The Eagles Outlook

With the first preseason game in the books, lets look back on the preseason to date.

First the Reasons for Hope:

• Westbrook signs a new deal. A deal so complicated he basically missed the Steelers game to review the contract, but, in the end, the Ultimate Weapon is happy as are the Eagles. Westbrook is finally recognized as a Top 3 back in the NFL. In general the Eagles are pretty fair with their players and this is no exception. Westbrook is the most valuable nonquaterback to any offense in the NFL.
• Samuel, Brown, and Sheppard look like they can coexist. In my opinion, Sheppard has no right to complain about his contract. Westbrook outperformed his contract, and deserved a new one. While it is very clear Sheppard has the potential to do the same, the guy is never healthy. If he has a great year this year, he will make his money - if not with the Eagles, somewhere else. However, the idea the Eagles have three Pro Bowl caliber corners is huge in the pass happy NFL.
• The defense has great speed. The young linebackers of the Eagles can run! They are all sideline to sideline players. Bradley, Gaither, and Gocong are sprinters. All three can play coverage and stuff the run. This is a very talented group.
• The pass rush is improved. Trent Cole proved last year he can be a force, the acquisition of Chris Clemons as a pass rush specialist will help, Juqua Thomas is solid, and Darren Howard has reported to camp in the best shape of his life. Howard, who is fighting for his NFL life at this point, could be valuable as an inside rusher. Bunckley has looked great in camp, and, with Gocong coming from the outside, the Eagles pass rush will be much improved.
• McNabb looks healthy and strong. McNabb, in my opinion, is the most under appreciated player in the NFL. I truly believe he will be a top 3 quarterback in the NFC. Who is better? Giants fans will yell Eli Manning, but, let's not forget around week 8 last year Giants fans were screaming for change. Tony Romo?? Let's see if he puts together a complete year this year. Hasselback? C'mon! Drew Brees? Maybe. Certainly, McNabb when healthy is amongst the elite. I believe he is healthy. Will he stay healthy? We will see. I do have confidence in Kolb and Andy Reid. McNabb hurt does not mean the Eagles are done.

Reasons for Nope:

• The core is getting older - Dawkins, our two stud tackles - Runyan and Thomas, and McNabb are getting older.
• Where in the heck is Shawn Andrews? Andrews is a stud! He is physical, has tremendous feet, can pass protect, and is tremendous teamed with Runyan on the right side of the line. When Westbrook runs right, it is because Andrews can move anybody! Andrews has not been in camp because he has been dealing with depression. While I hope treatment goes well, I worry about the missed time, and I worry about his aggressiveness when he returns. Max Jean-Giles has been impressive in his place, but he isn't Andrews.
• The Receivers. Every year fans around Philly scream for a big time receiver. This year the Eagles made a run at Randy Moss to no avail. Curtis is solid, but seems to disappear at times. Brown looked like he was going to be very good 2 years ago, but was bad last year. Avant and Baskett are solid possession receivers, but neither is dynamic. The new hope is a rookie, DeSean Jackson. He has tremendous speed, but he is a rookie in a complicated offense. Do they have enough weapons to keep teams from just defending Westbrook? In the past, teams would play physical with the Eagles receivers - bumping them on the line and knocking them off their routes, and the Eagles would be three and out, putting to much pressure on the defense. Do they have enough?
• The NFC East. The Giants, Cowboys, and Redskins all improved. This is the best division in football top to bottom so there is no room for a "slump."