NFL Rankings.....Week 5

While the #2 Giants obliterated another opponent, the #1 Saints rested up on a bye week. Expect them to use that break and their considerable talents to prove their ranking in their head-to-head match-up this week. The Colts continued their upward ascension despite injuries. The Vikings look to have all the ingredients, as long as Favre stays healthy. Three lopsided wins out of four games suggest that the Eagles will be force and a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They have a plethora of weapons that have been able to overcome both penalties and the Wildcat. Josh McDaniels is making head coaching look easy, taking down his mentor most recently.

1. Saints (4-0)-Still clicking on all cylinders, rested and ready for the Giants
2. Giants (5-0)-Good a crushing lesser opponents, but need to prove vs Saints
3. Colts (5-0)-Defense playing beyond expectations even with injuries
4. Vikings (5-0)-Favre love fest continues, good as long a he stays healthy
5. Eagles (3-1)-3 large margin victories despite Wildcat and penalties
6. Broncos (5-0)- Beating Pats proves that are officially for real
7. Bengals (4-1)- Proving themselves to be legit with another big win against Ravens
8. Falcons (3-1)-Destruction of Niners has team feeling good about itself
9. Patriots (3-2)-Playoff team, but definitely no longer a powerhouse
10. Ravens (3-2)-Two last minute losses and refs have team reeling
11. Steelers (3-2)-Still miss Pal, not the same team that won Super Bowl
12. Jets (3-2)-Defense faltered, but next two games should get them back on track
13. 49ers (3-2)- Brought back to earth by Falcons, Singletary will have them rebounding
14. Bears (3-1)-Better than expected, though pass defense could be trouble
15. Cowboys(2-2)-Yeh, baby, could they have a found a replacement for TO in OT?

NFL Power Rankings- Top 15 Week 4

Five teams remain undefeated heading into week 5 of the NFL season. The Saints relied on their own defense to win the showdown between the Saints top rated offense and the Jets tough defense. The Colts seem to be getting better each week. After coming away with an unlikely win against the 49ers a week earlier, the Jared Allen led Vikings defense terrorized the Packers to win the Brett Favre Revenge Bowl. The Broncos victory over the Cowboys is starting to convince people they are for real. The Patriots and Steelers are looking more like previous year's teams after spotty play at the outset.

The Eagles have dominated in weeks 1 and 3, which seems more indicative of their capabilities. They trail the Giants, who have gotten off to strong start, but the injury to Eli Manning bears watching. He has the type of injury that can be persistent and David Carr's past performance suggests that they can not afford to lose Manning for any stretch of time. At this point, it is hard to judge he Cowboys as they are up and down. They will continue to waiver as long as Romo remains in his funk, which may be difficult to shake since a large part of it traces to confidence.

Teams that I expect to rise in the rankings include the Eagles, Steelers, Patriots and Chargers. Teams that may fall a little in the rankings are the Vikings, 49ers, Bears and Bengals. Here is where they are after Week 4:

1. Saints (4-0)-Defense getting better each week, more than enough for Brees
2. Giants (4-0)-Cruising against weaker teams, but Eli injury worrisome
3. Colts (4-0)-Team has made transition with new coaching staff
4. Vikings (4-0)-Dominated on defense, but still had to hang on to win
5. Eagles (2-1)-Top team with return of McNabb and Westbrook
6. Jets (3-1)-No disgrace in losing to Saints, but Sanchez looked like a rookie
7. Broncos (4-0)- Suffocating defense has doubters believing
8. Patriots (3-1)-Big win against Ravens, but not dominant like 2007
9. Ravens (3-1)-Should rebound after near miss against Pats
10. Steelers (2-2)-Trouble closing after strong starts is becoming pattern
11. 49ers (3-1)- Demolition of Rams shows team's balance
12. Bengals (3-1)- Had to rally to beat lowly Browns
13. Falcons (2-1)-Pushed down by other teams moving up
14. Bears (3-1)-Better than expected, though pass defense could be trouble
15. Chargers (2-2)-Strong finish couldn't overcome poor first 3 quarters

NFL Power Rankings- Top 15 Week 3

Several teams remained undefeated and looked good in so doing. Our top two ranked teams face off against each other this week, after turning in strong performances again last week. The Giants defense totally dominated the Bucs and may have a similar performance this week in KC. The Ravens and Colts are winning backwards from past practices, with offense and defense, respectively, taking the lead. The Eagles rebounded from their horrible home opener against the Saints and look poised to be a force after their break. The 49ers should have beaten the Vikings, but fell short on Brett Favre's unlikely last second touchdown pass. It looks like Brian Dawkins has helped instill a winning attitude in Denver. Overall, many teams have the ability to emerge as the season rolls on, but the balance of power may be shifting to the NFC. Future weeks should feature more NFC teams in the top 15 and at the top of the rankings. Here are the rankings after week 3:

1. Saints (3-0)-Defense exceeding expectations, offense to be tested by Jets
2. Jets (3-0)-Big test for defense against NFL's top offense this week
3. Giants (3-0)-Defense trying to keep up with the other NY team
4. Ravens (3-0)-Running trio and Flacco making offense worthy of defense
5. Colts (3-0)-Manning heating up with new mates, defense playing well
6. Vikings (3-0)-Undefeated on a wing and a prayer, but upset in waiting?
7. Eagles (2-1)-Dominated lowly Chiefs, regrouping for run after bye
8. 49ers (2-1)- Lost a heartbreaker in Minnesota, but looking legit
9. Broncos (3-0)- Surprising defense has them atop AFC West
10. Cowboys (2-1)-Rounding into shape for a 3 team NFC East race
11. Chargers (2-1)-Solid team, but still not firing on all cylinders
12. Patriots (2-1)-Looked better against Falcons, but not a powerhouse
13. Falcons (2-1)-Disappointing game against Pats, but extra week to rebound
14. Bengals (2-1)- Win over Steelers may have proven them to be for real
15. Steelers (1-2)-Missing Pal, Super Bowl hangover could continue Sunday

Kolb Shows What Reid Sees in Eagles Easy Win

The Eagles raced to an early lead yesterday and maintained clear control of the game throughout the day, soundly defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 34-14. The score makes the game seem much closer than it really was, as the Chiefs were aided by Jeff Garcia's fumbled snap in mop up duty. The Eagles dominated on both sides of the ball and Kevin Kolb demonstrated what Andy Reid has liked about him.

Kolb threw early and often, carving up the Chiefs defense for 327 yards and 2 long touchdowns. He also eliminated the deadly turnovers which have plagued him in other performances. Overall, Kolb looked poised, confident and completed more than 70% of his passes. He also displayed the requisite NFL arm strength and some nice touch.

All of this needs to be tempered a bit by the fact that Kolb was virtually under no pressure all day long thanks to his offensive line and the Chiefs lack of pass rush. He is also coming off previous appearances where he turned the ball over when opponents limited his time and showed more complexity. Of course, all aspiring young quarterbacks go through the "school of hard knocks" as they develop, especially when jumping into the fire against a top flight defense such as the Ravens.

The Eagles defense returned to form, looking a lot more like the week 1 version than last week's edition. The Chiefs seemed resigned to the fact that they would not have the time to get the ball down the field, so running and short passing would be the only real way to move the ball without risking the health of Matt Cassel or turnovers. It seemed obvious all day that they were never going to mount a serious threat to win the game. Their only touchdown came late in the game after Garcia fumbled his first snap deep in his own territory.

With Brian Westbrook de-activated due to an ankle sprain, rookie LeSean McCoy filled in nicely, racking up 84 yards and his first NFL touchdown. Additionally, DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek each broke the 100-yard mark receiving and scored on long passes. These three, along with Kolb, provided a window into the future and a great deal of optimism about their ability to make big contributions as needed. Of course, Kolb and McCoy are clearly back-ups at this point, but it is comforting to know that they will be able to step in and perform well if needed.

The other major story line in the game was Michael Vick's return to the NFL. He participated in 11 plays, mostly designed to run, with very little productivity- unless the team opts for a nostalgic "2.7 yards and cloud of dust" offense. The Chiefs appeared to have little trouble defending the Vick Wildcat, and the best that can be said for it was that Kolb and the Eagles found a way to overcome it. The Eagles either need to get much better at designing or executing on it, or greatly curtail it, as they will not be able to waste plays as they face better teams.

Yesterday's win runs the Eagles record to 2-1 and puts them back on track. The early bye week turns out to be a blessing as it should allow McNabb, Westbrook and Kevin Curtis to avoid missing another game and risking further injury. Additionally, Jackson will have time for his groin to heal and would be well advised to avoid the Dancing with the Stars acrobatics and splits that he displayed after his touchdown catch.

NFL Power Rankings- Top 15 Week 2

Either we provided the jinx or had some teams over-rated as our top three and six of our top eight teams all lost in week 2. Additionally, a few other teams made a case to move into the top 15 spots. The Colts, Broncos and 49ers all ran their records to 2-0, while the Cardinals and Bills got untracked after disappointing week 1 losses. The Saints continue to demonstrate that they have the most dynamic offense in football rolling up 93 points in the first two games. After a strong season opening effort, our home town Eagles team took a hard fall. Big wins last Sunday included the Rex Ryan led Jets taking down the arch rival Pats, the Ravens outlasting the Chargers and the Giants spoiling Jerry Jones' attendance record setting, stadium unveiling Cowboys team.

Here are the greatly jumbled up rankings:

1. Saints (2-0)-Unstoppable offense + improving defense = contender
2. Jets (2-0)-Big win against Pats has their confidence soaring
3. Vikings (2-0)-Same story-have ingredients if Favre can stay healthy
4. Giants (2-0)-Pulled out see saw battle at Dallas, Eli looked good
5. Ravens (2-0)-Winning with offense rather than trademark defense
6. Colts (2-0)-Manning gives them a chance to win any week
7. Falcons (2-0)-Led by rising star Ryan, but won't sneak up on anybody in '09
8. Steelers (1-1)-Anemic offense
9. Patriots (1-1)-Chinks in the armor? Lucky to have one win
10. Eagles (1-1)-Outplayed in every phase by Saints
11. Chargers (1-1)-Tomlinson injured again and defense struggling
12. Cowboys (1-1)-Jones coming out party with Barber out, Romo ?'s
13. 49ers (2-0)- Could they be for real?
14. Broncos (2-0)- Flukey win followed by strong outing against Browns
15. Cardinals (1-1)-Offense came alive versus Jacksonville

Eagles Should Focus on Offensive Basics to Reach Ultimate Goal

It seems pretty clear that the Eagles have made a major commitment towards becoming perhaps the most gimmicky offense in the NFL. They signed Michael Vick, and even with him still sidelined by suspension, they ran 9 Wildcat formations last Sunday against the Saints. Only Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg know what might be in store for us this week with Vick being activated to play.

While coaches have obviously spent considerable time drawing up trick plays in the dirt, a compelling argument can be made that they should be focusing on sharpening up on the basics of an already somewhat unconventional offense. The Eagles are one of a handful of teams that passes more than 60% of the time. This has proven effective for them as they have been a top scoring team, but it does require precision and doesn't need to be complicated further by an array of trick plays.

The Eagles have always added some "wrinkles" to their offense. Mornhinweg indicated in an interview yesterday that Reid's philosophy has been to infuse approximately four to six "special" plays each game into the regular offense. This year, he appears to be doubling down on that philosophy.

So, what's the rub here? A handful of "special plays" have been part of the Eagles typically high scoring offense for years. Besides being entertaining and sometimes explosive, these plays maintain an element of surprise that defenders need to account for as they interpret what is unfolding in front of them, on those gadget plays as well as others. Part of the value of these plays comes from forcing the opponents to watch for it at anytime.

Conversely, the Wildcat formations scream "trick play!" It does not present a variation or twist off of a more normal formation, so the defense does not have to be watching for it when the Eagles line up in their conventional formations.

Another byproduct of the Wildcat formation is that it appears to put players in positions for which they are not physically or experientially equipped, which introduces a much higher probability of someone getting hurt. Last week, DeSean Jackson aggravated a groin injury on a Wildcat formation. It stands to reason that placing smallish receivers in vulnerable positions will eventually result in wear and tear, as well as injury. It also stands to reason that a quarterback is going to be taken out as they are asked to play another position not so well protected by NFL rules.

It is even a little scary seeing Brian Westbrook alone in the backfield taking a direct snap. Everyone would agree that he is instrumental to the team's fortunes in 2009, so wouldn't it make more sense to protect his ailing body as much as possible? Perhaps the team is willing to take the risk of using Vick in more vulnerable formations because they have two other quarterbacks behind Donovan McNabb?

Another argument against the Wildcat relates to the increasing frequency that it is being used around the league. That is taken to another level, when one team increases its own frequency of use. Surely, the uniqueness and element of surprise diminishes, and ultimately the effectiveness. This being true, it begs to ask the question why would you invest in something that know will have declining value?

This leads me to a related question. Wouldn't it be better to invest your time, energy, mental resources and practice repetitions working on parts of the game that will be instrumental and necessary to reach your goal? All games are important in a short NFL season, but the ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl.

Perhaps the best argument against gratuitous use of the Wildcat can be summed up in two words- Buddy Ryan. He was a defensive genius as well as an entertaining and somewhat successful coach. But his teams never fulfilled the promise provided by his dynamic defense or talent on the team.

The main reason for this was that Ryan attempted to compliment the dominating defense with an offense that was "hit or miss." It was not built on precision or excellence in execution, but rather the chance that playmaker Randall Cunningham would somehow break a run or throw a touchdown on a fire drill type of play.

By the time the playoffs rolled around, the Eagles had nothing in their offense to count on. Invariably, the opponents would develop a game plan to a account for Cunningham, reduce the probability of those happen chance plays and ultimately send the Eagles to another disappointing playoff loss. And, importantly, the Eagles offensive squad had no confidence or conviction when they took the field that they had a proven scheme and formula for success.

The 2009 Eagles would be wise to consider how they might be creating a similar scenario with their infatuation with the Wildcat formation and gimmick plays. When the season is on the line each week in the big games at the end of the year, even if the trick plays got them a couple cheap scores or higher than average yardage earlier in the year, what will they draw upon to win games when both sides have equal intensity and laser-like focus? History suggests that gadget plays don't get it done in those times. What has been successful, though, is a mindset of the players that exudes confidence that if they execute on what they do best, they will win.

Brees' Saints Breeze Past Mistake Prone Eagles

Just as last week, it was hard to tell where the Eagles performance started and the opponents performance ended. Unlike last week, it was the opposite scenario with Eagles fans wondering if their team was that bad or the Saints are simply that good after the 48-22 drubbing.

The Eagles failed yesterday in all three phases of the game, but were especially bad on special teams. The main culprits were Ellis Hobbs's costly fumble to open the second half as well as some shanked punts and multiple penalties that negatively affected field position all day long. It was going to be a difficult match-up anyway to contain the Saints high powered offense and take advantage of their somewhat vulnerable defense with an inexperienced QB behind center, so it was particularly damaging to have the special teams unit turn in a dismal performance.

Drew Brees wasted no time as he drove the Saints the length of the field with relative ease for a touchdown on the opening drive. Eagles faithful were hoping that after a few adjustments and shedding opening drive jitters, the defense would reverse course similar to a week ago. Unfortunately, the big pass rushing, turnover creating defense never appeared yesterday. Outside of some brief resistance in the second quarter, Brees and the Saints pretty much breezed all day.

Although they surely did not need help, Hobbs' fumble and Kevin Kolb's subsequent interception on the next possession meant the Saints only had to go a total of 46 yards to score 14 points. They barely had to break a sweat, taking only 7 plays to widen their lead to 31-13 and put the Eagles in a catch-up mode that was surely not going to bode well for them.

Kolb had some good moments throughout the day, completing over 60% of his passes, including 2 TD's and racking up 391 yards through the air. The highlight for the day was his 71 yard touchdown strike to a wide open DeSean Jackson on the Eagles first drive. Unfortunately, this performance was marred by three completions to the team in gold and black. The first two interceptions were similar mistakes to those that have haunted him in past outings, namely ill advised throws where he did not see the coverage underneath. And, like the Ravens game last season, the second one turned an attempted scoring pass into a long defensive return for a touchdown. His third interception was meaningless and closed the lopsided game, but it really had no chance as it was badly under thrown.

Besides Kolb, many of the Eagles offensive players played well, if that is possible in a 26 point route? Brent Celek and Jackson continued to look like stars in the making. The line provided time for Kolb to throw, Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy looked good and Jason Avant made several nice catches working the middle of the field, including a touchdown.

One other aspect of the offense that was unappealing is the team's apparent infatuation with gadget plays. On the day, they ran nine "Wildcat" formations, including one with a three man line. Although these "creative" plays bring back memories of those back yard touch football games and might make the highlights on ESPN Sports Center, they do not seem like a recipe for a NFL championship team and would seem to be unnecessarily flirting with injury.

Flanking out QBs and putting slightly built receivers in exposed positions could very well end up with those players lying prone on the football field. It surely does not help the team develop rhythm or the air of confidence to execute in crunch time.

Perhaps the coaches felt they needed to resort to gadgetry to help out Kolb, but the suspicion is that we will see a lot more of this, especially now that the team needs to justify signing Michael Vick. Although they mostly did OK on those plays yesterday, this does not feel like a winning formula from this vantage point.

Another thought that went through my mind yesterday watching the defense was whether the dramatic reversal in performance relates to losing Brian Dawkins' leadership presence? Somehow you can imagine him forcefully reminding his teammates not to get too enamored with their performance against the Panthers and that it was not going to be that easy going forward, especially against the Saints. Who would be filling that role on this year's team?

Very few can tell which way the Eagles head from here. Is it the Dr Jekyll from week 1 or the Mr Hyde from week 2? What a difference a week makes. Lets hope that the Special Teams unit tightens up over the week, the defense summons their Buddy Ryan spirit again and the offense dumbs things down a little to focus on flawless execution. If so, the Eagles could slip by a weaker Chiefs team, heal Donovan's broken ribs over the bye week and come back ready to fulfill its promise in week 5.

NFL Office Needs to Re-Examine Its Priorities and Logic

The National Football League has been wildly popular, a tremendous success story and the model for professional sports in many ways. That being said, the executives who run the league continue to have skewed priorities and counter intuitive thinking.

Over the years, the NFL has paid particular attention to ensure that their players wear uniforms with robotic precision, teams meticulously update injury reports to keep gamblers in the know and, heaven forbid, they drive any show of elation or fun to the confines of closed locker rooms. (Well, unless you are a Green Bay Packers player, which gives you license to jump into the stands and table dance with your fans after each and every touchdown while your team song pumps through the stadium loudspeakers.) Conversely, the NFL seems to have difficulty with the concept of protecting the safety of its players. A few recent events and NFL office rulings highlight their paradoxical approach.

On Sunday, the Eagles Donovan McNabb scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown run to extend the team's lead to 38-10, but his rib was broken when the Panthers 301 pound lineman Damione Lewis drilled him in the back at the end of the play. Not only was he already on the ground at the time, but he was also 3 yards into the end zone. Anyone familiar with NFL rules, including extra large sized 9-year veteran defensive tackles, knows that the nanosecond that a player crosses the goal line with the ball it is a touchdown.

A penalty was not assessed and the NFL office (relying specifically on head of officiating Merton Hanks) ruled that the hit was legal, no penalty should have been charged and no fines were in order. Perhaps Mr. Hanks needs to familiarize himself with the rule book as the play was dead on two counts with McNabb on the ground and well into the end zone. It also contradicts the league's longstanding desire to protect its signal callers. To add insult to injury, this same Panthers' team used a similar play to put McNabb out of the NFC Championship game a few years ago and help them advance to the Super Bowl- and did not get penalized or fined then, either.

While the NFL saw nothing wrong with a defender gratuitously breaking a marquee quarterback's ribs, they took strong objection to the Eagles touchdown celebration that took place an hour earlier in ironically the same spot. It was deemed to be a particularly heinous display of joy apparently due to the players' circular formation that smacked of premeditation. For their deeds, Eagles players were levied fines up to $10,000 apiece and $60,000 in total.

Speaking of fines and injuries, the NFL has just announced that it is fining the New York Jets, their GM and last year's since departed coach a total of $125,000 for not properly divulging Brett Favre's torn bicep injury last season. Of course, if they had, wouldn't that have put a large bulls-eye on Favre's arm for opposing team's 301 pound linemen?

Philadelphia Eagles 2009-2010 Forecast

After a surprising late season turnaround, last year's Philadelphia Eagles team made another run to the NFC Championship game. Unfortunately, their season ended with a disappointing loss to the red hot Arizona Cardinals. Although this would have been an unforeseen possibility a couple months earlier, most expected the Eagles to emerge from that game victorious to make their second Super Bowl appearance in the Andy Reid/Donovan McNabb era.

The team headed into the off season with several important player decisions to make, seemingly needing to choose between "winning now" or building for a sustained future. Key players and positions in question were Donovan McNabb and quarterback; Brian Westbrook and running back; Tra Thomas, Jon Runyan and offensive tackle; Brian Dawkins and safety; and the ongoing media and fan debate about upgrading the wide receiver position. Under Jeffrey Lurie's ownership, the team has historically opted not to extend contracts of aging veterans in an effort to maintain ongoing competitiveness, but the players in question have all been leaders and cornerstones in the team's success over the past decade. With the team coming so close to realizing its goals, the organization was walking a literal tightrope.

Consensus of most pundits was that the team did a masterful job in the off season addressing these areas. By most accounts, the Eagles appeared to have covered all their needs, upgraded the talent and gotten younger in the process. Of course, that is all on paper and in people's minds, and Sunday we will see the beginning of how it actually plays out.

There are also many intangible factors that will have a large impact on the team's fortunes this year. Losing Brian Dawkins to free agency removes the spiritual leader and a huge overall presence on the team. The passing of Jim Johnson has forced the Eagles to transition the defensive coordinator role to young Sean McDermott. Johnson was widely regarded as one of the best defensive minds in football and loved by his players, so this is obviously a huge void to fill.

And, it would certainly be remiss to not mention the "wildcat" wild card, Michael Vick. The team surprised the football world by signing Vick in August after he was released from incarceration, and life around the team has not been the same since. As expected, this has gotten and continues to get a great deal of attention and scrutiny. It remains to be seen how much it has distracted the team from preparing for the upcoming season and what impact it will have on focus and chemistry going forward. A teflon coating may be in order for McNabb and Reid as quarterback debates will surely occur throughout the season.

The team is clearly not settled as it heads into the season opener in Charlotte on Sunday. The offensive line is a new cast that has been banged up and practiced very little together. The team's emerging run stuffer, middle linebacker Stewart Bradley, was lost for the season early in camp, and the back-ups have shown little
in regard to being able to replace him. Westbrook's health has continued to be a concern, especially without any seasoned veterans to step in, so the team will likely be counting heavily on rookie LeSean McCoy.

Without the aid of a crystal ball, or a peek at the medical files, here is my forecast for this year's team and the upcoming season:

Offense

The Eagles finished 9th in total offense and 6th in scoring in the NFL last season. On paper, the offense should be better and has the potential to move to the top of the rankings. McNabb continues to be one of the top ten quarterbacks in the league, and although he is sometimes criticized on his passing precision, his great strengths are that he does not turn the ball over and he makes plays. DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek appear ready to step up to the next level of performance, and will have big seasons. The presence of Vick, as well as the health of Shawn Andrews and Westbrook will be critical factors. I see McCoy and Maclin making progressively greater contributions as the season unfolds. Everything considered, I expect that both Andrews and Westbrook will be in and out of the line-up throughout the season (the former out more) and the quarterback controversies will out weigh any pick up in offensive creativity. McNabb's performance will vacillate with the level of protection that he gets upfront, so Andrews' likely frequent absences will also fuel the debates. This will result in a similar point total as last season, but wide ranging week to week offensive inconsistency. Unfortunately, the NFL does not allow teams to put points on account for future use.

Defense

The defense will not perform to last year's level due to the loss of Johnson, Dawkins and Bradley. Rookie Victor "Macho" Harris has playmaking ability and has the potential to be a good player for years to come, but he will be learning on the job this season and is nowhere near Dawkins in run support ability. Bradley made a big difference in the Eagles' emergence as a top run defense last year, so expect more vulnerability despite strong tackle play up front. Overall, the defense should fall into the league's top third, but will not approach its #3 ranking from a year ago.

Special Teams

David Akers has not been as reliable as earlier in his career, but is still solid. The team is loaded with kick and punt returners, so expect them to be one of the most explosive units in the league.

Coaching Staff

Andy Reid has proven to be in the top echelon of NFL coaches as evidenced by the team's consistent success and the cultivation of coaches under him. The questions that continue to dog him (no pun intended) relate to his ability to win the big one, namely the Super Bowl. Jim Johnson has been a large part of that success through the years. Although it may come in time, it is doubtful that McDermott will be able to mastermind and lead the defense at the same level in 2009.

Prediction

The Eagles could stumble out of the blocks due to the multiple distractions and injuries. Vick will provide some ESPN highlights, but the net effect will be negative as controversies will distract and disrupt. The offensive line will never realize its potential, especially with its top player Shawn Andrews sitting out more games than he plays. The defense will lose aggressiveness and be more vulnerable as it tries to bolster its run support.

A couple months ago, I would have predicted seeing the Eagles in the Super Bowl with a legitimate chance to win. At this point, it seems that they will compete for the division title, make the playoffs, and then it will be a crap shoot in the post season. At that time, it will all depend on how the team has weathered the controversies and who is available to play, because on paper, the Eagles can beat any team in the NFC and possibly the NFL.

Eagles 11-5
Giants 11-5
Cowboys 10-6
Redskins 8-8

Eagles 53-man Roster Watch

As the Eagles prepare for their final preseason game tomorrow night, there are still many questions to be answered. The roster itself has yet to be determined, but barring any player transactions, it would not seem that there will be any major news. Surely, several players are competing for a select few remaining spots, but it does not seem likely that the Eagles will make any really bold moves other than what has already been speculated.

One significant issue revolves around the wide receiver position. There have been reports that the team has looked into moving Reggie Brown to possibly clear a roster spot for rookie Brandon Gibson. Another significant matter will be Roger Goodell's ruling on reinstatement of Michael Vick, which will likely determine the fate of back-up AJ Feeley. This would not constitute major new news simply because it has been discussed for quite some time and Feeley himself is prepared to be traded or even waived.

Certainly, the offensive line continues to be an area of substantial concern due to the abundance of injuries and lack of player preparation. As a result, it is conceivable that the Eagles will retain more offensive linemen than what might be normally warranted, and at the expense of more talented players at other positions. Along the same lines, it is conceivable that Andy Reid will keep four QB's on the roster to allow Vick to practice while not risking being short-handed until he is cleared to play.

On the sidebar below "Blog Archive" is my stab at the Eagles 53-man roster. I believe that the team will, in fact, keep four QB's until Vick is cleared to play, and to make room, will take a chance with carrying one less offensive lineman. Also, on the defensive side, because of his upside and the investment the team has made in him, they will keep Jack Ikegwono in lieu of a 7th linebacker. It is my estimation that Brandon Gibson has done enough to make the team. Of course, injuries can always alter the final picture, but this is what makes sense to me today.

Checking In On the Michael Vick Experiment

Now that we are going on three weeks since the Eagles stunned everyone with the signing of Michael Vick, lets take a pulse on the situation. Much of the initial backlash and strong reactions have calmed, so it becomes easier to evaluate how it might all play out. We now have some more insight into key variables such as: 1) how Vick will fit into the team, 2) what the dynamics between the quarterbacks might be like, 3) how fans will approach the situation, and 4) what will be the magnitude of distraction.

As far as the on field role of Vick, we have not gained a great deal of insight, particularly since the team will not want to preview their plans in the pre-season. It does appear that the intention is to be very creative with him by varying roles and moving personnel around. This could turn out to be too cute for their own good, though, as it has the potential to disrupt continuity and transform the offense into gimmickry rather than being a consistent force. The latter tends to be a more proven Super Bowl winning formula. And, importantly, Donovan McNabb displayed some frustration with the approach in Thursday night's game.

Speaking of McNabb, signs have emerged that he may not have been as big a proponent of bringing in Vick as originally indicated. It would also appear that the task of integrating Vick has detracted from McNabb and his teammates honing the base offense.

Surely a key element will be how the fans (and the media, who influence fan opinion) handle the entire situation. In Vick's first game at The Linc, fans greeted him with warm applause and possible protests outside the stadium were minimal. Additionally, a "We want Vick" chant broke out in the 3rd quarter, accelerating forward the virtually certain quarterback controversy that will ensue this season. Football pundits Michael Irvin and Ron Jaworski (who both understand the Philadelphia atmosphere very well) have both expressed that it is inevitable.

In the post game press conference, Andy Reid exhibited stoicism and some impatience when questioned about the McNabb/Vick situation. This is just the tip of the iceberg as Reid will be challenged throughout the season much as he was last season during the McNabb debates and with the whole T.O. episode.

Lastly, you need to look no further than the national media attention that arose from Vick swilling a vodka and grapefruit at an airport hotel last week to know that the distractions will persist throughout the season. Protests will occur. Every action and reaction will be analyzed.

For the Eagles to prosper through the situation, coaches and players will need to be somewhat de-sensitized to the matter, especially Reid and McNabb. Vick will need to walk the straight and narrow. And, the team will need to figure out how to integrate Vick into the offense without disrupting the flow and diminishing the already existing great potential. Stay tuned.

I'm Just Saying......

A weekly collection of random thoughts and observations for you to consider.

• Do you think the Mets believe the Phillies are the team to beat, now?
• Can we get one of those make-overs for Ryan Franklin, Tim Redding, Shawn Andrews and the Diamondbacks' Snidely Whiplash guy?
• What exactly was Cliff Lee wearing around his neck on Monday?
• There are 10 days left to grab a few more slices of Mack and Manco pizza before the unofficial end of summer.
• The Shack's "I Think We're Alone Now" commercial along with the T-Mobile "Pour Some Sugar on Me" commercial a few years ago have that feeling of "been there, done that."
• What a shock that there are reports that the Vikings locker room is divided, or rather there is a "schism." Actually, isn't "Schism" Brett Favre's middle name?
• Every time I see Brad Penny on the mound I keep looking for Grandpa, Lilly and Eddie Munster in the stands.
• Should Michael Vick having one vodka and grapefruit make the national news?
• Speaking of Vick...Could it be a sign of his sincerity that Vick surely could have signed with a team that had a clearer path to being the starting QB?
• It would be a mistake for the Eagles not to keep rookie wide receiver Brandon Gibson, especially since he can help on special teams.
• Jon Runyan has been medically cleared and the Eagles would probably get a home town discount.
• How do you spend $1.15 billion to build a brand new, state of the art football stadium, but punted footballs hit the scoreboard? That's a little like having a big tree in the middle of your wiffle ball field....except not.

Many Unanswered Questions on the Eagles Remain

As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their third pre-season game tomorrow night against the Jacksonville Jaguars, many questions still linger regarding the team and how they will fare in the upcoming season. By most accounts, the team had a very productive off season after a run to the NFC Championship Game in January, so on paper, the Eagles appeared to be a Super Bowl contender before training camp opened.

Now that a few weeks have passed, that assessment seems a bit more tenuous as several question marks still persist, while others have arisen. The biggest concerns surround the health of the team's offensive line. After all, as the NFL coaching fraternity tends to say, everything starts up front- and this is particularly true with the pass heavy Eagles offensive approach.

Concerns are not limited to the front line, though. Obviously, several emanate from a recent team addition as an hour does not pass without a TV or news blurb on the topic. Depending on how these lingering issues unfold, the fate of the team could vary widely. As testimony to the high competitive balance in the NFL, the Eagles season could range from disappointing to conceivably competing for the Super Bowl title.

Here are some, but surely not all, of the questions surrounding the 2009-2010 edition of the Eagles:

▪ Can Stacy Andrews and Jason Peters fulfill their advance billing and measure up to the team's commitment to them? At this point, even more pressing is whether they will see the field?
▪ Will Shawn Andrews find his way back onto the field on a regular basis? If so, will he return to the Pro Bowl form of the past?
▪ Can rookies Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy make the adjustment to the NFL well enough to contribute similarly to DeSean Jackson last season? Both show flashes of wonderful potential that needs to be consistently present as the team is probably relying on their contributions more than any rookies in previous seasons in the Andy Reid era.
▪ Will Bryan Westbrook come close to the form that he showed in the 2007-2008 season, or will he be last season's part-time, limited performer?
▪ Will Michael Vick add enough to the offense to compensate for the distractions and make his signing worthwhile? On a more basic level, will he fulfill his commitment to the team in regard to conduct and behavior?
▪ Can Donovan McNabb continue where he left off in January? Will he prosper or falter through the almost inevitable quarterback controversies that will ensue?
▪ Can Joe Mays or Omar Gaither step up to fill the big hole created by MLB Stewart Bradley's season ending injury?
▪ Will a true leader emerge on the defense to fill the vacated shoes of the former Eagles icon Brian Dawkins?
▪ Will the players and coaches respond well to the Michael Vick experiment by not allowing the distractions to disrupt team chemistry or game preparation?
▪ Can the secondary come together to once again become a team strength needed to make their defensive scheme work?
▪ Can Sean McDermott come close to replacing one the NFL's best and most beloved defensive coordinators, Jim Johnson?

Tomorrow night, Reid and his coaching staff hope to gain some valuable insight and possibly gather some answers. Certainly, other questions will remain that will only be answered under the spotlight of the network cameras, when the games count in the regular season. All teams have question marks as they head into each campaign, but this Eagles team would seem to have more than its fair share, particularly considering that they are widely viewed as Super Bowl contenders.

Eagles Should Re-sign Jon Runyan Now

Watching the Eagles game Thursday night, you didn't need to see anything beyond the graphics displayed during the the team's opening offensive series to know that they have a problem. Only one member of their starting offensive line was in uniform. Missing were Todd Herremans and all three of their high profile lineman, namely Jason Peters, Shawn Andrews and Stacy Andrews.

To say that this trio is instrumental to their plans for and success in 2009 is a large understatement at best. The Eagles offense under Andy Reid has always been built on the foundation of a strong front wall that enables an unbalanced pass to run ratio. As witnessed last night, the whole offensive scheme breaks down if the QB does not have time to throw.

This leads me to my point. The Eagles need to sign Jon Runyan right now before he gets scooped up by another team. At the minimum, he would provide important insurance. Judging by the current state and previous history, though, it is likely that he would be taking a lot of snaps throughout the season.

Runyan knows the system like the back of his hand. He also lives in the Philadelphia area and would seem more inclined to consider remaining with the home town team despite not being guaranteed a starting role. Of course, he can also see the same things we do to project a great deal of playing time.

On paper, the Eagles starting offensive line has the potential to be one of their best ever as well as a top unit in the league. Unfortunately, the only thing that counts is how they actually do on the field. Getting them onto to the field is one challenge. Having them play to their potential when they get there is another. Although players tend not to highlight it, lingering injuries keep them from peak performance. Additionally, limited practice time together keeps the players from jelling as a unit, which is essential for them to function well in the complex world of the NFL.

Sign Jon Runyan before it is too late. If the Eagles need to free up some salary space to make that happen, I could make some suggestions there, too.

I'm Just Saying......

A weekly collection of random thoughts and observations for you to consider.

• How good is your team when Cole Hamels is currently your 4th best starting pitcher?
• Odds are that Brett Favre was that kid riding his bike with no hands saying "Hey, look at me!"
• Considering the current medical state of the Eagles offensive line, a better use for the recently committed $7 million in payroll might be to add John Runyan.
• Jayson Werth and Ryan Howard are officially "En Fuego" after each recording multiple hits and banging long home runs to centerfield last night. (See "Things We're Tracking" on the left for others.)
• The Phillies offense is starting to look like it deserves a moniker similar to "The Lumber Company" or "Big Red Machine" nicknames from the 70's.
• Was it just me, or did Eldra Buckley look a little like Marion Barber running that screen play?
• Last night's Donovan McNabb to DeSean Jackson 39 yard touchdown pass was perfectly executed and could be a preview of the success they will have when the games count.
• Its a little early to predict doom and gloom for the Birds' upcoming season based on their first two pre-season games.
• Joe Blanton showed mental toughness by not unraveling after a misplayed pop fly double and a hurdling, jagged bat barrel helped the Diamondbacks plate two runs in the 4th.
• Brad Lidge is throwing harder this year, didn't exactly paint the corners last year, and the last season he struggled so mightily he later discovered that he was tipping his pitches. I'm just saying....it would be worth a closer look by Rich Dubee.

Reflecting on Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

A few days have passed since the Philadelphia Eagles shocking announcement that they had signed Michael Vick to a 2009 contract with an option for 2010. Because the news was unanticipated and sudden, there was no chance to formulate thoughts on the situation prior to the story breaking. My previous thoughts on Vick re-launching his career centered on which team might take the risk to sign him, but it had not even occurred to me that the Eagles might be considering signing him.

After reflecting on the matter, observing the groundswell of reaction, reading and listening to the widely ranging opinions and watching those most closely involved, my own thoughts have started to sort out. It is safe to say that those thoughts will continue to evolve as more data becomes available when conjecture starts turning into reality- good, bad or indifferent.

It is very obvious that this business transaction and this player evoke strong reactions that skew towards opposite ends of the spectrum as opposed to a typical bell curve. For me personally, after allowing a few pages on the calendar to turn, my current mindset is not about passing judgment on Vick, but rather centers on the business decision made by the Eagles. As an unabashed animal lover, it is sometimes hard to not fixate on some of the unsavory details of the past, but this business transaction will prove itself by what happens now and in the future.

From that perspective, it is truly difficult to understand what the Eagles were thinking and how this signing makes sense? Although "gut" instincts are often key components, successful business decision making is about evaluating the pros and cons, the risks and rewards, and the magnitude of the upside and downside. So, from a purely business decision quality standpoint, it is hard to imagine the pros, rewards and upside envisioned by the Eagles organization could possibly outweigh the cons, risks and downside.

There is no question that adding Vick to the team has already had and will continue to have a polarizing effect on the community, fan base, media, and most importantly, others in the Eagles locker room. This will undoubtedly cause distraction and likely challenge team unity. Additionally, NFL quarterbacks looking over their shoulder very rarely results in a positive outcome. This is especially true in Philadelphia, where fan and media opinion is very strong, and where Donovan McNabb performs best when the winds of sentiment are mostly at his back. It will only take a less than stellar game or two, or a couple losses, before the noise will crank up whether Vick should take over at the helm. And, this signing is very likely detrimental to the development of Kevin Kolb.

In exchange, the Eagles would seem to get a player to run 2-3 Wildcat formations or other gadget plays each game. It is conceivable that by some unfortunate circumstance such as an injury to McNabb, Vick would provide insurance; however, the team has indicated that Kolb is #2 on the depth chart.

I believe the world champion team across the street has it right in that they put a premium on their culture and team chemistry. The best case scenario for the Eagles would seem to be that team chemistry will not be affected, but all other scenarios head south from there.

All in all, when evaluating this transaction from a pure business decision basis, this seems to be very unbalanced and ill advised. This is especially true considering that the Eagles had an excellent off season, further strengthening a team that was one touchdown drive from going to the Super Bowl. They did not need to roll the dice, particularly with the odds against them and the downside risk so great. Lets hope that ultimately Michael Vick is a model citizen on the team and in the community, the fans and players rally around him, he makes positive contributions on the football field and the Eagles win the Super Bowl- but the percentages do not seem to be with us.