Philadelphia Eagles 2008 Season Preview

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08/25/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After coming painfully close to earning a return trip to the playoffs in 2007, the Philadelphia Eagles wasted no time in attempting to close the gap between themselves and the NFC's elite once the 2008 season officially opened for business.

The Eagles swooped in quickly and decisively on the first day of free agency, landing playmaking cornerback Asante Samuel with a lucrative six-year, $57 million contract of which $20 million is guaranteed. The team targeted the former New England Patriot to strengthen its biggest weakness during last year's frustrating 8-8 campaign - the defense's inability to force turnovers.

Philadelphia produced an NFL-low 19 takeaways in 2007, and that paltry number could have very well been the difference between Andy Reid's troops becoming a feared Super Bowl contender instead of an also-ran. Five of the Eagles' eight losses last season were by four points or less, and the club didn't win a single contest decided by that slim amount.

Creating turnovers is an area in which Samuel excelled during his five-year tenure in New England. The 27-year-old has picked off 16 passes over the past two campaigns, including a league-best 10 during the 2006 regular season. The Eagles combined for only 11 interceptions as a team last year.

Samuel joins a young and talented defense that improved noticeably from its performance in Philadelphia's NFC East championship season of 2006, particularly against the run. Lightning-quick end Trent Cole earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after emerging into one of the game's premier sack artists, while youngsters such as defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, linebackers Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong and strong safety Quintin Mikell all made great progress in their first full years as starters.

On offense, running back Brian Westbrook led all NFL players in yards per scrimmage in an MVP-caliber display, while superstar quarterback Donovan McNabb managed to stay relatively healthy and delivered an efficient season under center in his return from major knee surgery.

That impressive nucleus returns intact for 2008, as the Eagles aim to build on a strong finish to last season. Philadelphia closed out the year with three consecutive victories, including a road triumph over a 13-win Dallas team in Week 15.

That late surge has created a renewed hope to a franchise that has taken a small step backward since reaching the Super Bowl in 2004, although that optimism was tempered somewhat by a few small distractions during the summer. Westbrook publicly announced his displeasure with his contract status in the days leading up to training camp, while Samuel's arrival didn't exactly win the approval of incumbent left corner Lito Sheppard. Then there was the mysterious scenario regarding Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews, who took a 2 1/2- week leave of absence to deal with what was believed to be a personal bout with depression.

The Eagles swiftly handled Westbrook's dilemma by rewarding him with a new three-year deal in early August, while Andrews has resumed practicing and appears on track for the regular-season opener. There's still a potential volatile situation brewing with the disgruntled Sheppard, although the two- time Pro Bowler did report to camp on time.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2008 edition of the Philadelphia Eagles, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2007 RECORD: 8-8 (4th, NFC East)

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2006, lost to New Orleans, 27-24, in NFC Divisional Playoff

COACH (RECORD): Andy Reid (88-56 in eight seasons with Eagles, 88-56 overall)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Marty Mornhinweg

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jim Johnson

OFFENSIVE STAR: Brian Westbrook, RB (1333 rushing yards, 90 receptions, 12 TD)

DEFENSIVE STAR: Asante Samuel, CB (44 tackles, 6 INT with New England)

OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 8th rushing, 10th passing, 17th scoring

DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 7th rushing, 18th passing, 9th scoring

KEY ADDITIONS: RB Lorenzo Booker (from Dolphins), FB/TE Kris Wilson (from Chiefs), WR DeSean Jackson (2nd Round, California), DE Chris Clemons (from Raiders), DT Trevor Laws (2nd Round, Notre Dame), DT Dan Klecko (from Colts), OLB/DE Bryan Smith (3rd Round, McNeese State), LB Rocky Boiman (from Colts), CB Asante Samuel (from Patriots)

KEY DEPARTURES: FB Thomas Tapeh (to Vikings), DE Jevon Kearse (to Titans), DT Ian Scott (released), DT LaJuan Ramsey (to 49ers), DT Kimo von Oelhoffen (released), LB Takeo Spikes (to 49ers), CB William James (to Bills), RS Reno Mahe (not tendered)

QB: When healthy, McNabb (3324 passing yards, 19 TD, 7 INT) remains among the NFL's upper echelon of quarterbacks as well as a proven leader and sound decision maker. The problem has been keeping the five-time Pro Bowl honoree on the field. McNabb has missed 15 games due to injury over the past three seasons, including two last year because of a sprained ankle and jammed thumb. Not coincidentally, the Eagles lost both those tests. The team drafted Kevin Kolb to be the signal-caller of the future in the second round of the 2007 draft, and the 24-year-old has moved past veteran A.J. Feeley (681 passing yards, 5 TD, 8 INT) on the depth chart. Feeley didn't help his cause by throwing seven picks in the two starts he subbed for McNabb last season, including four in a costly four-point home loss to Seattle in early December.

RB: While McNabb's presence is vital to the Eagles' success, one could argue that Westbrook is the team's most important player. The dynamic seventh-year pro was spectacular in 2007, rushing for a career-high 1,333 yards and easily topping all NFL running backs with 771 receiving yards on a franchise-record 90 catches. He has a capable understudy in Correll Buckhalter (313 rushing yards, 4 TD, 12 receptions), who averaged five yards per carry in spot duty last year, and Philadelphia added another potential weapon in the passing game by acquiring shifty second-year man Lorenzo Booker (125 rushing yards, 28 receptions) in a draft-day trade with Miami. Booker's inclusion has put 2007 third-round pick Tony Hunt squarely on the roster bubble. The Penn State product has been getting some camp reps at fullback, where's he's competing with former practice-squad member Jason Davis to replace the departed Thomas Tapeh.

WR/TE: This area has to be Reid's biggest concern going into the season. The Eagles seemed to be in pretty good hands at the top two wide receiver positions with Kevin Curtis (77 receptions, 1110 yards, 6 TD) and Reggie Brown (61 receptions, 4 TD), but that was before Curtis was forced to undergo sports hernia surgery in mid-August that will likely sideline the team's most productive wideout for up to two months. Brown has shown a propensity for nagging injuries during his first three NFL seasons as well. Curtis' absence could mean a lot of early-season snaps for rookie DeSean Jackson, Philly's second-round selection in April's draft. The flashy Cal product is undersized but has speed to burn, and had already stamped himself as the favorite to claim the No. 3 wideout job with an excellent preseason. Neither Jason Avant (23 receptions, 2 TD) nor Hank Baskett (16 receptions, 1 TD) made much of an impact out of the slot last season, which prompted the selection of Jackson. Veteran Greg Lewis (13 receptions, 3 TD), a Reid favorite and good special- teamer, looked to be in a fight for a roster spot but has had his cause aided with Curtis' situation. Tight end L.J. Smith had a career-low 22 catches during an injury-filled 2007, but was brought back on a one-year deal. A return to form could help eliminate the red-zone bog-downs that often plagued the offense last season. Brent Celek (16 receptions, 1 TD) showed promise as a rookie and will work as the second-stringer, with Kansas City import Kris Wilson (24 receptions, 1 TD) fighting holdover Matt Schobel (11 receptions, 1 TD) to stick as the third tight end.

OL: The Eagles have fielded one of the league's better front walls in recent years, and all five starters remain intact for a third straight season. The unit is headed by Andrews, whose road-grading ability at right guard paved the way for Westbrook's tremendous production. Center Jamaal Jackson also excels as a run blocker, while left guard Todd Herremans is an athletic and versatile performer who can also help out at tackle. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan have been to a combined four Pro Bowls and served as McNabb's chief protectors for seemingly forever, but the two tackles will be 34 and 35, respectively, in November and saw their play slip a bit in 2007. Philadelphia allowed an unhealthy 49 sacks last season, 21 more than the previous year. Depth is a concern, although massive guard Max Jean-Gilles has acquitted himself well in spot duty, a reason why Reid took three linemen -- guards Mike McGlynn (4th round) and Mike Gibson (6th) and tackle King Dunlap (7th) -- in this year's draft. Nick Cole returns as the backup center and key special-teamer, while third-year pro Winston Justice, who struggled mightily when filling in for an injured Thomas last year, remains the top backup at tackle.

DL: In the relentless Trent Cole (70 tackles, 12.5 sacks), Bunkley (31 tackles, 3 sacks) and Mike Patterson, the Eagles have developed three cornerstone players on the defensive line that all enter the season 25 years old or younger. Patterson was one of the league's most active tackles last year, with the former first-round pick compiling an impressive 67 stops along with four sacks. After letting the disappointing Jevon Kearse go in the offseason, Philadelphia had designs on handing the starting left end job to second-year man Victor Abiamiri, but the promising youngster fractured his left wrist in training camp and could land on injured reserve. That spot will likely be manned by Juqua Parker (39 tackles, 5 sacks), who started seven games last year after beating out Kearse in midseason. He'll be spelled by free-agent pickup Chris Clemons (20 tackles), who tallied eight sacks as a situational rusher in Oakland. Philadelphia also drafted quick but undersized end Bryan Smith in the draft's third round, and defensive coordinator Jim Johnson also has ninth-year vet Darren Howard (8 tackles, 1 sack) at his disposal. The team also nabbed Notre Dame star Trevor Laws in the second round back in April, and he'll be part of a tackle rotation that may also include ex-Colts Dan Klecko (6 tackles, 1 sack) and Montae Reagor. Abiamiri's injury could open up a spot for 2003 first-round bust Jerome McDougle, who's made a case with an encouraging preseason.

LB: The Eagles will suit up one of the youngest linebacking groups in the league, although it's a unit that's not short on potential. Philly released two-time Pro Bowler Takeo Spikes in the spring due to the emergence of Gaither (102 tackles, 1 sack, 8 PD) and second-year pro Stewart Bradley (18 tackles, 1 sack), who is slated to man the middle with Gaither shifting to Spikes' slot on the weakside. Gocong (66 tackles, 1 sack), a former small-college defensive end, proved to be sturdy against the run in his first taste as a starter. To add experienced depth and bolster the special teams, the team brought in Rocky Boiman (55 tackles, 2 INT) from Indianapolis via free agency. He'll comprise the reserve corps along with the speedy Akeem Jordan (20 tackles) and rookie sixth-round pick Joe Mays.

DB: The addition of Samuel (44 tackles, 6 INT, 18 PD) may not have made Sheppard a happy camper, but it gives Philadelphia three quality cornerbacks that can match up well against opposing multiple-receiver sets. Reliable Sheldon Brown (68 tackles, 3 INT, 14 PD) is expected to retain his starting role at right cornerback but will move to the slot in nickel packages, with Sheppard (51 tackles, 2 INT) taking over on that side. The Eagles' dearth of big plays in the secondary could also be solved if aging free safety Brian Dawkins (37 tackles, 1 INT) can have a bounce-back year. The emotional six- time Pro Bowler will be 35 in October, however, and missed six games last season with a neck stinger and sprained foot. With Dawkins in the final year of his contract, the club drafted his possible heir apparent in UTEP's Quintin Demps (4th round) in April. At strong safety, Mikell (74 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack) took over for injured regular Sean Considine (35 tackles, 1 INT) at midseason and seized the opportunity, displaying very good range and strong run-stopping ability. Returnee Joselio Hanson (52 tackles, 1 sack) and special-teams stalwart Nick Graham (11 tackles) figure to round out the cornerback contingent.

SPECIAL TEAMS: This important area was a sore spot for Philadelphia all season long in 2007. The Eagles lacked explosiveness in the return game, which is why the club brought in Booker to handle kicks and the dangerous DeSean Jackson to run back punts. Demps, who ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at last February's Scouting Combine, may help out in those areas as well. The coverage units were nothing to write home about either, which triggered the signing of Boiman. The Eagles also endured a surprisingly poor season from kicker David Akers, who hit on just 2-of-10 field goal tries from beyond 40 yards and appears to be in decline. Former Australian rules football player Sav Rocca showed a booming leg on punts, but is still a work in progress in the areas of touch and accuracy. The team has been pleased with the work of long snapper Jon Dorenbos, signing him to a five-year extension at last season's end.

PROGNOSIS: The Eagles underachieved last season because of critical breakdowns in all three areas of the game. The offense was often inefficient within the red zone, the defense was repeatedly unable to produce big plays and the special teams were clearly below average. It also may have been Reid's worst coaching job, with his well-publicized family problems possibly taking their toll on the usually even-keeled sideline boss. Philadelphia has done well to address its shortcomings during the offseason, however, and the fine-tuning could very well lead to bigger and better things in 2008. The Eagles are strong across both lines, boast one of the league's best game-breakers in Westbrook, and field an up-and-coming defense capable of wreaking havoc. The schedule appears quite manageable as well, save for the games within the rugged NFC East. Philadelphia hasn't missed the postseason in back-to-back years since Reid took over in 1999, and look for that trend to continue this season. However, if the brittle McNabb is bitten by the injury bug once again, then all bets are off.