Will Eagles return to the postseason?
Stringing together consecutive playoff appearances is very rare in the NFL. Will the Eagles get back for a third straight season during the first year of the Kevin Kolb era?
Will Eagles return to the postseason?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Over the years, we've seen how rare it is for teams to get back to the playoffs in consecutive years.
While the accepted rule is that about 50 percent of the playoff teams will change every season, I took a look at the exact numbers over the lasat five years.
Since the 2004 postseason, 27 out of 60 (45 percent) teams have gotten back the following year.
In the NFC, that number is lower. Eleven of 30 teams (36.7 percent) have returned to the postseason. In the AFC, it's 16 out of 30 (53.3 percent).
The Eagles made the playoffs four times during that span. They were a playoff team in 2004 but did not return in 2005. They were a playoff team in 2006 but did not return in 2007. They were a playoff team in 2008 and did return in 2009.
So the question is: Will they get back in 2010?
Which brings us to some links and notes to round up.
* Mike Florio, writing for The Sporting News, names the six teams that are least likely to return to the playoffs in 2010. The Eagles are one of them:
When the Eagles made Kevin Kolb their first draft pick (at the top of round two) in 2007, they laid the foundation for April's decision to dump long-time starter Donovan McNabb. And while Philly has plenty of faith in Kolb, he'll soon be facing more scrutiny than he ever could have dreamed. The offensive line has plenty of question marks, and the defense regressed significantly in the first year of the Sean McDermott era. To succeed, the Eagles need to clamp down on opposing offenses and display patience when in possession of the ball. It won't be easy, especially in a division that includes the Cowboys, the Giants, and McNabb.
* Got a press release last week about DeSean Jackson's football camp, which will be held at Moorestown Upper Elementary School this week. Per the release, Kevin Kolb, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin are among the teammates expected to attend.
* I've taken some heat for my post on Brent Celek last week so wanted to clarify my stance. I was not handing Celek the title of Best Tight End in Modern Eagles Franchise History. I was simply looking at the numbers and suggesting that if he reaches his potential and continues on the path he's on, he could certainly earn that title. I know he's only had one full season as a starter. But the title of the post was What is Celek's ceiling? And I stand by what I wrote - it's extremely high.
* ESPN.com names the 1960 Eagles as the best team in franchise history. The 2004, 1980 and 2002 teams received honorable mentions. Readers agreed, giving the 1960 team 42 percent of the vote. The '04 team received 35 percent.
* SI.com caught up with a couple ex-Eagles last week to get their take on league-wide issues. Jeremiah Trotter was asked about a potential 18-game season.
"As a businessman, when my guys work overtime, they want overtime money," Trotter said. "It really all comes down to the money. It has to increase significantly for that to be worth it."
And Hollis Thomas weighed in on the Albert Haynesworth situation.
"There are two sides to every story," Thomas said. "He was promised that he was going to play in the 4-3. Nose tackle in the 3-4 is not fun."
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yeah, that should be Tommy Lawlor.— The Reddgie- The best Eagles team was in 87 aka Fog Bowl— goindeep23
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Not without a legitimate power running game. And if they do get in it expect the same results. Lopsided time of possession, Defense worn down, unable to stop the opponents punishing power run game, Kolb ( if he's in there) constantly running for his life etc etc. And at the end Big Andy with that glum facial expression,, " Times yours"— MJPD345
- Hey doodoo...nice way to try to get out of it, but I'm willing to put up the cash NOW...locked away in a safety deposit box which you and I both have a key too---we can draw up legal papers making it so we can only take the cash when one of us wins...still no guts?— Eilex826
- After reviewing the schedule and being a homer... i predict 7 wins 9 losses... no playoffs this year. they will win that many games if Kolb stays healthy and can achieve Mcnabb like numbers. Otherwise it could go down hill fast. There are a lot of question marks— BBAX
- I think the Eagles that got jobbed in the FOG Bowl, was as good or better than any other since 1960— AsValidAsYours
- Oh Philly nation...how you will be so sorry to trade away THE QB that only went to the playoff 8 of 11 years(as previously mentioned, if not hurt in '05 & '07 may have gone either or both). Not to bash Kolb, I certianly hope he's AT LEAST as good as McNabb....bacause there are NO other options left. You got your wish Philly nation, you booed away probably one of the best players in Eagles history. Note to lonewolf: You, my friend, are king of the dum-dums.— rickah88
- The Eagles will make the playoffs IF... 1. Run/pass ratio gets closer to 60/40 (ideal world 50/50) 2. Secondary stays healthy and finds suitable replacements for Dawkins and Brown (ideally Allen and Lindley) 3. O-line stays healthy and survives until Jamaal Jackson returns week 3 or 4, and Stacy Andrews actually outplays his brother at RG. 4. Linebackers stay healthy especially Bradley and the SLB (Fokou right now) can cover tight ends especially Witten and Cooley. 5. D-line can generate a pass rush without blitzing all of the time and exposing our secondary.— uscwee
- I agree with Corey...who knows? But one thing I can tell you is I can't wait for Eagle football to start!!! A bird fan in CA doesn't get to see the games like you locals so I can't wait!!! Anyone got an extra room for me to stay in for the opener???— marine8197
6-10- In other news: Vick will be gone.
- eilex shut up. I dont care who you are and what youre offering. no one is ever going to make a random bet with some guy on a message board on a sports page and actually go through with it. Youre an idiot for offering and dont look any tougher for continuing to push for it. quiet down BOY— tripschaos
- Eagles playoffs? Who knows is the correct answer in June with a distinced possibility of 'No Way'. Doo Doo is correct and should bet Eilex. What is a one tear salary? @Rickah, better recount those pro bowls for McWaddle. Half of them were replacement opprotunities and his last apparence he flat out stunk. @AsValid, jobbed, you got to be kidding. What did Jackson drop that day, at least two touchdowns!— JACK V
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