Philadelphia Eagles: The NFL's Version of the Boston Celtics?

The Boston Celtics are your 2008 NBA Champions. 

Can the 2008 Philadelphia Eagles become the Boston Celtics?

In 2007, the Celtics finished in the basement of the Atlantic Division and missed the playoffs. In 2008, the Celtics finished first in the division, made the playoffs, and won the NBA Championship.

In 2007, the Eagles finished last in the NFC East and missed the playoffs. Can the 2008 Eagles make a similar jump from worst to first?

Since 2002, at least one team each year has made the turnaround from basement dwellers to division champs. Since Andy Reid has been head coach, the Eagles have not gone back-to-back seasons without making the playoffs. Both are good signs for a turnaround.

I am not saying that the Eagles will be hosting the Lombardi Trophy in February, but a first-place division finish and a return to the playoffs is not out of the question. 

The Eagles finished the 2007 season ranked in the league’s top 10 in three key offensive categories. The offense was sixth overall in total yards, 10th in passing yards, and eighth in rushing yards. 

The numbers show a pretty dynamic offense. The strong results should continue as Thomas Tapeh is the only offensive starter not retuning.

The one area of constant struggle was red-zone efficiency. The Eagles had no difficulty marching down the field, but once inside the twenty, they stumbled.  The Eagles ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring in 2007, finishing seventeenth in points scored.

Red-zone efficiency should be improved with the return to health of Donovan McNabb and L.J. Smith, the addition of Lorenzo Booker, and improved starting field-position. 

A healthy McNabb brings the dual weapon of a passing or running play by the quarterback. A healthy Smith gives McNabb a reliable target in the middle of the field. Booker can be spread out with Westbrook, creating mismatches against linebackers. The elusiveness of Jackson as a punt returner will mean less field for the offense to cover.

All of these factors result in David Akers being on the field to kick extra points instead of field goals. More points scored equals more victories.   

The Eagles' defense also posted impressive numbers during the 2007 season.  Like the offense, the defense ranked in the league’s top 10 in three key defensive categories. The defense was ninth in points allowed, 10th in yards against, and seventh in rushing-yards allowed.

The area of weakness for the defense was their inability to create turnovers and create consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback. The Eagles finished the season with a paltry 11 interceptions and a mediocre 37 sacks.

Insert Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Whops, I mean Asante Samuel and Chris Clemons into the Eagles' defense.

Samuel alone had six interceptions in 2007 and 10 interceptions in 2006.  Samuel is playmaker with a knack for turnovers. Add him to the already talented cornerback duo of Sheppard and Brown, and forcing turnovers will become a strong point.

In limited action with the Raiders in 2007, Clemons posted eight quarterback sacks. His presence on the field should also limit the amount of double teams that Trent Cole faces. Rotating Clemons with Parker and Abiamiri suddenly gives the Eagles great depth at the DE position.

Increased pressure on the quarterback leads to hurried passes. Hurried passes are inaccurate and should result in more interceptions. Better coverage from your secondary leads to more time for the ends to rush the quarterback. More time to pressure the quarterback results in more sacks.

Either way you look at it, the number of turnovers forced by the Eagles should increase in 2008.

The NFC East will again be one of the premier divisions in the NFL. Each team can build a strong case for finishing atop the division. But looking back and looking forward, the case is there for the Eagles to make a Celtics-esque jump to the top.