2010 RECORD: 10-6-0
(1st in NFC East)
HEAD COACH: Andy Reid
Offense: The Eagles' offense centers around quarterback Michael Vick, who re-emerged last season as the most dynamic player in the NFL.
Once Vick took over the Eagles offense in 2010, he put up big numbers, including 3,018 passing yards with 21 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. Vick, the only quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season (in 2006 with Atlanta) also ran for 676 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
On the downside, the Eagles allowed 49 sacks, which was among the worst in the NFL last season.
The offensive line consists of center Jamaal Jackson, guards Todd Herremans and Danny Watkins and tackles King Dunlap and Jason Peters. Others in the trenches include Austin Howard, Jason Keice, Ryan Harris, Reggie Wells and Julian Vandervelde.
The running game ranked fifth in the NFL last year, averaging 145 yards per game, thanks mostly to Vick and leading rusher LeSean McCoy, who topped 1,000 yards last season (1,080) and averaged 5.2 yards per carry while scoring seven touchdowns on the ground. Ronnie Brown (734 rushing yards, 3.7 ypc average, five TD) comes over from Miami to provide a solid core in the backfield. The fullback is Owen Schmitt.
The wide receivers are led by DeSean Jackson, who only had 47 catches in 2010, but averaged an eye-popping 22.5 yards per catch. Jackson had 1,056 receiving yards and six TD grabs. The versatile Jackson, who took back a punt for a score in that memorable comeback win over the Giants last December, also rushed for 104 yards and scored a touchdown as well.
Jeremy Maclin led Philadelphia wideouts with 70 receptions for 964 yards and ten touchdowns. Jason Avant is another target after making 51 catches for 573 yards and scoring a touchdown. Steve Smith was signed away from the New York Giants and he made 48 catches for 529 yards and three touchdowns in 2010.
Tight End Brent Celek is another reliable receiver who had 42 receptions for 511 yards and four scores last season.
The Philly offense was second in the entire NFL last season, gaining 389 yards per game, including 244 passing yards per game. The Eagles were third in scoring, putting 439 points on the board last season.
Defense: The Philadelphia defense surrendered 377 points last year while ranking 12th overall, giving up 327 yards per game.
The pass defense gave up 217 yards per game and despite 23 interceptions (3rd in NFL), the secondary got lit up quite often in 2010.
For that reason, the Eagles got the big free agent pickup when they signed cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha away from the Oakland Raiders.
Along with him, the Eagles now have three Pro-Bowl corners as they also acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from Arizona for quarterback Kevin Kolb. Not lost in the fold is Asante Samuel, who led the NFC with seven interceptions last year.
This trio, combined with a solid pass rush unit (Eagles had 39 quarterback sacks in 2010) is what Head Coach Andy Reid hopes will add to a top flight defense in 2011.
Trent Cole (10 sacks) and Juqua Parker (six sacks) are the ends up front along with tackles Antonio Dixon and Mike Patterson. Cullen Jenkins was another free-agent signee and will also play on the D-line, as will Jason Babin, who left Tennessee for the Eagles.
The linebackers are Jamar Chaney, Mosie Kokou and rookie Casey Matthews (Oregon) and depth is provided by Keenan Clayton, Brian Rolle and Akeem Jordan.
The secondary will have the trio of Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie (three picks with two returned for touchdowns) and Samuel along with safeties Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen.
Trevard Lindley and Joselio Hanson provide quality backup in the secondary.
OUTLOOK: The big question will be whether there are enough footballs to go around with all the weapons on offense.
The Eagles loaded up with free-agent signings once the lockout ended and will be looking for immediate results, much like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox annually do in baseball.
The worst case for the team would be losing Vick for any extended period of time as his loose style of play opens him up to potential injuries. Vick was sacked on a regular basis in 2010, even though he possesses extremely great scrambling abilities.
The running game should be solid again and the passing game is of the best in the NFL.
Having a lot of Pro-Bowl caliber players doesn't always add up to success (just ask the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders) and the Eagles had better produce on the field or they will be hearing about from all aspects of the media and fans alike.
The defense has to improve with all the talent on the roster after finishing in the middle of the pack against both the run and the pass in 2010.
One other thing to remember is that the Eagles really should have won the playoff game over Green Bay last season, except kicker David Akers missed two very easy field goals in the 21-16 loss.
But for this season, expect the Eagles to soar again to a 12-4 record and a deep run into the playoffs. Whether they get to (and possibly win) the Super Bowl depends on if they can beat the Green Bay Packers in the post-season.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at St. Louis
Week 2- at Atlanta
Week 3- vs. NY Giants
Week 4- vs. San Francisco
Week 5- at Buffalo
Week 6- at Washington
Week 7- BYE WEEK
Week 8- vs. Dallas
Week 9- vs. Chicago
Week 10- vs. Arizona
Week 11- at NY Giants
Week 12- vs. New England
Week 13- at Seattle
Week 14- at Miami
Week 15- vs. NY Jets
Week 16- at Dallas
Week 17- vs. Washington
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