Philadelphia Eagles Midseason Report Card
The Philadelphia Eagles' 2010 campaign has been the definition of a roller-coaster ride.
This offseason, the team's morale hit a low point with the dealing of Donovan McNabb and the release of Brian Westbrook. The two had combined for a total of 19 seasons in Philadelphia.
To make up for those losses, young players Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Nate Allen emerged revealing their high potential, while Michael Vick re-emerged showing the incredible progress he made this past offseason.
As soon as the Eagles began to fly high, injuries to Vick and DeSean Jackson sent them back down to earth. At 4-3, they've never lost consecutive games, but at the same time they haven't been able to string together more than two wins at a time.
Passing Game
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Yards Per Game: 243.3 (ninth)
How does this number apply to Michael Vick? No, it's not how many yards he throws per game, which would seem like the most logical choice. That's his quarterback rating.
Combine that league-high passer rating (it would be if he was eligible) with being the greatest scrambling quarterback in NFL history, and you have quite a combination.
That production hasn't been seen from week to week though, as Vick has played in only four games this season due to injury.
As for his replacement—well, let's just say Eagles fans haven't been willing to take him under their wing.
Maybe it's the quarterback rating over 20 points less than Vick's, or maybe it's the failure to live up to the expectations given to him after he was supposed to replace a quarterback who carried the franchise to four straight NFC Championship Games. Either way, Kevin Kolb has been a major disappointment.
Jeremy Maclin, on the other hand, has surpassed all expectations and boasts six touchdowns on the year, already two more than last season.
DeSean Jackson's production has dropped off slightly, thanks in part to injuries, but the most explosive receiver in the NFL has still managed to produce 20.8 yards per catch.
Brent Celek is also a player whose stats have fallen due to injury. With only 21 catches, he isn't even close to being able to catch his mark of 76 in 2009.
Grade: B
Even with inconsistency, the Eagles are still a top 10 passing team. As soon as everyone gets back to full strength, get ready for an "A" to borderline "A+" passing attack.
Running Game
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Yards Per Game: 129.3 (ninth)
In Andy Reid's pass first, pass second, pass third offense, the running game obviously isn't going to post jaw-dropping numbers.
With the Eagles' average on the ground this season, though, they may have to think about pounding the rock more often. They average an impressive 4.9 yards a pop.
Feature back LeSean McCoy only has 105 carries, but his 4.5 average has him on pace to rush for over 1,000 yards.
The Eagles actually call fewer running plays than their stats indicate. The majority of Michael Vick's 26 rushes come on scrambles, not designed runs.
Even though he has only played in four games, Vick still leads all NFL quarterbacks in rushing yards.
Grade: B+
The Eagles? A top 10 rushing team? The Mike Vick factor.
Run Defense
3 of 6
Yards Per Game: 109.9 (18th)
Sure, 18th in the league against the rush isn't something to get hyped about. Neither is letting up four yards per carry.
Even though those numbers don't scream "domination," the Eagles have done a solid job defending the run this season.
Not once have they let an opposing back rush for over the century mark, even though in recent weeks they've faced run-first teams in San Francisco, Atlanta and Tennessee. Each and every time they've been able to slow opposing All-Pro running backs that include Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Frank Gore and Michael Turner.
They have only let up one run of 20 yards in the entire season. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers have surrendered fewer.
Grade: B
The Eagles' run-stopping ability isn't necessarily a strong point, but it's not even close to being considered a weakness.
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Pass Defense
4 of 6
Yards Per Game: 206.1 (11th)
The Eagles have always had a playmaking defense.
This season, they are top 10 in interceptions, sacks and opposing quarterback passer rating.
Trent Cole has always been a pass-rushing fiend and has six sacks on the season.
Brandon Graham has yet to meet Defensive Rookie of the Year expectations, but Juqua Parker has been solid, posting four sacks.
In the secondary, All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel, as usual, has made plays, intercepting three passes.
Rookie free safety Nate Allen has impressed, recording three interceptions as well.
The corner opposite Samuel hasn't though. In Week 7, Ellis Hobbs was embarrassed by Kenny Britt of the Tennessee Titans, who exploded for 225 yards and three touchdowns.
Whoever ends up starting across from Samuel the rest of the season must step up or the Eagles won't make it to the playoffs. The Giants' receiving corps of Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, and Mario Manningham will be able to take advantage of a weakness at the cornerback position.
Grade: B-
If Kenny Britt can carve up the Eagles secondary, just think what Reggie Wayne could do in Week 9. They must prove Britt's performance was just a fluke.
Special Teams
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The consistent David Akers has been anything but this season, converting on only 73 percent of his field goals, 31st in the league.
It's the exact opposite situation for punter Sav Rocca. He's not been great in years past, but this season he is third in the league in average yards per punt.
In yet another inconsistency, Ellis Hobbs, usually one of the best kick returners in the league, has the worst return average in his entire career this year.
Following the same pattern, the lightning-quick DeSean Jackson is averaging only 7.6 yards a punt return, but rookie Jorrick Calvin has stepped up with a top 10 average of 13.3.
Grade: C
If Akers and Hobbs can return to form, and at the same time Rocca and Calvin maintain their outstanding play, this is an "A"-caliber group.
Conclusion
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The good news for the Eagles is that the NFC is the far inferior conference this season. That will make it much easier to earn a playoff spot.
The bad news is they will probably need to defeat the blazing New York Giants twice to claim the division crown.
A 100 percent Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson give the Eagles a legit shot to do so.
In a game that could be considered must-win, the Eagles defend their turf against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.
A win maintains a winning record. A loss takes the team back to .500 and puts their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Overall Grade: B
The Eagles have a very high ceiling. They just haven't played to their full potential the first half of the season.
David Daniels is a Correspondent and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him at One Yard Short.com or on Twitter.
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