What they're saying about the Eagles
Predictions for the 2010 NFL season continue to trickle in. Here's a look at what the national media are saying about the Eagles.
What they're saying about the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
As we sit a week away from the start of the 2010 NFL season, predictions continue to trickle in.
Here's our weekly look at what the national media are saying about the Eagles.
SI.com's Ross Tucker previews the NFC East and has the Eagles going 9-7. Tucker has all four teams in the division finishing above .500, with the Redskins and Cowboys going 10-6. He has the Giants finishing 9-7.
Tucker lists one thing that each team needs to improve. For the Birds, he says it's an intimidation factor:
The defense took a step back last year under first-year defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and must get back to being the intimidating crew that the late Jim Johnson created during his tenure in Philly. The Eagles got a number of reinforcements this offseason after trading for linebacker Ernie Sims from the Detroit Lions and using their first two draft choices on defensive end Brandon Graham from Michigan and safety Nate Allen from South Florida. All three are expected to start from day one. The defense also returns rock-solid middle linebacker Stewart Bradley after he missed all of the 2009 campaign with a torn ACL.
Sean McDermott and Andy Reid have pointed to Sims as a guy who can provide that intimidation factor. But, in my opinion, that has to start with being a playmaker, something Sims will have to prove he's capable of in the regular season.
SI.com's Peter King also previews the Eagles in a video that accompanies Tucker's piece. He praises the Eagles for moving on to Kevin Kolb, but says it will be tough for them to win the division or even make the playoffs this season.
NFL.com has six different experts chiming in with Eagles predictions. Two predict 10-6; two predict 9-7; one predicts 8-8; and one predicts 5-11.
Vic Carucci has the Birds winning just five games:
Kevin Kolb will eventually be a good quarterback. This year, however, he isn't ready to carry the load and the team will feel his growing pains.
None of the experts have the Eagles winning the NFC East. Three have them finishing second; two have them finishing third; and Carucci has them finishing last.
Jason La Canfora gives the Eagles 10 wins:
Kevin Kolb is going to be a star. If the OL was more settled I'd like their chances more. Dick Jauron should bring consistency to secondary.
CBSSports.com's Clark Judge predicts a third-place finish for the Eagles. He has the Cowboys first, the Giants second and the Redskins last:
This is one of the most intriguing teams out there because after eight playoffs and five conference championship games they had the guts to cut loose the quarterback who took them there. Now, I'm not sure what to make of them, other than it's never wise to underestimate Reid. He admires Kolb and believes he's a better fit for what the Eagles do with their passing game than McNabb ... and maybe he's right. But one problem: McNabb had over 10 years of starting in this offense; Kolb has two games. So expect mistakes borne from inexperience, which means expect more losses than last season.
In case you missed it from earlier this week, here's what Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski think about the Eagles.
And Phil Simms' take on the Birds.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS: As for Westbrook he had 2 count them 2 thousand yards seasons. His receptions was directly related to the defense having to account for Donovans' running ability. Lets not forget there were games in which Donovan LEAD the team in rushing yards with WESTBROOK in the game. Now that's not to take away from a great player in Westbrook but the fact are just that. If Donovan and the Redskins have a better record than the Eagles Big Red should go.A 4-12 team and A 11-5 team, that decided to trade away the best QB THEY EVER HAD...— dadifference- The Philly media, the national media ... dunces all. The Eagles will finish 13-3, 12-4 at worst and play in the Super Bowl. I don't care what anybody says. When the Eagles start out the season by spanking the Packers back to Green Bay, and Aaron Rodgers is standing on the sideline with egg on his face, the media might start singing a different tune, but I doubt it. Most of these sports media people are dumb and biased.— jimqk
- Unlike last year when some players started leaking their true feelings about McClown. I will go out on a limb and predict the players don't do that this year.— Voytas
- tpizza, to put in your words, it galls you that people lining up their ducks for excuses if McNabb fails, well it galls me when I heard the excuses for or by McNabb. Did you notice that McNabb had problems with receivers with some ability, TO, DJACK. Other receivers that were supposed to be good, R.Brown, Fredex, also had issues. What about Jabbar Gaffney? Catches a ton of balls everywhere, but not here! Never seen a pro QB have this many issues with receivers. But as far as Kolb, to be honest, I don't know what he is going to do. If the defense plays well, and he manages the games right, no turnovers, ala Sanchez and Flacco, they can win their share of games. You don't have to put up these great record numbers that the Mcnabb people throw at you. Look at Bobby Abraeu who I often compare McNabb to. Great offensive numbers, you see his name everywhere in historical categorys. Is he a winner? No. Is he a Hall of Famer? Probably no.Many great QB's on the history of the game, Unitas, Montana, Namath. all who won championships, didn't finish with their teams, so why can't McNabb. I don't understand all the outrage, like its never been done before. Tpizza, I just think it was McNabb to go, because the timing was right when you consider his contract, leadership ability lost, loss of confidence of front office, Kolb riding the bench; it was just time. And if excuses have to be made for him, well thats been done before.— watsonmr
- Much of the season's success will be determined by the OLine - Peters and Andrews have not played consistently. The degree of inconsistenet play is alarming. How can Reid expect to be effective with a 40% question mark at the line of scrimmage - get real!— lerze77
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