Philadelphia Eagles' Top Five Problems: Broken Wings or Just Clipped?

In a crazy year that is the 2008 season of the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles have been one of the more disappointing teams.

A team picked by some to overthrow the Giants and make a push for the Super Bowl has been limping throughout the season.

Over halfway through the season, it's time to assess what the problems are with this underachieving team.

Let's examine.

5. Coverage of the Tight Ends

It's known around the league, the Tight End is the place to attack against the Philadelphia Eagles defense. This has always been the weakness in a Jim Johnson defense and this season is no exception.

Granted, the Eagles play the likes of Kevin Boss, Jason Witten, and Chris Cooley in their own division, but shouldn't that prepare them against other tight ends in the league with all the practice they should get?

Unfortunately, all it means is that all three of the guys mentioned before look forward to playing the Eagles. It's a day they get to pad their stats.

The source of this problem may come from the inexperience of the linebackers. In college, coverage of a tight end is not something normally taught. But even when we had veterans at the position, the tight end has always done well against this defense. So what's the problem?

It could be that because the linebackers are usually blitzing, and must know how to do so to make it on the Eagles' defensive roster, coverage gets put on the back burner and is usually left to a safety.

The problem with that is if the linebacker is blitzing, and most safeties play around 15 yards back from the line of scrimmage, that gives the tight end ample time to sit in the middle of the field and rack up the yards. Something needs to change here.

4. The Lack of a Running Game

The Eagles rank 22nd in the league in rushing yards per game: an unenviable 98.3 yards per game via the ground. This will perplex anyone who follows the Eagles faithfully, given the immense talent on the line and in the backfield. The five guys across the line who seem to be Pro-Bowl caliber have not been pulling their weight in the ground game.

A back considered by many to be the best in the league, is averaging only 4.1 yards per carry on 109 carries for 448 yards. This is all unacceptable and is a big reason for the Eagles' barely-better-than-.500 record.

Reasons for this could be the lack of Pro-Bowl guard Shawn Andrews, who is out for at least another month after having surgery on his back, a problem that's been bothering him since his college days. However, Max Jean-Gilles should be more than capable of being the road-grater at 6'4" and 358 pounds.

Also, with Westbrook obviously not at 100 percent (something acknowledged by himself and coach Reid), the very underrated backup Correll Buckhalter should be seeing more time. With only 56 carries on the year, he is also averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

However, the difference with Buckhalter is he will take the ball and run straight ahead. He's not going to slash and make people miss like Westbrook, but he will lower his shoulder and make defenders think twice before they tackle him again.

3. The Slow Start of the Offense

Every week it seems like the offense starts off slowly and really affects the defensive play. How? The defense is given no time to rest. A tired defense becomes more susceptible to the run game and is worn out faster.

In consecutive weeks, McNabb has come out with at least six straight passes that find their way to the ground. Considering the fact that the Eagles do 80 percent of their passing in the first quarter, that usually amounts to two three-and-outs. You're welcome, defense.

How can this problem be fixed? More running on the opening drive. A lot of the blame for McNabb's inaccuracy in the first quarter is the fact that he is overly excited. Normally that would be great, but when it affects his game, something must be done.

There is no better way to settle a quarterback down than running the ball and throwing the short play-action passes. This is the same strategy used to settle down an overly nervous rookie, but would work just as well with an overly excited McNabb.

So, the final word on this problem is: more running and short passes. Now some of you may be saying, "well if a problem with the Eagles is the run game, how will more of it help?"

Well, I think the run game would benefit from more reps anyway. How can a team be expected to be good at something when it is never done? And, even a three-and-out from running the ball keeps the clock ticking.

2. Short-Yardage Plays on Offense and Defense; Third Down Incompetence

The Eagles were unable to gain one yard on two attempts on Sunday night versus the Giants. One yard? Two tries? Turnover on downs.

Unacceptable.

On the flip side, the Eagles were unable to stop Brandon Jacobs on any short yardage plays (with the exception of a Stewart Bradley penalty that was unwarranted).

The Eagles, this season, are 44-for-116 on third down, which translates to a 38  conversion percentage. Third down must be a focal point of the offense in order to keep drives alive and keep the defense well-rested, watching from the sidelines.

The defense, on third down, gives up about 35 percent to the opposing offense at this point in the season. While this stat is not bad, it's not great either. The defense must learn to man up and get off the field when it counts.

1. Inconsistent Run Defense

It seems like from week to week the defense changes its persona. Some weeks it's impossible to run on this front seven, and other weeks it seems as though they're just along for the ride (usually on the shoulders of the opposing running back).

Steven Jackson was held to next-to-nothing, but Marion Barber was able to run when given the chance. Willie Parker was stopped dead in his tracks, as was Matt Forte for the most part. Clinton Portis had a career day, then Frank Gore racked up a 100-yard game. Michael Turner and Julius Jones/T.J. Duckett were shut down, only to give up over 150 yards to Brandon Jacobs.

Get the picture?

The inconsistent play has earned the Eagles a suitable 14th in the league ranking against the run. They need to step up and play the way they showed they can against Pro-Bowl caliber guys like Steven Jackson, Willie Parker, and Michael Turner if they want to find any more success for the rest of the season.

If the Eagles hope to make a late-season push, these are five of the most important areas that need to be looked at and improved, quickly. Or if they're not, the Eagles will be watching from home in January. The Phillies set the bar, and now Philly fans will accept nothing less than a parade.

Get to work, Reid & Co.