Eagles are close but no playoffs this year

First I'd like to say that the Eagles are very close to being a good team.  They have had leads in the fourth quarter in all but one of their loses.  But of course they have blown them. 

The defense is right there but needs to tighten things up.  The secondary is young with two second year safties and a new CB who is still learning this system.  The LB are very young, but do show some potential.  Juan said he wants to be like the Bears defense.  Well I'm hoping that he got a good look at what a few good LB will do for a defensive system.  The Eagles NEED a good LB drafted this coming draft.  Not someone who was a DE in college and will move to LB, but a true LB.  Get him in there right away so he can learn the system and be ready to go from game one.  That will make the LB better all around.  I like Rolle, where he is at, small fireball that isn't afraid to hit anyone.  Chaney is good too and can play any of the LB spots.  The DL I like but they need to play the run better while getting to the QB.  Babin is terrible at this.  He is all out 100% of the time but doesn't care at all about the run.  He is so easy to take out of the running play. 

On offense we have all the pieces in place for the most part.  Vick needs to tighten things up a bit and Jackson needs to get on track.  I like how the TE's are contributing.  Shady is unstoppable!  The one thing I would like is for the OL to get nastier.  They play soft it seems unless we're going against NFC East opponents.  Last night against the Bears they got their butts handed to them.  They were getting pushed back all night long, or let too many free blitzers.

Special teams I'd like someone more consistent instead of Jackson returning punts.  He always tries for the big one, which is fine, I like that.  But he too often runs back 5 - 10 yards to try to get around the corner.....that I'm not fine with.  Too many times he is stopped for a lose.  I'd rather have him call a fair catch or just get the 4 yard return.  Our kicker, Henery, I'm not sure what to think about him.  I've heard great things about him at Nebraska, but to me he looks like he's in over his head.  I don't see that strong leg that everyone was talking about at draft time.  And his accuracy is iffy right now.  But I know that happens with rookies kickers.  Chas the punter, I like, but I think he needs to just get more length on his punts which I also think will come with time. 

So with a year in the system I think a lot of these issues will be resolved.  The defensive secondary will be a year older and in the system a year longer.  The offensive line is learning a new system and next year they will be more comfortable and in turn I think playing faster and meaner because they won't have to think as much.  As for the kicking game another year = more experience. So lets hope that after this season and after a full offseason the Eagles can get a lot of these little things (I do think a lot of these things are easy little fixes) fixed and turned around.

Lets hope they can finish this season strong and on a high note and go full steam into next season!!