Birds take flight

Unless the Phillies make the playoffs, it's the Eagle's time to own the sports landscape in Philadelphia. And they give it back until January (hopefully February). Training camp is here, and we are seeing the whole roster on the field for the first time since last January inside the Superdome. The Eagles made a lot of changes over the offseason, but perhaps the biggest change this year is there is no drama to start 2007. All the rookies are signed and at camp, and no veterans are holding out or missing time due to injury. No one with a two letter nickname is bashing his QB and anyone else he can. And we all saw how missing time in training camp can be detrimental to a rookie; i.e. Broderick Bunkley. It is rare in the NFL these days, but everyone is present and accounted for.
The big story in training camp, and with good reason, is the health of Donovan McNabb. McNabb surprised many by returning earlier than expected and participating in mini camps. And barring any setbacks, McNabb will be a full participant in camp. I've said it a number of times, but it's worth mentioning again: McNabb will be fine, health wise, assuming it doesn't get re-injured. But it shouldn't. I don't understand when it become the norm to anticipate injury and no injuries would be a pleasant surprise. It seems like no one believes that McNabb can make it through the season anymore. Apparently he has a history of injury. Ok. But he also has a history of proving people wrong. Expect a big season from McNabb.
From McNabb to Brian Westbrook, we go from most important offensive player to number 1A. Just one year ago, Westbrook was in McNabb's situation of having many critics saying he couldn't make it through a season. Now, all of the sudden, he finished a season, and his durability isn't even a remote concern anymore. Westbrook can simply due it all. McNabb may be what stirs the drink, by Westbrook is the main ingredient. Expect a big season from Westbrook.
Staying in the backfield, things start to get interesting. The main players here are Correll Buckhalter, who overcame three major knee injuries in four years to be a nice contributor behind Westbrook last season; and Tony Hunt, the big bruising third round pick out of Penn State. Fans have been screaming for a "big" back for years; almost as much as a "go to" wide receiver. I have not been one of them. I personally liked the mixture of small, quick backs who can come out of the backfield and hurt you in the passing game as well. Plus I didn't see the need; Andy Reid never stayed true to his promise to run the ball more. So why go out and get a guy who is going to get two carries a game? However, with the drafting of Hunt, the Eagles are sending a loud and clear message that they plan on balancing the offense a little more. And Hunt could be the perfect guy for them too. He isn't gonna break any long runs, but that's not what they need or want from him. What he is going to do is give those third and three runs for first downs; allow the Eagles to run down the clock late in games; and he can also catch the ball out of the backfield, which is a must for any running back in this system. I expect Hunt to get those short yardage carries and late game/run down the clock carries, and Buckhalter to get everything else that Westbrook doesn't; which won't, and shouldn't, be much.
The wide receivers, like usual, are underrated. Reggie Brown is quickly becoming a very reliable target for whoever is throwing to him. He will never put up the huge numbers you see from big time receivers around the league because that's not the nature of this offense, but he is a true number one guy. And he is entering his third year; a year that is famous for break out seasons from young wideouts. Much has been made of losing Dante Stallworth, but in my opinion Kevin Curtis should be an upgrade. Yes, Stallworth provided an explosiveness to this offense, but he was far too inconsistent (mostly because of injury); a trait that led to his trade out of New Orleans. Curtis has good speed (maybe not as good straight away speed as Stallworth) and good hands. And he is talented over the middle, and has never had the injury problems that Stallworth has had. And behind Curtis on the depth chart is a number of highly serviceable guys in Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis, Jason Avant, and even Jeremy Bloom, who is expected to big things on specials teams. The WR corps will be just fine this season.
At tight end, LJ Smith is the man. And he is in a contract year, so I expect a lot from him. He never gets mentioned with the greats in the game like Tony Gonzalez, Todd Heap, and Antonio Gates because he is not the complete package; he is not a very good blocker. However, in this system, LJ is called upon to make plays in the passing game, and that is what he does. Matt Schobel is a guy who blocks better, but can also provide in the passing game. This is basically a two man show, but it will be interesting to see if Lee Vickers, Brent Celek, and Kyle Hunt can make any noise at training camp.
McNabb and Westbrook are obviously the key individuals on the offensive side of the ball. But the real key is the offensive line. This five man unit has the least amount of question marks going into training camp and the regular season. In fact, I can't think of any. And that is a very good thing. These guys all played all of the games last year, and in the process, became arguably the best unit in the NFL. The opened up huge holes for Westbrook and kept Jeff Garcia alive down the stretch. There, really, nothing short of fantastic. Bringing the same unit into a second straight season, should bring more of the same. Expect a big season from this line.
The Eagles offense is in great shape to repeat, if not exceed, last year's squad's performance. Of course the wildcard is health. Can the key players stay healthy. If they can, watch out; you're looking at an offense that beat team by itself. One last key to this offense lies with the play calling, whoever will have that responsibilty. Offensive coordinator, Marty Mornhinweg, finished the season calling the plays, and the offense ran much smoother while he did so. The better balance sustained more drives and, in turn, kept the defense off the field more. No matter who calls the plays this season, if Andy Reid can see that this balance on offense really worked, and incorporates that same strategy this season, the Eagles should cruise through most games.
More tomorrow on the defensive side of the ball.