Welcome to the offseason Eagles Fans. :/

We had a great year running up an 11-5 record, but unfortunately we rung up a string of injuries and our 6 game winning streak going into week 17 couldn’t hold up to a scarily healthy Cowboy’s team  (Not a one on IR, seriously?)then or again on Sunday in the Wild Card round.

I want to review the three phases of our team based on what happened this year and what we should do this offseason. Starting off after the jump with the phase that needs the most improvement, our defense.

First, Let’s review our Defense.

With the loss of JJ(RIP) and BDawk, our defense was forced to find a new identity this year under Sean McDermott.  We had a hell of a time all year dealing with injuries focused at the linebacker position. Finding a replacement for Dawkins proved unsuccessful.  Midseason acquisition of Witherspoon was a good move and having him locked up for a long time is quite advantageous. Our linebacking core next year looks to be Spoon, Bradley, and Jordan with backups White, Gocong, Fokou, and Mays.  This is all dependent on Bradleys recovery from his ACL tear. This generally takes  more than a year and with the poor play from the seven or so guys who stepped in at Mike after Bradley, not one showed enough there to take the spot. This offseason we need to find a stopgap for the Mike position, or if progress is bad enough on Bradley’s knee, a replacement altogether. Our run defense truly suffered this year, while still being in the top half of the league; it was far below the quality run defense we have seen the last two years.  Trotter will go back into retirement.  And Joe Mays, after having a very special preseason last year looked lost all year long.  The OLB positions have a ton of talent lurking in Jordan, Spoon, Fokou, White, and Gocong. Jordan and Spoon are pure ballers. White made a lot of big plays this year when he was on the field, going full motor all the time. Gocong has proven to be stout in run defense, while poor against the pass. Fokou has shown he has talent, but reminds me of Demps, making a lot of stupid penalties.

Our defensive backs lost Dawkins this year, and the hole there was obvious. None of the three competitors there made a case that they should be back next year.  All took bad angles tackling, were questionable against the pass, and made stupid penalties. Mikell went from All-Pro to mediocre.  Asante and Sheldon are top notch, possibly the best tandem in the league. The nickel position this year I lost some faith as Joselio got picked on extensively after he came back from his suspension. This was very evident in the beginning of both Cowboys games.  He simply cannot perform that way in the nickel and continue to earn the starter money we are paying him.  Patterson played well and from what I could tell, outplayed Hanson.

Defensive Line. Same story, different year.  Trent cole is a superstar. Bunkley and Patterson can stop the run but don’t get pressure to the QB on first and second down. Trevor Laws is a legitimate bust after losing his job to UFA Dixon. Parker had an up year, but was consistently shut down by good right tackles. The rest of the rotating DE position was mostly invisible this year.   As has been stated very often, a bookend opposite Cole will bring much greater success to this team.

Offseason Adjustments: MLB, DE, FS, young talent at CB, SS. In that order.

We have a ton of exciting talent on offense.  This season we saw our offense put up more points (429) than an Eagles team ever has.  With great receivers Jackson, Maclin, Celek, and Avant, receiving many passes from McNabb, this was primarily a passing offense.  Our running game was overall very weak with our former cornerstone, Westbrook quickly fading into obsolescence. Second round draft pick Shady Mccoy was serviceable, and quite good receiving out of the backfield with 40 catches on the year. But he struggled hitting holes sometimes waiting too long for a big play to develop.  Weaver ran and received very well out of the fullback position but when used as primary back in games later in the season his YPC dipped severely.  As we look to holes on this side of the ball we can see that our running game was weak, not showcasing a single 100 yard rusher on the year and that our line was talented, but injured. If we can find a stud running back we will be able to sustain more drives, allowing for more opportunities to bomb it to Desean, and keeping our defense off the field longer. Third and short improved from last year, which isn’t saying much. I still want to see us get better there.  

Jackson’s injury will keep him out most of next year, and he may never be the same again. Cole did not adequately fill the position. Finding a new center is key to success next year.  If he is the starter I am confident he will improve over his end of the year performance as most of the Center position is Line QB. Cole is a quality blocker, evidenced by his play at RG this year.  If we choose to stay with him I am sure Juan and Jackson will show him the ropes.  Stacy Andrews has one more year to show us why we paid him a ton of money after an injury. Shawn Andrews career is over.  MJG is no good. The rest of the line was a surprise success despite heavy injury.  Depth at the tackle position must be addressed as Dunlap is doing his best huge man who cant block stunt.

Jackson is the flash stretching defenses to the limit. Maclin was and will be amazing next year; he is a truly great talent. Avant can snag anything. (I assume we resign him). Curtis after two injury filled years appears to be done as an Eagle with a 5M price tag next year.  Reggie Brown gives us a nice reminder of just how bad our receivers used to be, never making a clutch grab.  Unfortunately, due to monetary reasons he will stick around.  Celek is a stud. Alex Smith is replaceable, but a good fit for the money. Ingram most likely doesn’t have the knee to stick in the NFL. A backup TE may be in draft order, but probably not until the 6th round.

Quarterback. Mcnabb found the deep threat he always wanted in Jackson two years ago and they tied an NFL record this year with long touchdowns.  McNabb has a year left under contract, and barring a desperate team offering two first round picks, I do not see that changing. Kolb filled in admirably for his two starts this year setting an NFL record with two 300yd passing games in his first two starts. Vick was our running qb complement who passed a few times. His stats this year weren’t spectacular. (They were downright awful until the Atlanta game) Hopefully we can squeeze a third out of someone for Vick this offseason.  Which would be great with me, buying a 3rd round pick for a PR hit is highway robbery.  This year we will see who the Eagles extend, be it Kolb or Mcnabb.  With both of their contracts up in 2010 well know soon enough. From my point of view, I think we should extend Mcnabb. Kolb’s arm just makes me feel like he will be a turnover machine. The browns and ravens games last year make me sick just thinking about it. Now, not to say that I’ll be outraged if he is our starter at some point. His touch is good and he can lead receivers. I do believe that MacJack would get significantly improved YAC with Kolb, I just don’t see us being a better team with Kolb at the helm right now.

Offseason Adjustments: Resign Weaver, C, RB, Resign Avant, G, TE, T depth, QB

Special Teams.

Akers. A Desean. A Dorenbos A. (Didn’t hear his name all season, so he’s doing a great job.)

Kick Returner. C. This continues to elude Reid. Everyone he put back there was fumble prone. Hobbs could at least hit a hole. Demps was average at best. Macho was downright awful.

Offseason Adjustments: Find someone who can return kickoffs. Andy, if you get Cribbs I will never doubt you again.

Keeping in mind Andy's love of the lines, but tendency for securing value, vote on the poll for where you think that the 24th overall pick will go.