2008: Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, A.J. Feeley.
2009: McNabb, Kolb, Michael Vick.
You have a healthy, happy Donovan McNabb, who got the offseason contract reworking he'd sought. You've added three-time Pro Bowler Michael Vick. Though Kevin Kolb, the team's top pick in 2007, has become something of a whipping boy for McNabb defenders, that's no more rational than the other side of the coin, the "McNabb's the root of all evil'' camp. Late in the Jacksonville preseason game, and again against the Jets, Kolb shook off the rust and showed the aplomb that made him an attractive prospect.
Running Back - Step Ahead
2008: Brian Westbrook, Correll Buckhalter, Lorenzo Booker, Kyle Eckel.
2009: Westbrook, LeSean McCoy, Eldra Buckley.
We're making the very hazardous assumption that Brian Westbrook is going to be healthier this year than he was last season, when Westbrook posted a 4.0 yards-per-carry average, his lowest since 2005. His 54 receptions for 402 yards were his lowest totals since 2003, when B-West was splitting time with Duce Staley. But if the knee and ankle cleanouts really worked, and Westbrook really is sound at age 30, the Eagles have a potentially more dynamic complement for him than they've fielded since Staley left — rookie LeSean McCoy. Fullback Leonard Weaver also can run the ball, and Eldra Buckley looks like a competent backup who can gain a tough yard — though the equipment guys really set the bar high for Buckley when they gave him Reno Mahe's No. 34 jersey.
Fullback - Step Ahead
2008: Dan Klecko, Tony Hunt, Kyle Eckel.
2009: Leonard Weaver.
Because this year, they actually have one.
Tight End - Same
2008: L.J. Smith, Brent Celek, Matt Schobel.
2009: Celek, Alex Smith.
If Brent Celek didn't seem really focused on proving himself, this would be a "step backward'' grade. The Eagles went into the offseason bidding farewell to L.J. Smith and knowing this position was a huge priority. They congratulated themselves for nabbing an amazing athlete, Cornelius Ingram, in the fifth round of the draft, then had no Plan B when Ingram tore his ACL again. Compounding the oversight, NFL sources told the Daily News that other teams thought there might be a problem with Ingram's initial repair and didn't select him for that reason. Now, if something happens to Celek, tight end can be this year's version of the 2008 fullback follies, or the 2007 punt-return puzzler.
Offensive Line - Same
2008: Tra Thomas, Todd Herremans, Jamaal Jackson, Nick Cole, Jon Runyan, Max Jean-Gilles, Winston Justice, Chris Patrick, Mike McGlynn, Shawn Andrews.
2009: Jason Peters, Herremans, Jackson, Stacy Andrews, Shawn Andrews, Cole, Jean-Gilles, Justice, McGlynn, King Dunlap.
This ought to be a big "step ahead" grade, and maybe by midseason it will be. But there is no way, with all the setbacks this group encountered in training camp, to be sure right now that it's all going to come together. Athletically, Shawn Andrews is a big upgrade over Jon Runyan at right tackle. But you knew Big Jon was going to be there, every week. Don't know that about Shawn. Likewise, Jason Peters is stronger and quicker than Tra Thomas, at this point in Tra's career. But Tra never had any trouble with Donovan McNabb's cadence, and in recent years his conditioning was impeccable. Peters seems to be struggling in both areas. Stacy Andrews is a clear upgrade over Nick Cole at right guard, but Cole will be starting on the left, at least for the first few weeks, where he is a step down from injured Todd Herremans.
Wide Receivers - Step Ahead
2008: Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant, Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis.
2009: Curtis, Jackson, Avant, Brown, Baskett, Jeremy Maclin, Brandon Gibson.
DeSean Jackson might be the Eagles' most lethal weapon; far from showing signs of a sophomore slump, he seems driven to improve on his excellent rookie numbers. Jeremy Maclin ought to make an impact as a rookie. Not sure what's up with Kevin Curtis, but Jason Avant is as steady a slot guy as there is in the league, and Hank Baskett provides good depth. This is the deepest the Andy Reid Era Eagles have been at wideout.
Defensive Line - Same
