Sadly, the summer has ended. Luckily, there is something to cure the blues as we leave the beaches in droves and prepare for hibernation during the long winter.
Football.
If there is one thing that cheers up the city of Philadelphia it’s knowing that football season is on the horizon.
Sunday starts a new beginning for everyone and on paper everyone still has a shot at the Lombardi Trophy. Sunday, the day of prayer, will turn into a day of devotion to the Gods of the Pigskin as we all come together in hopes that our team will make the run to the championship.
For Eagles fans, the Rams are the first opponent, a weaker NFC West adversary who is coming off a down season in 2007. Could this be the start of something special for the Philadelphia Eagles? Are they destined to etch their name on said Lombardi Trophy and give the City of Brotherly Love what they have been longing for?
Only time will tell, but since you’re here reading this, lets take a look at how the 2008 Eagles break down.
Offense:
Its Donovan’s show, that much we know. His sidekick is the otherworldly Brian Westbrook who continues to play at the highest level possibly despite a myriad of injuries throughout his career.
Beyond those two, it’s really anybody’s guess as to who will step up.
To start off the year, the wide receiver group is smashed with injuries as Kevin Curtis will miss time with a sports hernia and Reggie Brown is dealing with a bad hamstring. The Eagles are now hamstrung by having to start a rookie (Desean Jackson) and a career backup (Hank Baskett).
For this season to be a success, they need Brown and Curtis to come back and make a huge impact. We know what McNabb can do, and we have seen the special talents of Westbrook week after week. However, the birds have been searching for that elite pass-catcher since Terrell Owens left town. None of the guys in this group are T.O, of that we are certain. But if they can mesh with McNabb, anything is possible.
Other than the wideouts, a main concern for this team is the aging offensive line. One of the strong points for so many seasons has been the play of anchors Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan. They appear to be on the downside of their careers, but are still very serviceable tackles. Every sports fan in Philly knows the troubles of Shawn Andrews, as he has had to deal with depression, and showed up late for training camp. The center is Jamaal Jackson and the other guard opposite Andrews is Todd Herremans. They two are decent options and have helped make this line above average. However, you cant look past those aging tackles and the big guard with mental health issues.
The Eagles need Runyan and Thomas to hold up for just one more year as they groom Winston Justice (who was destroyed by Osi Umenyora in his only start last season) and Max-Jean Gilles to take over down the road. Their all-star here is Andrews, and if he can overcome the adversity he has dealt with, then the Eagles should be good to go. The wild-card is Gilles. He showed in camp that he can come in and plug a hole at the guard spot if needed. They seem to have enough depth to get them through the year, however, keep an eye on the line.
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