Philadelphia Eagles Season Preview

(Courtesy of My Sportsbook) - The Philadelphia Eagles are hoping their window hasn't shut. After four straight trips to the NFC Championship, including the win over the Falcons that sent Andy Reid's team to Super Bowl XXXIX last season, those inside the franchise have to know that time is not on their side in the riches-to-rags world of today's NFL.Five of the past six Super Bowl runners-up have posted a losing mark the following season. In 2004, the Carolina Panthers went from the biggest game in sports to a 7-9 mark. The year before, the Oakland Raiders went from a Super Bowl party in San Diego to a 4-12 record and the dismissal of head coach Bill Callahan.Not since the early 1970s has a team that lost the Super Bowl come back to win it the next year. The 1972 Miami Dolphins performed the feat, back before the phrase "salary cap" entered the game's lexicon.

But more than the historical aspect, the Eagles will be fighting to navigate around the remnants an offseason that had more than its fair share of turmoil. Wideout Terrell Owens publicly criticized quarterback Donovan McNabb, as did now-deposed wideout Freddie Mitchell. Owens, running back Brian Westbrook and defensive tackle Corey Simon all entered highly-publicized contract squabbles with the team, none of which had been rectified as training camp began. Can the Eagles successfully overcome both the drama and history, not to mention the 18 opponents they will have to get through to reach Detroit for Super Bowl XL? Below we take a capsule look at the 2005 edition of the Philadelphia Eagles, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

Philadelphia Eagles 2004 RECORD: 13-3 (1st, NFC East) LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2004, lost to New England, 24-21, in Super Bowl COACH (RECORD): Andy Reid (64-32 in six seasons with Eagles, 64-32 overall) OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Brad Childress DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jim Johnson OFFENSIVE STAR: Donovan McNabb, QB (3875 passing yards, 31 TD, 8 INT, 220 rushing yards) DEFENSIVE STAR: Jevon Kearse, DE (31 tackles, 7.5 sacks) OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 24th rushing, 7th passing, 8th scoring DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 16th rushing, 12th passing, t2nd scoring FIVE KEY GAMES: at Atlanta (9/12), at Dallas (10/9), San Diego (10/23), Dallas (11/14), at N.Y. Giants (11/20) KEY ADDITIONS: QB Mike McMahon (from Lions), RB Ryan Moats (3rd Round, Louisiana Tech), WR Reggie Brown (2nd Round, Georgia), DT Mike Patterson (1st round, USC), LB Matt McCoy (2nd Round, San Diego State) KEY DEPARTURES: QB Jeff Blake (not tendered), RB Dorsey Levens (not tendered), WR Freddie Mitchell (released), WR Todd Pinkston (will miss season with ruptured Achilles), TE Chad Lewis (not tendered), TE Jeff Thomason (not tendered), G/T Jermane Mayberry (to Saints), DE Derrick Burgess (to Raiders), LB Ike Reese (to Falcons), LB Nate Wayne (released)

QB: Back to guide the offense is quarterback Donovan McNabb, who tossed for career highs in yards (3875) and touchdowns (31) while running for three scores on the ground and firing just eight interceptions. McNabb, who earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl citation, will be backed by either Koy Detmer (207 passing yards, 0 TD, 2 INT) or Mike McMahon, an offseason pickup from Detroit. McMahon started seven games with the Lions in 2001-02, and has more career pass attempts than Detmer.

RB: Though unhappy with his contract situation, Brian Westbrook (812 rushing yards, 73 receptions, 9 TD) is again expected to take his place in the Eagles backfield. Westbrook was an integral part of Philadelphia's offensive success last season, scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl and earning his initial selection to the Pro Bowl. Behind Westbrook on the depth chart are Correll Buckhalter, who missed all of 2004 due to injury, rookie Ryan Moats (Louisiana Tech), and the versatile Reno Mahe (91 rushing yards, 14 receptions). Moats should get plenty of chances to shine, since he is considered the heir apparent to Westbrook should the Pro Bowler not sort out his contract situation in time for 2006. Fullback Jon Ritchie is back after missing the final 13 games of 2004 with a knee injury, and Josh Parry (9 receptions) will have to battle Thomas Tapeh (42 rushing yards) for the backup fullback job.

WR/TE: There was some early chatter that disgruntled Philly receiver Terrell Owens (77 receptions, 14 TD) might sit out the 2005 season if his contract demands were not met, but Owens reported to training camp on time and isn't expected to leave the team. Todd Pinkston (36 receptions, 1 TD) ruptured his Achilles less than a week into camp, so either third-year man Greg Lewis (17 receptions) or rookie Reggie Brown (Georgia) will now start opposite Owens. Billy McMullen, who has just four catches in two pro seasons, has a beat on the No. 4 wideout slot, and virtual unknowns Robert Redd and Justin Jenkins are among those battling for the No. 5 spot on the depth chart. With Chad Lewis (29 receptions, 3 TD) gone after eight seasons as an Eagle, L.J. Smith (34 receptions, 5 TD) becomes the team's unquestioned No. 1 tight end. Former Cowboy James Whalen, who was not on an NFL roster in 2004, is projected as Smith's backup, and long snapper Mike Bartrum can also play the position in a pinch.

OL: There is some turnover here, as guard and former first-round draft pick Jermane Mayberry parlayed a solid 2004 season into a lucrative free agent deal in New Orleans. Shawn Andrews, who won a starting job as a rookie last season before losing his final 15 games to a broken leg, is expected to take over for Mayberry at right guard. Artis Hicks, who started 13 games when Andrews went down a year ago, is slated to play left guard. Tackles Jon Runyan (right side) and Tra Thomas (left side) are among the best-respected linemen in the business, as is center Hank Fraley. Thomas was expected to miss most of training camp because of a blood clot that required treatment. Steve Sciullo did a nice job as a backup last year, starting five games due to various injuries, and should be assured of a spot. Trey Darilek also has experience in an Eagle uniform, but may have to beat out rookies Todd Herremans (4th round, Saginaw Valley State), Scott Young (5th round, BYU) and/or Calvin Armstrong (6th Round, Washington State) to make the 2005 team.

DL: The Eagles lost end Derrick Burgess (24 tackles, 2.5 sacks) to free agency in the offseason, and on the eve of training camp his potential replacement, Jerome McDougle (13 tackles, 2 sacks), was shot during a robbery in Miami. McDougle may not be ready in time for the season, meaning N.D. Kalu will probably be starting opposite Jevon Kearse (31 tackles, 7.5 sacks) as 2005 begins. Kalu started all 16 games and amassed 5.5 sacks in 2003, but missed all of last season following a knee injury sustained in training camp. Serving as backups should be third-year man Jamaal Green and veteran Hugh Douglas (15 tackles, 3 sacks), with undersized rookie Trent Cole (5th round, Cincinnati) another option off the edge. The Birds are deep at defensive tackle, with their rotation of Corey Simon (32 tackles, 5.5 sacks), Darwin Walker (29 tackles, 4.5 sacks), Hollis Thomas (21 tackles), Sam Rayburn (28 tackles, 6 sacks) and rookie Mike Patterson (1st round, USC) ranking as perhaps the best interior unit in football. There was speculation throughout the offseason and into training camp that Simon, who is unhappy with his contract situation, could be dealt before the regular season begins.

LB: The Philadelphia defense kicked into high gear in the middle of last season, when Jeremiah Trotter (69 tackles) was installed into the starting lineup at middle linebacker in place of Mark Simoneau (48 tackles, 1.5 sacks). Simoneau appeared more comfortable on the weak side, but will be hard-pressed to beat out the up-and-coming Keith Adams (46 tackles) as the starter there in 2005. Dhani Jones (71 tackles, 1 INT) had a quiet but effective year on the strong side, and should reassume that role. Backups Jason Short (5 tackles) and Mike Labinjo (12 tackles) are potential special teamers, but at least one could be beaten out by third-round draft choice Matt McCoy (San Diego State).

DB: Three of the Eagles' four secondary starters were Pro Bowl picks in 2004, as cornerback Lito Sheppard (56 tackles, 5 INT), free safety Brian Dawkins (69 tackles, 4 INT, 3 sacks), and strong safety Michael Lewis (88 tackle) were all cited. The fourth starter, cornerback Sheldon Brown (89 tackles, 2 INT), probably deserved to be named to the team as well. Backup corners Dexter Wynn (18 tackles) and Roderick Hood (39 tackles, 1 INT) played well when called upon, as did backup safety Quintin Mikell (24 tackles). Safety J.R. Reed (24 tackles) is expected to miss the season following a leg injury suffered in the offseason, a situation that opens the door for fourth-round draft choice Sean Considine (Iowa).

SPECIAL TEAMS: There isn't a better kicker in the league than David Akers (27-32 FG, 41-42 XP), who was named to the third Pro Bowl of his career last season. Punter Dirk Johnson (42.1 avg.) could miss the start of the season following sports hernia surgery, meaning Colorado alumnus Mark Mariscal could see his first pro action in September. With J.R. Reed (23.1 kickoff return avg.) out of the equation, kickoff returns are expected to be handled by Roderick Hood (22.4 avg.) and/or Reno Mahe (14.7 kickoff return avg., 5.7 punt return avg.). Dexter Wynn (10.8 avg.) was solid on punt returns in 2004, and should reassume that role.

PROGNOSIS: On paper, there is little doubt that the Philadelphia Eagles will be Super Bowl contenders again in 2005. Most of the team's talented core remains intact, as does the coaching staff, a couple of key pieces were added via the draft, and a couple more will return from injury. That said, chemistry will undoubtedly play a major role in the fortunes of Andy Reid's club this season. At least three vital players - Terrell Owens, Brian Westbrook, and Corey Simon - are unhappy with their contracts, a situation that could poison the vibe in the locker room and on the practice field. Owens and Donovan McNabb, who once appeared to be best of friends, now must endure the frosty relationship that was borne of Owens' negative public comments about the quarterback in the offseason. If Reid can tap into the business-like approach that has always served this team so well, the Eagles should win the division and be the odds-on favorite to take the NFC. But if any of the soap opera- style elements that have haunted this team since February persist, it might just be enough to upset the Eagles' equilibrium and send them toward a disappointing 2005.