Eagles solve WR problems

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

I think this defense is now older, slower and just doesn't have the talent level it used to.

What are their weak points? Not coaching, since their D-coordinator is a stud. Their secondary is pretty damn good with Sheppard, Brown, Dawkins, and Lewis. Their linebacking corps of Jones, Barber, and Trotter are solid. Their D-line of Kearse, Howard, Patterson, and Walker are solid.

Granted, they are older, but I don't see any glaring weaknesses. While their defense has been their strong point (as you point out) and may be aging, I still view it as pretty formidable.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

What are their weak points? Not coaching, since their D-coordinator is a stud. Their secondary is pretty damn good with Sheppard, Brown, Dawkins, and Lewis. Their linebacking corps of Jones, Barber, and Trotter are solid. Their D-line of Kearse, Howard, Patterson, and Walker are solid.

Granted, they are older, but I don't see any glaring weaknesses. While their defense has been their strong point (as you point out) and may be aging, I still view it as pretty formidable.

Again, I don't disagree with you that they are not team that can be taken for granted. I just don't think they are the force they used to be. As for the secondary: Brown took a major step back last year, Dawkins is Dawkins but he is a year older. I disagree that Jones, Barber and Trotter are "solid", in fact, I would suggest that they are the weakpoint of this D. Trotter is a run into the gap and tackle in the backfield Mike - coverage? Not Trotter's game. Barber is coming off a major injury and is older than he was the last time he tried that - the guy was contemplating retirement. Jones as your Sam? No thnk you - he can be (and I'm pretty sure he was) pushed around by big the TE's and (I think) he was not that great as a pass rusher. I think the D-Line is average at best - I am betting they will not get 16 games out of Howard (maybe 10) and even in those he will not be a game changer, just a good solid DE (Daniels on 'roids). As for Kearse, I'm sorry he just doesn't have it anymore. He was a non-factor last year and I don't see him turning it around.

Other than Sheppard, their D last year had all its starters - and still got shoved around. Their FA pick ups this year (Barber, Howard) simply don't look to me to be major upgrades over what they had last year.

As I said, I think they will play solid disciplined defense BUT I just don't see any game breakers on that side of the ball like they had in 04 with Kearse, Burgess, Corey Simon, Trotter, Sheppard and Dawkins. The only two from that list that, IMHO, will be better than average in 06 will be Sheppard and Dawkins.

On offense, its the Donovan & Brian show. Gaffney is maybe as good as the 03 version of Thrash - but that's it. Spread the ball all you want - but this offense will be very stoppable by a disciplined, attacking Skins defense (key being disciplined) and I just don't see their defense keepping pace with the Al Saunders inspired and Portis, Moss, Cooley driven offense of the Skins.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

What are their weak points? Not coaching, since their D-coordinator is a stud. Their secondary is pretty damn good with Sheppard, Brown, Dawkins, and Lewis. Their linebacking corps of Jones, Barber, and Trotter are solid. Their D-line of Kearse, Howard, Patterson, and Walker are solid.

Granted, they are older, but I don't see any glaring weaknesses. While their defense has been their strong point (as you point out) and may be aging, I still view it as pretty formidable.

Hey Sheriff, are you the former Ramseyfan? If so, I guess I missed the formal announcement.

The Eagles won’t be pushovers in '06 by any means. I would expect at least a slight rebound from their 6-10 record last year. Donovan McNabb at 100% makes that offense better by himself. And you’re right that their passing game did just fine with very average receivers, even before Terrell Owens got there.

That said, they have the same core group of players that have been there for 4 to 5 seasons now. They made up an amazing tandem that brought them to 4 straight NFC Championship games and then to the Super Bowl. But their window of success, even with an excellent coaching staff, is beginning to close. I do believe you’ll see an overall decline from Philly soon enough, not dissimilar from what we’re witnessing from the Green Bay Packers.

While struggling to make games against the Eagles interesting from 2002 - 2004, the Redskins are by far the superior team now. You certainly can’t discount them totally, but just about every facet of our team is much more equipped to handle any threat the Eagles can throw at us.