NFC East Philadelphia Eagles
Finished 2004 season 13-3, 1st place in the NFC East, NFC Champions, lost to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX
Key returning starters:
Donovan McNabb – QB
Brian Westbrook – RB
Terrell Owens – WR (maybe)
Lito Sheppard – CB
Brian Dawkins - S
The Eagles finally got over that hump of 3 straight NFC Championship games losses and faced off against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX only to have their season come to an abrupt end. Having these players come back, one would have thought a repeat season for the Eagles, but the question is has Terrell Owens off-season contract disputes and media charades become too big a distraction for the Eagles to overcome?
2004 Stats:
Ranked 9th overall in offense, #5 ranked in NFC
Ranked 10th overall in defense, #3 ranked in NFC
Your thoughts on the Philadelphia Eagles this upcoming 2005 season...strengths/weaknesses and your prediction on where they will finish in the division.
posted by Steve at 7:45 AM
8 Comments:
From the mouth of TO, "I'll be there but I won't be happy, I can tell you that much. Take from that whatever you want."
I thought maybe the old attitude driven TO was left behind in SF, boy who was I kiddin'.
This is the bottom line - the Eagles are probably the best team in the NFC, obviously the best team in the NFC East. One would argue that TO got the Eagles over the hump to make it to the Super Bowl. I kind of disagree with that, especially considering the TO wasn't even playing in the playoffs. However, I also agree with it knowing his presense gave that offense an extra spark.
The big question is, can the Eagles remain a powerhouse without TO? That answer is yes! That team doesn't revolve around TO, but McNabb and I even feel Westbrook has more of an important role than TO ever will. The nucleus of that team will remain intact this upcoming year and whether or not TO is "happy" in camp, won't mean much because even if TO is unhappy, he'll still go out there and produce. He'll want to prove that he deserves even more money if a new contact isn't offered prior to this season. McNabb isn't stupid enough to hold grudges and have someone of TO's caliber not have the opportunity to make plays.
My prediction is the Eagles will repeat as NFC Champions - I just don't see any other team in the NFC beating this team, especially in the playoffs in Philadelphia. Their defense is as strong as last year. Their biggest downfall this season will be their schedule. Though I don't consider it extremely difficult, they do play 4 tough offensive teams in the AFC West, but also play the worst division in the NFL, the NFC West. But an opening Monday Night matchup @ Atlanta against the Falcons might prove to the NFL fans the Eagles are the real deal again this season. Looking at their schedule, I could easily see a repeat of a 13-3 season. I think their toughest games will be @ Kansas City, @ Denver and @ Washington. I think all 3 teams have tough home stadiums to win in and all have solid home records...it'll be tough for the Eagles to win.
But let's also look at this fact, the Eagles are 59-21 in the past 5 years...that is just sick! Sure they lost some HUGE games during that time frame, but the fact remains they have played in the past 4 NFC Championships and I don't see that changing this season. If it weren't for the Patriots, the Eagles would be the team to beat in the NFL.
Lets also not forget the contract dispute with Corey Simon, the All-Pro DT who, unlike Owens, will not report to camp on-time. Since the Eagles also lost All-Pro LB Ike Reese, is their defense vunerable?
The Eagles are the team to beat in the East with or without TO. McNabb has got to be one determined SOB and he better lay off the Campbell's if he is going to be puking in the huddles like he did in the Super bowl. The defense is going to still be stingy especially with Jevon Kearse hawking the quarterback. Look for Westbrook to put up good number both rushing and receiving. Westbrook I think is the biggest sleeper in the draft and you'd better snag him up in the 2nd or 3rd round if you want to make the playoffs in your fantasy league.
Terrell Owns... Hmm there is a lot of controversy surrounding Owens and the best thing he can do is shut up and play and earn that fatty contract he has had his eye's set on for years now. If the Eagles don't do whatever it takes to keep Terrell Owens look for them to be just a mediocre team this season. I don't care what anyone says about him. Did you see him on one leg in the Super bowl? Thought so! So stick it Owens Haters...
Eagles with Owens 13-3
Eagles without Owens 10-6
Cory simon is a bigger loss than T.O. for this team right now... however...
The Eagles can not win the superbowl without T.O. They may get to the playoffs without him. they may get to the NFC championship without him. They may even get to the superbowl without him... but they won't win it without him.
I really believe they've hit their peak and now will struggle for a few seasons...
As for TEs better than Schlockey:
Gonalez
McMichael
Witten
Gates
Crumpler
And look for Putz to have a great year, too. Schlockey's arguably the most overrated player since Keyshawn Johnson.
---One True Guru---
I have to highly disagree OTG...I'll give you Gonzalez and Gates as those two TE's are obviously the premier TE's int he league, but Witten? He's a top TE, but I certainly don't consider him better than Shockey. Witten has had 1 good season and that's because Vinny doesn't have an arm to stretch the defense vertically. We'll see how Witten does in his 3rd year (also considering the injuries Dallas' WR corp experienced). Crumpler? No way, statistically they had similar seasons but if you're going to list Crumpler, McMichael and Witten ahead of Shockey then I'd have to question your judgement.
Statistically all 3 had very similar seasons man, how do you rate the other two ahead of Shockey? Then to say he's over rated like Keyshawn? That is just brutal....Keyshawn is no Randy Moss but he is so not over-rated.
9 seasons in the NFL, just shy of 9,000 yards (1,000 per season avg), 54 TD, close to 700 receptions - At his pace he'll easily outgain Tim Brown if Johnson plays 17 seasons in the NFL...do you consider Tim Brown over-rated too?
Lets talk fantasy here - a few top round draft choices come from this team, in fact 2 players should be considered 1st round picks, Owens and McNabb. As much as Owens is crying right now, you know he's going to produce, don't shy away from picking him. Westbrook should also be a top 3 round draft choice.
The defense is also a top defense, should be one of the top 10 to go off the board.
I caution anyone picking players from this team though - you may have a strong run into your fantasy playoffs, but I promise you that if the Eagles go on a tear like they did last season, players like Owens, McNabb and Westbrook won't be playing in the last few games to keep them healthy (don't want another Owens fiasco like last season). If you have these players, your playoff aspirations will come to an abrupt halt!
T.O. LOL!! Good Luck Eagles nfc might catch ya soon!!
Hello nnice blog
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