Can Donovan McNabb, Andy Reid, Darren Howard and Brian Westbrook Lead the Eagles Back into contention: a mid-offseason snapshot of the Eagles

When we last left the scene down at Lincoln Financial Field, the Philadelphia Eagles were finishing up a 6-10 season that made them closely resemble a Philadelphia professional sports franchise, but was dissimilar to what we have come to expect from the Birds in the previous 5 years, when they won at least 11 games in each season, reaching the championship game four straight times and the Super Bowl once.

Now that we have completed half the offseason and the draft is quickly approaching, let’s take a look at what the Birds did so far and what they should do next weekend in the draft.

Overall Analysis entering Offseason:

The Birds have fallen a long way in the 12 months since their Super Bowl appearance and entered the off-season with more holes than swiss cheese. On offense, assuming McNabb comes back healthy, they still need to plug major holes. They need a major upgrade at back-up quarterback, a power running back to compliment Brian Westbrook, a #1 wide receiver, and offensive line help.

Defensively, their front seven needed a major overhaul. They have no depth or discernable pass rush from the line, and they desperately need playmakers in the linebacker corp. Their secondary, arguably their biggest asset of any position, looked vulnerable last year based on no consistent pressure from the line and backers.

On special teams, they are good to go at kicker, but as far as I can tell, need a punter.

Free Agency:

Signing Jeff Garcia as a back-up quarterback is a huge upgrade over Koy Detmer and Mike McMahon. It was evident quickly after McNabb’s injury last year that those guys cannot play for any extended period and give the team a chance to win. Garcia can do that if need be. As an added bonus, as if T.O. does not hate the organization enough, the Eagles then went and signed the other player that he hates just as much as any Eagle. This should guarantee T.O. scores about five touchdowns in his debut at the Linc in a Cowboy uniform on October 8th.

Re-signing John Runyan was also a critical move. Tra Thomas and his bad back are questionable at left tackle, so losing the right tackle, especially one like Runyan who never misses a game, could have been disasterous. They did not, howver, address their need for help on the interior line (Cleveland offered LaCharles Bentley more money) nor for depth on the line. Now, assuming Thomas can play and stay healthy, which is no slam dunk, they need to get two starters from Artis Hicks, Hank Fraley, and Jamaal Jackson for the left guard and center spots. If everything holds together and the line stays healthy, they will be adequate but not special.

As far as receivers go, we are back to where we were pre-T.O. with the coach/GM saying that the receivers he has are good enough. They did sign Jabar Gaffney in the off-season. I am sure he will put up numbers similar to T.O. this year. To think Reggie Brown is ready to be a #1 receiver in this league is a stretch at best. Pinkston who is barely an adequate #2 is coming off a major Achilles injury, and Greg Lewis proved last year he is no better a wide receiver than I am. So, in other words, their receivers are not good enough, and Gaffney certainly is not going to make them good enough.

Again, they did nothing in free agency to bring in a big, bruising running back to give Westbrook a rest, and play short yardage and goal line situations. Do you thibnk they will re-sign Dorsey Levens, even though he might be eligible for social security before the system goes belly up? Maybe they will surprise us by taking LenDale White in the draft. I doubt it.

Defensively, they signed Shawn Barber, who has proven he fits their system well, but is coming off yet another major injury. And for a team that needs playmakers, and one is sitting out there in Lavar Arrington who is from Pennsylvania and said he would love to play in the NFC East, why have the Birds not made an offer to this guy. He has as good of an upside as anyone out there, he wants to play for you, would be motivated to prove the Redskins wrong (and beat them twice a year), and it fills a need. Their reaction: not interested.

Darren Howard was a good signing on the defensive front. He should take some pressure and maybe some of the double teams from Kearse. They still desperately need help in the interior of the line, both with a top notch player and some depth.

What they Should do in the Draft:

The Eagles still have some major holes to fill before next season kicks off: offensive line, power running back, wide receiver, defensive tackle, and linebacker. The players that could help them out in the general vicinity of where they pick are Justice, the tackle from USC, and a pair of defensive tackles, Ngota from Oregon and Bunkley from Florida State. The problem with the two defensive tackles is that they will both likely be gone by pick #14 and it is expensive to move up. There have also been knocks on Justice and his work ethic.

Based on the plethora of needs that the Birds have, and the lack of a great player who can make an immediate impact at #14, I would recommend trading down into the latter stages of the first round and get an additional pick or two. Then I would use my 7-8 picks in the first four rounds (they have six as of now) to fill as many of these holes as possible. And I would probably use that latter first round pick to take Santonio Holmes or Len Dale White.

Overall, I think the Birds have an awful lot of work to do before they can say they are a legitimate contender in the NFL, NFC, or even the NFC East. Maybe they can make some stride over the next couple weeks to get there. It will be interesting to watch. If they do not make significant improvements, and do not get off to about an 8-2 start, their last six games are extremely brutal, so the rioters could be out in December in Philly!