NFL: Michael Vick and 6 Philadelphia Eagles Facing Make-or-Break Seasons in 2011
This list is the ultimate collection of players who need to step it up.
Doing whatever it takes to improve their play can guarantee them a spot on the roster next year or can get them traded away, as well as eventually swimming around in the free agency pool.
Many Eagles are facing these potential situations as the 2011 season approaches.
Think of it as this: Any player on this list has some doubts riding them into next season, so how will they perform?
Next season is their last chance to give it all they have.
Here are the six Philadelphia Eagles who are facing make-or-break seasons in 2011.
6. Brandon Graham: DE
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Brandon Graham is the kind of guy I can see being an Eagle for a long time. He just has that look to him, that I was born to be an Eagle look.
When Graham was selected 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, he was shown standing up and screaming with his family at home, and I immediately pictured that same celebration when he dominates any quarterback he faces.
He opened up the 2010 season as a starter, got a few sacks in the first couple games, but was then replaced by veteran Jacqua Parker.
He was a rookie, and that is expected of him. He has serious potential, and needs to seek it.
I think 2011 will be a better season for him. The Eagles took a star from the CFL in Phillip Hunt who recorded 16 sacks in 2010, and he will be fighting for some playing time as well. If Graham still isn't ready to be a starter, this man will take his spot, and will probably keep it.
Graham can be a great player if he works for it, and 2011 is his shot to show the Eagles what he is made of.
5. Stewart Bradley: MLB
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Stewart Bradley is a highly underrated player in the league for linebackers, when he stays healthy of course.
And health is Bradley's biggest concern.
When Bradley stays on the field and powers through the season, he always gives 110% for the team. He the kind of player most teams lack, due to his power, quickness, ability to read the offense and overall presence in the locker room.
Unfortunately, like I stated before, Bradley has a lot of issues staying healthy, and that is his biggest downfall.
Missing the entire 2009 season hurt the Eagles a ton, and then missing the rest of last season after playing just 12 games certainly posed a lot of questions about his health.
This 2011 season is a make-or-break season for Bradley, and can determine the rest of his career.
If he stays healthy and puts up another 100+ tackle season, then you can bet he will be returning in 2012. If he fails to play through the whole season, then Bradley will have seen his last days in an Eagles uniform.
4. Winston Justice: OT
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First off, I don't know how this guy is still even on the team after five years.
It seemed last season that whenever Justice was playing, Vick got sacked more and more. He is 6' 6'' and 320 lbs., which is something you want up front for protection. However, I seriously doubt this man's commitment to the game.
How can a guy who is 6' 6'' allow so much pressure like he does. Staying healthy is another problem for him as well.
I have an idea. Why not get rid of Justice and put in second string King Dunlap, a 6' 9'' 330 pounder. This man is an absolute freak, and with time could grow to be unstoppable.
I see Justice as a useless player who is facing a big year.
Having another year like last season will certainly get him cut, so he needs to seriously step his game up and protect No. 7 with fervor.
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3. Jason Avant: WR
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Jason Avant took over the year after T.O. left, sporting the No.81 as well.
Avant is a solid man to go to because he has hands like no other. Any Eagles fan who watches all the games can vouch for the fact that Avant has unbelievable hands and makes jaw dropping catches.
Avant's only problem is himself. He is a great slot receiver and can make an impact on any team. I'm just not sure that the Eagles are that team.
He has only nine touchdowns in five seasons. Playing next to Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, of course he is obviously going to see less receptions and touchdowns.
Especially knowing that the Eagles are targeting Plaxico Burress, this may be Avant's final season.
He will need to have more than five touchdowns this year in order for the office to actually consider keeping him over someone like Cooper.
2. Nate Allen: FS
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This guy has potential.
Nate Allen is the notorious "McNabb pick," meaning he is the player the Eagles selected in the draft from the Redskins for trading McNabb. He is quality, but will need to step it up.
In 2010, Allen started off on fire with three interceptions in his first four games. He looked to be the filler in that corner gap, but then fell off.
He didn't see much playing time after a few minor injuries kept him sidelined for three games, and was replaced by Ellis Hobbs, and then Demetri Peterson.
Once again, the Eagles are scouting out some corner talent this offseason, and if Allen has a season like he did in the beginning of 2010, then he'll be just fine.
I would just hate to see what happen to him like what happened to Macho Harris the previous season. Macho was taken in the second round in 2009, started and played all season, didn't do good enough and is already retired.
I'm pulling for you Nate.
1. Michael Vick: QB
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Michael Vick, the comeback man. Everyone knows his amazing story and resurgence of his career, and it truly is a great story.
Vick is an outstanding player and is playing at the top of his game. He has improved since his days in Atlanta, forming into more of an accurate pocket passer. He is now the face of the franchise and is looking to keep it that way.
So why is he facing a make-or-break season in 2011? Because he is Michael Vick and has already been given a second chance.
He did great in 2010, and will need to as well in 2011, 2012, 2013 and so on.
The problem is, if Vick doesn't live up to how he has played already, he will be under fire once again and be labeled a fluke.
He will constantly be looked at under a microscope and be criticized for every little mistake he makes.
That is why Vick is facing perhaps the biggest season of his career in 2011.
If he doesn't do as well as he did last year and gets injured like McNabb was notorious for, then you can bet on someone else replacing him until Reid finds the man he is looking for to be under center.
Hopefully, it doesn't come down to that and Vick will have anther Pro Bowl season. He is just facing a lot of pressure and only time will tell how he does.
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