Is Philly back?

[UberAlias 0]

With the distraction of Owens out of the way, and some players, such as McNabb, possibly returing to health, should we expect a return of the Philly team that was the class of the NFC two years ago?

 

I say no. They had a nice run, but I think the loss in the SB was likely the window shutting on them as an elete team regardless of the injuries last season. Their defense should still be pretty good, but not dominant, and I have questions about their line backers. On offense, it's all on McNabb who is coming off an injury. They still have questionable receivers and a questionable running game. With the rest of the division having caught up to them, I seem them as an 8 - 8 or 7 - 9 team. They were at the end of their run before last season and last year they took a step back. Obviously injuries had a lot to do with it, but I just can't see how you can expect them to simply return to their SB form as many are predicting.

[unckeyherb 2]

With the distraction of Owens out of the way, and some players, such as McNabb, possibly returing to health, should we expect a return of the Philly team that was the class of the NFC two years ago?

 

I say no. They had a nice run, but I think the loss in the SB was likely the window shutting on them as an elete team regardless of the injuries last season. Their defense should still be pretty good, but not dominant, and I have questions about their line backers. On offense, it's all on McNabb who is coming off an injury. They still have questionable receivers and a questionable running game. With the rest of the division having caught up to them, I seem them as an 8 - 8 or 7 - 9 team. They were at the end of their run before last season and last year they took a step back. Obviously injuries had a lot to do with it, but I just can't see how you can expect them to simply return to their SB form as many are predicting.

 

On offense, it's all on McNabb? what about that Westbrook guy..he pretty good.

 

They still have questionable receivers. With exception to the one year that TO played an almost full season, they have always had questionable WR's. Stinkston, Trash and Fredex were enough to get them to four NFC championships.

 

This team's success will be predicated on its defense, like every year.

 

I personally say they will be much better than everyone has them pegged at. Certainly above .500

 

E-A-G-L-E-S

EAGLES!

[jocstrap 8]

Yup - Philly is at the back of the division again. Last place NFC east

 

What did they do to improve their team from last year to keep pace in the division?

[MDC 7,407]

What did they do to improve their team from last year to keep pace in the division?

 

They vastly improved the D and O lines and expect McNabb, Westbrook and Shepherd back. I'm not sure whether it will be enough in the East - the whole division improved - but IMO the Eagles will be a much better team this year than last season. I've got them pegged for 9-10 wins.

[J-Money 4]

I think the eagles have 1 of the better DL's in their division, but overall I think every other team in their division has a better defense as well as a better offense so i see a rough year coming up for them

[Parja 0]

I see a season of mediocrity for the Eagles. It's not that they've really gotten much worse. The problem is that the rest of the division has gotten considerably better.

[Force of Two 0]

The Eagles can make the playoffs this year for several reasons

 

1) Injuries happen to everyone but they lost McNabb , Westbrook, Shepherd, Tra Thomas, Pinkston, thier starting center....Other than McNabb and likely Shepherd thier is a bit more depth to absorb these type of hits this year.

 

2) The beginning of the schedule is relatively easy....if they can get off to a hot start then this team can start to get the swagger back that it once had and roll into the tough part of the schedule with some real confidence.

 

3) The Owens thing is done and gone.

 

4) This defense will be much improved, likely it will get more pass rush (which is the key to the Eagles D) with the additions of Howard and Bunkley. The defense should be able to keep this team in the game while the offense dinks and dunks its way to the end zone.

 

5) The offense has two home run hitters with Moats and Westbrook and will only need to move the chains. I see alot of 21-24 point games out of this team.

 

The NFC East is going to have 4 playoff caliber teams and likely only get two of them in again. I personally think that the Giants early schedule is going to do them in and thier could be some infighting with Coughlin running the ship if that team does not get off to a good start, t

 

The Cowboys will be very good on Defense and have big play ability on offense and I think that they will be the class of the Division this year.

 

The Redskins until they get a legit trigger man wont be a true contender in my opinion. The more that Brunnell sits out the better off the Skins will be by getting Campbell the amount of reps he will need to eventually take over.

 

All in All if the Eagles defense can get the pressure on the QB that I think it can then they will contend for the NFC East and the statue elderly QB's of the two teams.

[NewbieJr 541]

For starters, the main reason for their downfall is in their division. That's a plus for the Eagles. With Bledsoe's temper, T.O. will tear the Cowboys apart before the year's half-over.

 

The Giants should be improved with Manning being one year older. The Redskins will be as good as Brunell is. If he can duplicate last years' effort, they will be a tough out.

 

To be honest, if any of the four win, I won't be shocked. They are all on a level playing field to start the year.

[gatorbait7391 0]

no

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

The winner of the NFC East this year will be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl.

 

I believe the Eagles have a shot at winning the division, but alot of things will have to fall their way this year.

 

On both lines, they are much improved. A vastly improved defensive line will make the defense a much formidable unit again. It's amazing how a constant pass rush can help the other components of the defense.

 

The offensive line should offer some protection for McNabb this year. Additionally, if Big Red sticks to his word about running the ball more, it should dissuade opposing defenses from pinning their ears back and putting an all-out pass rush on McNabb.

 

McNabb has shown an ability to control the ball and spread around the wealth in the passing offense. I think there is depth at WR, but the offense will thrive if one of the young guys can step up and be the go-to guy they'll need.

 

I think last year was a painful lesson taught to Big Red and how he needs to adapt to game-by-game situations.

 

10-6 wins the division next year, and if bad luck doesn't rear it's ugly head this year, the eagles will be in the hunt.

[lennie75 0]

I believe the Eagles will be a solid team. But your question in my mind means whether or not they make the playoffs. I just think it will be a hard road. ...not only for them...but for any team in the NFC East.

 

1) They kill each other in hated rivalries...but this year all teams are good...for the most part.

2) they have to play the NFC South...and these will not be gimme games either.

 

I just see too canabilization in the NFC East.

 

Here is the schedule:

 

Houston

Giants

San Fran

Green Bay

Dallas

New Orleans

Tampa Bay

Jacksonville

Bye

Washington

Tennessee

Indi

Carolina

Washington

Giants

Dallas

Atlanta

 

 

there are definately some winable games in there. But that is a tough last 6 games!!! Indi, Carolina,

Washington, Giants, Dallas then Atlanta.

[ellisonb11 0]

I see a season of mediocrity for the Eagles. It's not that they've really gotten much worse. The problem is that the rest of the division has gotten considerably better.

 

i agree. they are definitely not one of the better teams in the division. the other teams are strong, and the eagles i dont think can get far with reggie brown as their go to guy

[UberAlias 0]

On offense, it's all on McNabb? what about that Westbrook guy..he pretty good.

His career best of 812 rushing yards would have qualified him as the #24 last season. And that's using his career high.

[Ravens 03 0]

Nope - Talent pool has been diminished.

[Rye & Leaf 0]

yes....

[Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka 0]

[Let Da Big Dog Eat 40]

Only if the D is dominent. They don't have a solid, every down RB, Westy is a great 3rd down type of back, best in the NFL but he is not a every down back who can run between the tackles and control a game. There is no big time WR or TE...... And, the rest of the division is very strong. I see .500 and if McNabb goes down, maybe well worse. Not hating here, just realistic.

[biscuitman357 0]

I'd say 9-7

 

Those WRs will probably do nothing for that offense, and I foresee more McNabb passes hitting shoe tops, but the Eagles tend to play mistake free football. I don't think Reid could run a dynamic offense to save his life, but he does make sure the Eagles play relatively mistake free. Coaching continuity will probably help here. I think the Eagles strength is they win the games they are supposed to win and split everything else. To their credit, they are a good regular season team, its in the playoffs that their deficiencies are impossible to ignore.

 

Secondary is strong, special teams is solid, good kicker. I think alot of people are looking at McNabb for the teams success, I'm looking at Jevon Kearse. If he can justify that fat contract and terrorize offenses again, its a whole new world for Philly. A suffocating D shortens the field for the offense, which reduces the pressure on McNabb to carry that offense and gives Akers more chances to punch it through.

 

On talent alone, Philly is a 7-9 team. Factor in the intangibles ( coaching continuity, mistake free football, to a fault 'play it safe' playcalling that limits turnovers) and the Iggles are worth another two wins. 9-7 is my call.

[phillybear 366]

The winner of the NFC East this year will be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl.

 

Since all the teams in that division will be beating up on each other, it is unlikely one of them will have home field throughout the NFC playoffs. It is not that easy to win road playoff games. So I have to disagree.

[Gabriel Balcavienga 0]

I believe the Eagles will be a solid team. But your question in my mind means whether or not they make the playoffs. I just think it will be a hard road. ...not only for them...but for any team in the NFC East.

 

1) They kill each other in hated rivalries...but this year all teams are good...for the most part.

2) they have to play the NFC South...and these will not be gimme games either.

 

I just see too canabilization in the NFC East.

 

Here is the schedule:

 

Houston

Giants

San Fran

Green Bay

Dallas

New Orleans

Tampa Bay

Jacksonville

Bye

Washington

Tennessee

Indi

Carolina

Washington

Giants

Dallas

Atlanta

there are definately some winable games in there. But that is a tough last 6 games!!! Indi, Carolina,

Washington, Giants, Dallas then Atlanta.

 

The reason the Eagles will be 8-8 or worse this year is the schedule. Your points are excellent but what you don't get into is the fact that of those last 6 games, they have to go on the road to Indy (loss), home against Carolina (crapshoot) and then

 

ON THE ROAD FOR 3 STRAIGHT DIVISION GAMES!!!! Who in hell makes this schedule up? Has this ever happened before? AT Wash, AT Giants, AT Dallas all in a row. Ridiculous.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

I'd say 9-7

 

Those WRs will probably do nothing for that offense, and I foresee more McNabb passes hitting shoe tops, but the Eagles tend to play mistake free football. I don't think Reid could run a dynamic offense to save his life, but he does make sure the Eagles play relatively mistake free. Coaching continuity will probably help here. I think the Eagles strength is they win the games they are supposed to win and split everything else. To their credit, they are a good regular season team, its in the playoffs that their deficiencies are impossible to ignore.

 

Secondary is strong, special teams is solid, good kicker. I think alot of people are looking at McNabb for the teams success, I'm looking at Jevon Kearse. If he can justify that fat contract and terrorize offenses again, its a whole new world for Philly. A suffocating D shortens the field for the offense, which reduces the pressure on McNabb to carry that offense and gives Akers more chances to punch it through.

 

On talent alone, Philly is a 7-9 team. Factor in the intangibles ( coaching continuity, mistake free football, to a fault 'play it safe' playcalling that limits turnovers) and the Iggles are worth another two wins. 9-7 is my call.

 

I seem to recall McNabb's shoetop passes and lack of name-brand receivers in previous years when they went to 3 NFC Championships, and winning a 4th without TO participating.

 

I think playing mistake free football may be a little more important that having a go-to receiver.

 

Since 2000, Andy Reid has 7 playoff wins, bested only by Bill Belichick's 8.

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/homeNews...il.jsp?id=20711

 

 

 

Since all the teams in that division will be beating up on each other, it is unlikely one of them will have home field throughout the NFC playoffs. It is not that easy to win road playoff games. So I have to disagree.

 

Over the past 2 seasons, the NFC representative had the home field advantage. Prior to that, the Eagles lost at home to Carolina and Tampa. In the AFC, the team with home field advantage hasn't been the SB representative hardly ever (over the past 5 seasons).

 

I think home field advantage is overrated. It helps, but the cream is always gonna rise to the top. You say they'll be beating each other up. I'm from the school where conquering a tough schedule and playing all the tough teams only makes you stronger in the end and battle tested.

[swamp dog 0]

the problem is the division they play in, arguably the toughest division in football. there could be 2-3 teams better than them in their own division. there wouldn't be a single nfcn team that would finish above .500 if they had to play in that division.

 

i did really like their draft this year, though.

[unckeyherb 2]

His career best of 812 rushing yards would have qualified him as the #24 last season. And that's using his career high.

 

yeah, I believe he also had about 700 yards receiving which puts him at 1500 all purpose yards and 9 TD's. He averaged more than 4.5 yrds/carry and only had 1 fumble that year. Not amazing numbers, but we are not talking about fantasy production in this case. He is continuously the go-to guy in philly, and he usually gets it done.

[phillybear 366]

Over the past 2 seasons, the NFC representative had the home field advantage. Prior to that, the Eagles lost at home to Carolina and Tampa. In the AFC, the team with home field advantage hasn't been the SB representative hardly ever (over the past 5 seasons).

 

I think home field advantage is overrated. It helps, but the cream is always gonna rise to the top. You say they'll be beating each other up. I'm from the school where conquering a tough schedule and playing all the tough teams only makes you stronger in the end and battle tested.

 

The flip side is Seattle riding a semi-easy schedule all the way to the Super Bowl last year. Home field was nice. But with all the key injuries they had, especially at WR, LB, and defensive backfield, the somewhat easy schedule allowed them to win a lot of games anyway. At the end, they played a decent Washington team, then Carolina, coming off a bunch of road games in a row, and beat up with injuries. And home field turned the game into a rout.

 

I would much rather have home field. Especially if it means also getting an extra week off in the playoffs while other teams are knocking the snot out of each other.

 

Eagles had a nice draft this year, but I don't know if they are better than 7-9 or 8-8 this year. Almost feels like a rebuilding year. Play a bunch of young guys. Which might make sense to reload while the other teams in the division possibly step back in a year or two, with Parcells on the verge of leaving, Brunell going to retire soon, etc. But we will see how the rest of the offseason shapes up.

[MDC 7,407]

I'm kind of wondering how the Giants and Redskins got better? Dallas obviously improved a ton. The Redskins IMO overspent by a mile for Randle El and lost Arrington, and Brunell is how old now? Unless I'm missing something they threw a lot of cash around without improving at all. You could make a case that the Giants improved - they did add Arrington and Madison to their D - but I'd argue that NY played well over their heads last year and got badly exposed in the playoffs. The Giants struggled to beat the Eagles twice with McMahon at QB. Lose those two games - and they would have lost them both, had Philly not been so beat up - and you're looking at a 9-7 team that misses the playoffs.

 

"On paper" is the key phrase here. The Cowboys improved, the Giants maybe improved, and I think the Eagles got a lot better. Every year the Skins are paper champs, but they are the masters at overspending for overrated veterans.

[Big Blue 06 195]

I'm kind of wondering how the Giants and Redskins got better? Dallas obviously improved a ton. The Redskins IMO overspent by a mile for Randle El and lost Arrington, and Brunell is how old now? Unless I'm missing something they threw a lot of cash around without improving at all. You could make a case that the Giants improved - they did add Arrington and Madison to their D - but I'd argue that NY played well over their heads last year and got badly exposed in the playoffs. The Giants struggled to beat the Eagles twice with McMahon at QB. Lose those two games - and they would have lost them both, had Philly not been so beat up - and you're looking at a 9-7 team that misses the playoffs.

 

"On paper" is the key phrase here. The Cowboys improved, the Giants maybe improved, and I think the Eagles got a lot better. Every year the Skins are paper champs, but they are the masters at overspending for overrated veterans.

 

If you're interested, I'd be willing to make a wager of some sort that the Giants finish ahead of the Iggles in the division. Just throwing it out there.

[phillybear 366]

If you're interested, I'd be willing to make a wager of some sort that the Giants finish ahead of the Iggles in the division. Just throwing it out there.

 

You gonna make a wager with a welcher? Good luck.

[MDC 7,407]

If you're interested, I'd be willing to make a wager of some sort that the Giants finish ahead of the Iggles in the division. Just throwing it out there.

 

Never said they'd finish beneath the Eagles. Just making the point that the Giants weren't so great last year and didn't get all that much better. But sure WTF - I'll make you a wager. What did you have in mind?

 

You gonna make a wager with a welcher? Good luck.

 

Says the guy who absolutely guaranteed a Suckhawks victory in the Super Bowl, then disappeared from the board for a month when his team got embarassed.

[Force of Two 0]

Never said they'd finish beneath the Eagles. Just making the point that the Giants weren't so great last year and didn't get all that much better. But sure WTF - I'll make you a wager. What did you have in mind?

Says the guy who absolutely guaranteed a Suckhawks victory in the Super Bowl, then disappeared from the board for a month when his team got embarassed.

 

and thats worse than being a welcher?...How?...Im an Eagle fan and have no love for the Hawks but how did they get embarrassed?

[biscuitman357 0]

I seem to recall McNabb's shoetop passes and lack of name-brand receivers in previous years when they went to 3 NFC Championships, and winning a 4th without TO participating.

 

I think playing mistake free football may be a little more important that having a go-to receiver.

 

Since 2000, Andy Reid has 7 playoff wins, bested only by Bill Belichick's 8.

 

 

Yes and the Eagles have never won a SuperBowl. How many of Belichicks playoff wins were SuperBowl wins? Last I checked, he had a couple of rings from his Parcells days, and three as head coach of the Patriots. Thats alot of hardware. Maybe its best to avoid comparing the Iggles and the Patriots if you want to count the actual postseason wins that really matter like the SuperBowl.

 

Look at the division. Tom Coughlin. Bill Parcells. Joe Gibbs. All these teams have better WR corps than Philly. They also all have old school coaches who push and get results from mistake free football. How Reid runs shop might be an advantage in the NFC West, where the teams play real sloppy, but its not gonna do him much than have him hold par in the NFC East. Sure Reids style will help them in teams outside of their division, but inside it is a whole different ballgame.

 

The Iggles intangibles are worth another two wins in the regular season, likely against underachievers outside the NFC East, but come the playoffs and the road to the Superbowl, they won't be beating up on regular season teams they are supposed to beat anymore, they will be facing hardened playoff caliber teams.

[phillybear 366]

Says the guy who absolutely guaranteed a Suckhawks victory in the Super Bowl, then disappeared from the board for a month when his team got embarassed.

 

Hey, Corky, you do remember that the board was down from December to March. So I ask you, what threads you were reading, and where?

 

And if you are referring to thedanzone, a site you were banned from so you couldn't read any threads on it, I posted everyday of the playoff run, guaranteed nothing, posted in the Super Bowl thread during the game, and posted everyday after the Super Bowl for the next two months. Then FFToday came back.

 

I would type out an "OWNED" in huge letters, but you all ready know how badly you got burned in this lesson in reality.

 

Ah, what the hell...

 

 

OWNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MDC 7,407]

Hey, Corky, you do remember that the board was down from December to March. So I ask you, what threads you were reading, and where?

 

And if you are referring to thedanzone, a site you were banned from so you couldn't read any threads on it, I posted everyday of the playoff run, guaranteed nothing, posted in the Super Bowl thread during the game, and posted everyday after the Super Bowl for the next two months. Then FFToday came back.

 

I would type out an "OWNED" in huge letters, but you all ready know how badly you got burned in this lesson in reality.

 

Ah, what the hell...

OWNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I've never been fully banned from the danzone - I can still get on with my home computer (both of them) and just chose not to visit. However, in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl and afterward I checked in frequently to laugh at your predictions of how the Suckhawks were going to "destroy" the Steelers (your words) and it wouldn't even be a contest. Well you were right phillybear - it wasn't a contest. Pittsburgh brought it's D game and still dominated from start to finish. And the second the Super Bowl ended you slunk off like a little biitch with your tail between your legs and didn't come back until months later when FFT was back up - pretty convenient.

 

OWNED!

[phillybear 366]

I've never been fully banned from the danzone - I can still get on with my home computer (both of them) and just chose not to visit. However, in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl and afterward I checked in frequently to laugh at your predictions of how the Suckhawks were going to "destroy" the Steelers (your words) and it wouldn't even be a contest. Well you were right phillybear - it wasn't a contest. Pittsburgh brought it's D game and still dominated from start to finish. And the second the Super Bowl ended you slunk off like a little biitch with your tail between your legs and didn't come back until months later when FFT was back up - pretty convenient.

 

OWNED!

 

Are you off your medication this week? None of this is reality. I posted every day at that site. I continously expressed my mantra PRIOR to the game for a fairly officiated game, based on the prior playoff games last year. Seattle played Pittsburgh even, the Steelers made a few key plays, and won a close game. Check the stats for the game. Seattle held their own. Dominated? Hardly. It would have been terrible karma to post "destroy Pittsburgh", and as a superstitious gambler, I never tempt karma like that. Also, by the way, guests cannot login to that site. But just to let you know, I posted every day (what else am I gonna do from work), and beat myself up far more than anyone else could. I was amazed by the amount of sympathy expressed by how Seattle got ripped off by the refs.

 

What is sad is you are a welcher, now a liar, and pretty much everybody dislikes you at this site. No matter, as I have no interest in making waves on the Main Board. Take it to the Geek Bored, if you would like.

[Force of Two 0]

Look at the division. Tom Coughlin. Bill Parcells. Joe Gibbs. All these teams have better WR corps than Philly. They also all have old school coaches who push and get results from mistake free football. How Reid runs shop might be an advantage in the NFC West, where the teams play real sloppy, but its not gonna do him much than have him hold par in the NFC East. Sure Reids style will help them in teams outside of their division, but inside it is a whole different ballgame.

 

Reid doesnt run a loose ship....What are you implying here?

[MDC 7,407]

Are you off your medication this week? None of this is reality.

 

Really? It's about as much "reality" as your claim that I welched on my bet. Itsatip that you're talking about a bet I placed in Feb. 2004 with a poster who's never appeared again, and after three months I asked if said poster would care if I came back and never received an answer or saw him again. So you know what? Why don't you kiss my ass while I pinch a sh1t cone off onto your face. Nobody cares about the Seattle Suckbags or anything else you have to say, and I never so much as noticed you until you started beating your chest like a focking gorilla after the Suckbags finally won a playoff game. You're a disgrace and your entire family is ashamed to be associated with you. Go suck on the muzzle of a .38 and pull the trigger, assclown.

[phillybear 366]

I welched on my bet.

 

And that is why you have zero credibility now, and in the forseeable future.

 

Try as much as you can to get under everybody's skin, it is a tip that we are laughing AT you. Now, go home and get your shiny coffee box.

[Force of Two 0]

You two live within 20 miles of each other....why not just fight it out?

 

Though I think PB would crush the male clerical worker....and then decapitate MDC's blowup doll

[IN$TANT REPAY 11]

Yup - Philly is at the back of the division again. Last place NFC east

 

What did they do to improve their team from last year to keep pace in the division?

 

[MDC 7,407]

And that is why you have zero credibility now, and in the forseeable future.

 

Try as much as you can to get under everybody's skin, it is a tip that we are laughing AT you. Now, go home and get your shiny coffee box.

 

Yeah, you're laughing ... that's why I never, ever have anything to say to you, and you follow me around like a lost puppy dog begging for attention.

 

ETA: The bottom line is I never follow you around. I'd actually be stunned if you could find one single post where I ever talk about you or address you in conversation without you initiating it. So either I do get under your skin, or following me around is your way of cronying up to the Sanctuary gang. Either way, get a life.

[phillybear 366]

Yeah, you're laughing ... that's why I never, ever have anything to say to you, and you follow me around like a lost puppy dog begging for attention.

 

You are my puppet. When I pull the strings, you dance.

 

You should go back to your political threads since you don't understand football. And I'll go back to being a sociopath.

 

Dance, puppet, dance.