2010 OUTLOOK: EAGLES' OFFENSE SET TO SOAR

Before the birds and their faithful followers descend upon Lehigh University as they do every season for training camp I take it upon myself to analyze the team based solely on my impressions from last season and what I've read about the draft and the offseason transactions. So, before a snap of preseason ball is played, before even the rookies report to small dorm rooms in Bethlehem, PA I will break down the offense and defense in the next two posts, then reveal my prediction for their Win-Loss record.
For the first time since a smiling, charming and hungry Terrell Owens dawned midnight green at the end of an arduous process to bring the All-Pro wideout to the City of Brotherly Love, there is genuine excitement about how Andy Reid's offense will perform. Many are tapering expectations because of Kevin Kolb's inexperience and his tendency to throw the football to the other team in his limited playing time since the Eagles selected him early in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Despite his inexperience, Kolb has had three full seasons on the bench to learn the ins-and-outs of Reid's complex passing game. By comparison, many of the “new generation” of NFL quarterbacks have succeeded with a similar blueprint. Green Bay's Pro Bowl QB Aaron Rodgers sat three years behind Brett Favre before taking the reins and becoming the man under center. In his two seasons as a starter Rodgers has thrown 50 regular season touchdowns to only 20 interceptions. Philip Rivers, the superstar in San Diego, carried a clip board for two full seasons behind Drew Brees before assuming the role of starter in 2006, a year in which he put up nearly 3400 yards and 22 touchdowns in a Chargers offense built around Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson. After going undrafted in 2003 and signing as a free agent with Dallas, Tony Romo had never attempted a pass in the regular season before 2006 after being injected into the starting lineup when Bill Parcells pulled his guy, Drew Bledsoe. Romo has been selected to three of the past four Pro Bowls and, last season, lead the Cowboys to their first playoff victory since 1996. Carson Palmer was given a year to develop before being handed the keys to the Cincinnati franchise. The time on the sidelines learning Reid's offense could be the key for Kolb. Being comfortable in the scheme from day one will allow for a much smoother transition from back-up to starter.
Also aiding in that transition will be the skill players Andy Reid and Co. have assembled over the past few seasons. Coming into his third season with the Eagles, receiver DeSean Jackson has proven to be one of the most explosive players in NFL history, having tied the record for most touchdowns of 50-yards or more with eight, and set a new record by averaging 52.8 yards per score in 2009. Jeremy Maclin is looking to breakout in his sophomore season after a solid rookie campaign, much the way his counterpart, Jackson, did a season ago. Maclin showed plenty of big-play potential in his first year as well, putting up 773 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season, and was the only glimmer of sunshine in the torrential downpour that was the first round playoff game against Dallas. While the Cowboys dominated the Eagles in a 34-14 beating, Maclin was able to catch seven balls for 146 yards, including a 76-yard TD pass from Michael Vick. Jackson and Maclin have the potential to become the top receiving pair in the league. Both are lightning quick, have reliable hands and make catches in the clutch. With the home-run capabilities on the outside, tight end Brent Celek, the future Pro Bowler who was the most consistent player on the birds' offense in 2009, as well as receivers Jason Avant and the recently reacquired Hank Baskett will be able to control the middle of the field like a team of Freddie Mitchells (imagine that for a second: a team of FredExs and “Peoples' Champions”). Don't be surprised if young tight ends Cornelius Ingram and Clay Harbor contribute in the red zone for this team, who have struggled to get points from in-close for the past several seasons. Bringing back Baskett could also address the red zone issues that plagued the now former Eagles' QB Donovan McNabb in his final few years in Philly. Baskett was always considered a red zone threat for his superior height (6'4”) and jumping ability (set a New Mexico state record by jumping 7 feet at a 2000 state track meet), but it always seemed McNabb could never quite connect with Baskett. Baskett is now in his second stint with the Eagles, and QB Kevin Kolb is touted as a much more accurate passer who may be able to use Baskett's size to the offense's advantage in 2010 by attempting and completing a fade to a back corner of the end zone for six points. Such a feat has been a rarity in Philadelphia for a long time, and would be yet another way for this passing game to produce. The mix of size and speed among the receivers and tight ends is going to create matchup problems for almost every defense in the NFL. Kevin Kolb is essentially stepping into a ready made offense, and his job is essentially that of, say, whoever is asked to play point guard for the Miami Heat: distribute the ball into the hands of some of the most dynamic playmakers in the league and let good things happen.
Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg have long been known for their love of the vertical passing game. In 2010 expect the love affair to continue, and with good reason, based on the aforementioned skill at the receiver position. But for this offense to reach its full potential the pass happy duo must overcome, or at least curb, their addiction. If this team is able to consistently establish its running game then the offense may be one of the best in the league. Fans and analysts have been screaming at the top of their lungs for most of Reid's tenure about the importance of the ground game. Running wears down the defense, running keeps the clock running late, running keeps the ball in the offense's hands and continuing to pound the ball early for short gains will lead to big chunks of yardage in the second half. But now running the football will also serve as protection for the first year starting quarterback. Reid had McNabb dropping back far too many times throughout his career and perhaps not running the ball enough lead to some of McNabb's injury problems later in his tenure with the Eagles, which lead to the degradation of his speed and athletic ability, which further exposed his lack of natural ability as a pocket passer. It is no secret the Eagles' offensive line is a work-in-progress at best, and probably not even that with the prognosis of Jamaal Jackson's knee injury. The only way the line is going to be able to protect Kolb and give him the time needed to get the ball down the field is by first attacking and pounding the defense with a run game and then taking advantage of the play-action pass. The fact that Kolb is a natural pocket passer and relies on quick decision making and a quick release rather than athletic ability to escape the rush until somebody is wide opened all but ensures the offensive line will not be asked to hold their blocks for nearly as long as they were with McNabb at the helm.
The addition of former Saints running back Mike Bell, who weighs in at 225 pounds, could compliment a backfield which showed flashes of brilliance in the middle of the 2009 season. Now second year halfback LeSean McCoy is looking to build on a promising rookie campaign that saw the second round pick's workload more than doubled during Brian Westbrook's battle with post concussion syndrome. The increased importance of the ground game and protecting Kolb should also result in increased responsibilities for fullback Leonard Weaver. The fifth year man who landed with the Eagles in 2009 after spending his first three seasons in Seattle is more than a typical lead blocker. Weaver was sent to the Pro Bowl for his '09 efforts, 323 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground, plus another 140 yards and 2 scores through the air. This trio of running backs should be able to create a three-headed backfield that can be used as a legitimate deterrent for Coach Reid's passing dependence.
There is quite a bit of “if” and “could” and “maybe” surrounding this offensive unit. Obviously, this speaks to the tremendous potential seen in each of the skill position players on the squad coming into 2010. But now, as it was recently stated on an ESPN broadcast, “the teenagers have the keys to the car for the first time”. Quite a few young players HAVE to step up and become on-and-off the filed leaders for this team to succeed, and injuries, play calling and luck will count just as much as the work the players put in. But, if nothing else, this offense should be very fun to watch.
Check back tomorrow for analysis of the defense and a W-L prediction you can take to the bank.

A Letter to the Fans and Management of the Cleveland Cavaliers

Before this moment, I must say, while I had no compassion for you, being a Philadelphia fan I feel I owe no out of towner anything because chances are I, as all fans in the City of Brotherly Love, had suffered far worse with no well-wishes from a rival city. But, while I had no compassion, I had no contempt, either. In light of losing the biggest star to ever play in the city and the face of the NBA, I felt the fans had the right to be pissed off and if something like what played out this summer in Cleveland had gone down in the Delaware Valley, the fan reaction would be much more harsh (and my hypothesis is the national sentiment from the media and other fans would not be nearly as supportive as what Cleveland has been receiving). However, after watching a segment on Sports Center about the economic impact James' leaving would have on Cleveland, especially the area surrounding the stadium, I now no longer feel nothing for you, I am glad LeBron James left your city. If one player, however talented, determines whether fans, no matter how “cursed”, will support their team, then you never deserved him. And I know, LeBron is a superstar with no talent+marketing equal in any sport. However, if one player will determine the future of the restaurants and shops and bars and employees at Quicken Loans Arena, then the fans really have nothing to complain about. Estimates on ESPN had the local economy surrounding the King's former castle losing $20-40 million dollars in the coming season. Now fans and management need to ask themselves, “why are we even surprised he left?” If the team surrounding arguably the most talented player in the league was so far below par that taking him out of the lineup would devastate the team to the point the city and fans would stop supporting the team altogether, why would he stay? It's about winning. Period. Your team was not good enough to take advantage of LeBron's talents. And now your fans will be proven to be as fraudulent as the Cavaliers regular season record the past few seasons as the line forms for an emergency de-boarding of the bandwagon as every sports bar Cavs' merchandise stand goes out of business. And I bet the Indians are in even greater trouble now, as well. It's not even funny to have a #23 James baseball jersey anymore.
Maybe Dan Gilbert had something to do with the King giving up his thrown in his homeland to join a democracy on South Beach, as well. If Gilbert is so two-faced he would offer James a max salary and build a franchise around him but then call him a quitter and a coward as soon as he leaves, how can anybody believe a word that comes out of his mouth? How will fans trust his guarantee of a championship? How will any potential superstar replacement not fear the same treatment so much as to deter them from joining the Cavaliers and help bring them back into relevancy? The fans and management of Cleveland's basketball franchise will be stuck in this cycle for the foreseeable future, most likely until they once again hit the lottery, and they have only themselves to blame.
Your superstar is gone and it was time to prove yourselves. You failed. For the same reasons you failed to keep LeBron in your city. The team was not good enough, the fans were not loyal enough, and the city, well, come on, I know I live in Philadelphia and have very little room to talk, but given the option to live in Cleveland or Miami, who would choose rust over sand? Especially when there are rings to be won on the beach, and only regular season and individual accolades on the table at home.
I hope this letter is not taken with offense, but in this time of rebuilding, use it as a building block. Realize James left because it is what he wanted to do. Then get over it and move on. Worry about your team. That is not to say you should not hate and boo LeBron and cheer against Miami. Hell, I actively wish on-field misfortune to any team that employs J.D. Drew, and now even his brother, Stephen. Now I cannot wait to voice my distaste for Donovan McNabb when he comes back to the Linc for the first time as a Redskin. Use all that hate and support your team. Be real fans. Be a real franchise. Or sitback and slowly let basketball slip into irrelevancy and put all your hopes and dreams on Mike Holmgren's shoulders.

Sincerely,
Bill Matz