NFL Preseason 2010: Philadelphia Eagles Top Storylines

The Philadelphia Eagles will kick off the 2010 regular season on September 12th against the Green Bay Packers.

However, until then, preseason storylines will have to suffice in keeping the sizable fanbase of the Eagles occupied.

Luckily, 2010 will not lack for such dramas.

Because of numerous major personnel changes, this is arguably the most intriguing Eagles preseason since 2005, when Terrell Owens' antics turned training camp into a reality television show.

There will be no sit-ups in the driveway this year. But dramas will play out this preseason that will affect the future of this team for the next 10 years.

5. Sean McDermott

On the eve of training camp in 2009, secondary coach Sean McDermott was surprisingly named the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Four days later, his predecessor Jim Johnson passed away.

It was impossible for McDermott to be fully prepared for such a turn of events. Johnson's large shadow still towered over camp, and McDermott was forced to re-use most of Johnson's schemes in order to keep up continuity.

However, McDermott performed admirably. The Eagles finished 12th in yards allowed per game, and tied for third in the NFL in sacks.

The 2009 season did end on a very low note for McDermott and his defense. They allowed 58 points in the final two games of the year to the rival Dallas Cowboys, the latter of which was a 34-14 playoff loss.

And just today, recently departed cornerback Sheldon Brown hinted that certain members of the 2009 Eagles defense did not fully buy into McDermott's scheme, subtly undermining his authority.

With a full season as defensive coordinator under his belt, McDermott and the defense will be expected to improve in 2010.

Expect the young coordinator to exert his authority a bit more forcefully this year, starting in the preseason.

4. Rebuilding or Reloading?

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 16: Quintin Mikell #27 and Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate a defensive stop during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 16, 2008 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The game ended in

During the decade of the 2000s, the Philadelphia Eagles missed the playoffs only twice, and were always a preseason contender for the Super Bowl.

This year? Not exactly.

While coaches and players alike are saying the right thing at camp, league observers and fans alike have their doubts regarding this Eagles squad's chances of a Super Bowl run.

Formerly a team led by Pro Bowl veterans like Brian Dawkins and Brian Westbrook, and helmed by franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb, the Eagles in 2010 are a young, untested squad.

With the 26-year-old Kevin Kolb as the oldest of the Eagles' offensive skill position players, this is not exactly a battle-hardened group.

They have talent, that is undeniable. But question marks exist up and down the roster.

Will Stewart Bradley rebound from his knee injury? Can the secondary cover anyone?

And of course: What about the quarterback?

With so much youth at key positions, 2010 could easily be considered a rebuilding year.  But Eagles fans will not accept a mediocre record, so the pressure remains.

Can they contend this year? That will likely depend on whether the strengths of the roster, such as the stout defensive line and gifted receiving corps, can prop up the potential weak points of the secondary and quarterback play.

3. Who are the Leaders?

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 27 : Jason Avant #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lincoln Financial Field on December 27, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsa

For years, team leaders such as Brian Dawkins, Jon Runyan, Brian Westbrook, Donovan McNabb, and Sheldon Brown set the tone for training camp and game day.

Each had their own style of leadership, but they all commanded great respect in the locker room, and fans tended to view them as spokespeople for the team.

Now? Each and every one of them is gone.

There is a leadership vacuum in the Eagles' locker room right now. So, who will fill it?

New starter quarterback Kevin Kolb could be a candidate. He is already popular with the young skill players and seems to have an intense, driven personality.

Starting slot receiver Jason Avant has been mentioned as a surprising locker room leader.

Stewart Bradley showed signs of becoming a defensive leader in 2008, but he missed all of 2009 with a knee injury and will have to reassert his presence.

Trent Cole, as the best player remaining on the Eagles defense, will also be expected to pick up some of the slack.

And you can't count out the talkative DeSean Jackson, or even the interception-obsessed Asante Samuel.

There is the potential for a power struggle for leadership positions in such a young team. It will be interesting to watch.

2. Rookie Starters

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - AUGUST 20: Brandon Graham #54 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after making a tackle during the NFL preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 20, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty

It appears the Eagles had a very productive 2010 draft.

Second-rounder Nate Allen was given the starting free safety position almost immediately, and will be expected to contribute right away.

As the replacement for fan favorite Brian Dawkins, Allen will face constant scrutiny. 

In addition, first-round pick Brandon Graham has made a huge positive impression on Eagles coaches so far in the preseason.

Just this week, Graham jumped over Juqua Parker as the starting left defensive end on the Eagles roster.

Parker was a solid contributor last season, racking up eight total sacks. The fact that Graham has already stolen his starting job shows just how highly the Eagles coaching staff views the rookie.

Often, not one rookie on a team will earn a starting job in preseason. The fact that the Eagles will start two rookies in Week 1 is a rarity indeed.

Graham and Allen will be under much pressure from the start. It remains to be seen how they will respond.

1. Kevin Kolb

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 13: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles drops back to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 13, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Im

Could it really be anyone else?

Kevin Kolb leaves the best job in Philadelphia to take on the toughest job in Philadelphia.

No longer will Kolb be viewed as the preferred alternative to another year of Donovan McNabb by thousands on talk radio. Now, Kolb is the present.

Kolb started two games last season, and put up 718 yards and four touchdowns. However, he also threw three interceptions.

So far, it appears that Kolb is a more accurate quarterback than the departed McNabb. Still, he has a tendency to force the ball, and will likely throw more interceptions than his predecessor

In two preseason games, Kolb has thrown for 225 yards, and has looked solid.

But in Philadelphia, solid is not good enough. Donovan McNabb quickly discovered that.

Every pass will be scrutinized. Every week, Kolb will be compared to McNabb.

And that's not even mentioning the two games this year when Kolb and McNabb will go head-to-head.

For the first time since 1999, the Eagles do not have a no-doubt franchise quarterback behind center. Fans are hoping that Kolb will immediately prove himself worthy of the title.