair on fire for the past month.

The pressure they can put on an offense is amazing. Jim Johnson has turned a once-maligned rush defense into one of the best in the league. The secondary has played lights-out most of the season and has four capable Pro Bowlers.

Brian Dawkins, Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, and Quintin Mikell roam the best secondary in the NFC. They will be facing one of the top receiving groups in the league on Sunday. What a great showdown that should be.

The Eagles front seven has absolutely dominated for the past seven weeks. Stewart Bradley, Trent Cole, and Brodrick Bunkley have really been the catalysts for the unit. they have continued their strong play in the postseason. They will need another strong performance on Sunday.

Eagles defensive keys to success

1) Pressure on Warner—Pressure led to two interceptions in the first quarter of the last meeting on Thanksgiving.

2) Asante Samuel—On Thanksgiving, Samuel was too hurt to play and Lito Sheppard was forced to cover Fitzgerald. Fitz had a big day, catching five balls for 65 yards and two touchdowns. Samuel will need to keep Fitzgerald in check and not allow the big gains he was getting on Sheppard.

3) Shut down Edge—James has played like the Edge of old and is really running well in the playoffs. The Philly front seven will need to keep him fro moving the chains on Sunday.

I think this game will come down to which defense can come up with the big stops. But with the way the Eagles defense is playing right now, I see them running away with this one in the fourth quarter.

Eagles 27, Cardinals 14