SI: Eagles not a playoff team
Sports Illustrated and other national publications continue to make their preseason predictions. But they're not showing the Eagles much love.
SI: Eagles not a playoff team
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The preseason predictions continue to trickle in, and many of the national experts seem to be in agreement that the Eagles will take a step back in 2010 and miss out on the playoffs.
SI.com has a panel of eight NFL writers/editors making preseason predictions, and not one of them thinks the Eagles will make the postseason. Seven pick the Cowboys to win the NFC East, and one picks the Giants. Three others have the Giants earning a wild-card berth. One even picks the Redskins to sneak into the playoffs. But none have the Eagles getting in.
In terms of Super Bowl picks, six of the eight writers have the Eagles' Week 1 opponent, the Packers, representing the NFC. One has the Saints, and another has the Cowboys.
The group also predicts award winners for the following six categories: MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year. They have the Eagles shut out of all those categories as well. No votes for Brandon Graham as the top defensive rookie. No votes for Andy Reid. No votes for Trent Cole as the league's best defensive player.
The crew over at National Football Post is also up with their preseason predictions. One of eight writers picks the Eagles to win the NFC East, and it's former Birds consultant, Andrew Brandt. One other writer picks the Eagles to earn a wild-card berth. Five like the Cowboys to win the division, and two pick the Giants.
OTHER LINKS:
* SI.com's Don Banks has the Eagles 14th in his power rankings:
I've heard some whispers of doubt around the league about whether or not Kevin Kolb will be ready for his close-up this season in Philly. If he's not, it won't take long for the pressure to mount. I'd say a loss at home to Green Bay on Sunday, followed by a Donovan McNabb-orchestrated win for Washington against Dallas that night sounds about right in terms of a timetable.
* ESPN.com has the Eagles 15th in its power rankings:
A bad third preseason game has people wondering how good Kevin Kolb is. He's good, but he's no Donovan McNabb.
* Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Eagles 13th:
It's all about Kevin Kolb. If he can show the Eagles made the right move to jettison Donovan McNabb, the Eagles will be in the playoffs. If not, Andy Reid will be open to a Philadelphia-style rip job. And he's a big target.
* Fanhouse has the Eagles eighth:
With all the attention Dallas and Washington have gotten, the Eagles are almost a forgotten team, even though they're a perennial playoff contender. Don't expect that to change much, even though Kevin Kolb takes over at quarterback.
* Earlier today, I posted about how 98 percent of the betting public is backing the Packers to cover the 3-point spread.
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Comment removed.
HOW IS THIS A "REBUILDING YEAR?" WE HAVE THE SAME EXACT OFFENSE AS LAST YEAR, SAVE ONE PLAYER. Philly_mike go back to your hole.— brmorgen81- Bmorgen, stay as weet as you are. This is a 12 win team right? Or is it 15 wins this year? Give me a break. The team was mediocre last year and doesn't look any better this year. The O-line stinks and the defense will get pushed around as they have for the past few seasons. They better be rebuilding. Im not sure why that would offend you so much.— Sewellmatt
- I think its great saying this team will not be in the playoffs. Even I know this is a rebuilding team and a last place team. I can just hear all the cry baby fans when the Fly birds are losing each game. With this divison......They will not get by my team THE GIANTS, and the Cowboys, and especially McNabb. You will be sorry he was let go.— MRD
- Cry babies get ready for Green Bay to run all over you!— MRD
- @MRD say it again be careful what you wish for eagles last place team.— teebone40
- The press is forced into a position of using no imagination. They have to forecast using last years stats and they see that Kolb has replaced a great QB like McNabb. End of story. Maybe they will end up being right -just lucky probably. But if you listen to them you are more foolish than they are.— izzylangfan
- Can't blame the experts for not expecting the Eagles to do well. Regardless of how good Kolb can be, and how high his ceiling might be, this is his first year of being the starter. He lacks the NFL experience to do really well. Look at all the good quarterbacks. How many of them had a good first year? I can't think of ANY. Aikman, Manning, Montana, McNabb, etc, etc, etc. The experts have to make their decisions based on what history shows, and that's that Kolb will have a difficult first year. 8-8 or better must be considered a success. If we make the playoffs, it's a GREAT success. anything beyond that is fairy tale land.— dlscholt
Marino had a pretty good rookie year.- Marino had a pretty good rookie year.
- Eagles will win 4 or 5 games this year.— MRD
Eagles will be 10-6 at worst. Can really see 11-16 wins for this team because they are better than dallas, washington and newyork. Cowboys and packers are the most overatted teams in the NFC.— briandawkins20
how is 8-8 considered a success? this team is BETTER then last years team. same offense and better defense. same oloine that mcnabb had will be starting in week 1. so i dont see why my eagles should take a step back unless kolb doesnt play well. and if thats the case, bench him in favor of vick. but enough with the excuses.- TEEBONE40-- I think you and everyone else who read this page knows the Eagles how no chance of making the playodffs. They are a Re-building team that lost a lot of players from the past. This divivion is to strong and the Giants and Cowboys and even Mcnabb's Skins are too good for your crappy team! I would say givce it a few more years! Plus I have never seen the Eagles with a Super Bowl Trophy. Thats pretty pathetic.— MRD
- This transplanted Philly guy hasn't had the chance to watch the Eagles in preseason, so can't evaluate his bona fides as a defensive MVP candidate. But I can tell you from watching the Cards that he is gonna have to beat out LB Darryl Washington, the Cards' 2nd round pick out of TCU. The guy is everywhere and will lead the team in tackles, no sweat.— ArizonaMike
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