Philadelphia Eagles: 5 Stars Who Must Step Up Their Game

The Philadelphia Eagles have impact guys on the team who did not play up to par last season.

Some of these players take plays off, some were coming off injury, some just completely wore down as the season went on.

For the Eagles to be successful in 2011, they will need these star players to play to their potential and become leaders for the rest of this young team.

So, let's look at five stars who must play well throughout the year for the Eagles to bring home the Lombardi Trophy:

5. Brent Celek

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia Eagles completes a two-point conversin pass against Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers which didn't score due to a penalty on Celek during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at

Tight end Brent Celek's biggest contribution was detrimental to the team.

Look at this picture, this is very familiar to Eagle nation. Celek decided to go out of bounds and then come back in, when he had no business in the first place stepping outside.

Celek was asked more to be a blocker this season because of the Eagles offensive line woes, but he was largely ineffective in that.

Celek's greatest strength was supposedly his hands, but he most likely led the league in drops by a tight end. Every great throw seemingly was dropped by Celek.

He has almost no speed at the tight end position, so what again does he offer to the Eagles?

Celek must improve in 2011, in all facets of the game: run blocking, pass blocking and catching the ball.

4. Stewart Bradley

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Stewart Bradley #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles breaks up a pass intended for Kevin Boss #89 of the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Imag

I did not expect middle linebacker Stewart Bradley to be great this season, especially coming off a torn ACL, but I also did not expect him to be arguably the worst middle linebacker in all of football.

His coverage skills were horrible and struggled mightily with the run. His lack of speed and instincts hurt the team in numerous ways.

Now even though Bradley will be a free agent this offseason, I certainly expect the Eagles to retain him and move him to strongside linebacker, his more natural fit.

Like I said before, Bradley was coming off a serious knee injury that probably takes two full years to get back to form, so expect big things from Bradley this upcoming season.

3. Jason Peters

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Offensive tackle Jason Peters #71 of the Philadelphia Eagles gets set in his stance against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Imag

Left Tackle Jason Peters actually deserved to be in the Pro Bowl this season, unlike the last two seasons.

Peters displayed why the Eagles made him the top paid left tackle and was at times dominant, but like many other Eagles, he struggled towards the end of the season.

Peters was routinely beat by quick defensive ends and linebackers and was more of a liability for the Eagles.

Though very talented, Peters must solidify the tackle position and make sure the Eagles don't have to put a tight end to help him in pass protection, especially since the right side of the offensive line is underachieving.

2. DeSean Jackson

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs down field against Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pen

Why Desmond Bishop? WHY?

If Bishop cannot make this tackle, Jackson once again would prove to be the hero because he would probably easily score.

Most may be wondering why the Eagles top wide receiver is on this list. To me though it's simple why.

Jackson never shows up in big games. He takes numerous plays off when he does not get the ball. He puts himself before the team, which was especially evident when he complained not to be assigned punt returning duties because he wanted to improve his stats at receiver so he could get a new contract.

Naysayers will say that teams double coverage Jackson, and while that may be true, other elite wide receivers still make impacts on the game when they are double covered.

Jackson now has another elite receiver on the other side in Jeremy Maclin, so the excuse of the double coverage is not completely true.

Jackson, on numerous occasions, refuses to run hard on certain plays.

For the Eagles to reach great heights, Jackson must show up in big games and play every snap hard, rather than take plays off.

1. Trent Cole

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Trent Cole #58 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a sack against Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Imag

It's time, Trent Cole. It's time to show why you should be considered an elite player at the defensive end position.

Cole almost always starts off the season in great form. By mid-season this season, people considered Cole a possible defensive player of the year candidate, that's how dominant he was rushing the passer, and unlike most defensive ends, stuffing the run.

Then comes the second half of the year. Cole was double-teamed more after Brandon Graham's injury, but that is no excuse considering teams played him one on one at the end of the season.

Cole still could not produce.

Trent Cole will have to condition better in the offseason because seemingly every year he cannot maintain his incredible first-half production.

Cole may be the most important star who has to improve because he is vital to the defense. Without him rushing the passer, the secondary and linebackers are exposed.