NFL 2006: Philadelphia Eagles

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the Philadelphia Eagles.)

No team was bitten more by the injury bug then the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005. With at least seven key people missing time to injuries, added to that the distractions that Terrell Owens caused and it's pretty easy to see why the Eagles fell from Super Bowl participant in 2004 to 6-10 last season.

Now with everybody predominantly healthy, coupled with an impressive draft class and some key free agent signings, head coach Andy Reid is feeling confident that Philadelphia can get back to its winning ways in the rough and tumble NFC East.

Offense: The key to the season is the health of Donovan McNabb. The former All-Pro quarterback played in only nine games in 2005 because of a sports hernia. With a healthy McNabb and Michael Westbrook, new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg hopes the Eagles can return to 2004 form.

The offense begins and ends with McNabb (2,507 yards, 16 touchdowns). If he's healthy, he's one of the best. Jeff Garcia was brought in just in case and he's a significant upgrade to Mike McMahon. Koy Detmer is the third quarterback.

Westbrook (1,233 total yards, 7 touchdowns, 61 catches) had trouble staying healthy and consistent last season. Westbrook needs to step it up a notch. He signed a big contract after the Super Bowl and hasn't lived up to it yet. Ryan Moats (278 yards, three TDs) and Bruce Perry are capable backups. Thomas Tapeh returns from injury and will battle incumbent Josh Parry for the fullback job.

T.O and his constant distractions are gone so now it's up to second-year man Reggie Brown to step up and take over the number one role. His 43 receptions for 571 yards and four touchdowns was good for a rookie, but those stats need to jump significantly in 2006. Todd Pinkston, who missed all of last season, returns at number two, while free agent Jabar Gaffney (55 catches) is in the slot. Greg Lewis (48 receptions) and rookie Jason Avant will see action as well.

L.J. Smith had a solid season at tight end, leading the team in receptions with 61. He was second on the squad in yards (682), but he only got in the endzone three times and that needs to improve. Free agent Matt Schobel will provide depth.

The offensive line is solid, even if a little long in the tooth at tackle. Hank Fraley comes back from injury, but he'll be seriously challenged at center by Jamaal Jackson, who just signed a new seven-year deal. Shawn Andrews is back at guard, while Todd Harremans takes over for the departed Artis Hicks at left guard. Adrien Clarke and rookie Max Jean-Gilles are reserves. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan return at tackle, both older and more brittle than ever. Rookie Winston Justice will push them for playing time.

Defense: The defense is loaded on the line and in the secondary. The linebackers aren't as strong as in years past under coordinator Jimmy Johnson, but they're still capable of solid play.

Jevon Kearse (7.5 sacks) will be joined by newcomer Darren Howard, free agent pickup from the Saints, at the ends. Trent Cole (five sacks) returns after a solid rookie campaign and former starter Jerome McDougle is back after missing all of last season from a gunshot wound. Mike Patterson (44 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and Darwin Walker return at defensive tackle and will be joined by Sam Rayburn, free agent Ed Jasper and rookie Broderick Bunkley.

Jeremiah Trotter (119 tackles) captains the defense from his middle linebacker slot, while Dhani Jones (70 tackles) returns as the Sam linebacker. Free agent Shawn Barber makes his second appearance in Philadelphia and will challenge Matt McCoy for the weak-side spot. Mark Simoneau and rookie Chris Gocong will see action as well.

The secondary is solid, especially at corner with starters Lito Sheppard (three interceptions) and Sheldon Brown (56 tackles, four interceptions). Roderick Hood (four picks), Matt Ware and free agent Donald Strickland make up the rest of this impressive unit. Michael Lewis (107 tackles, two interceptions) and Brian Dawkins (77 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions) make a formidable pair at safety, while Quinton Mikell, Sean Considine and J.R. Reed, trying to come back from a devastating leg injury, provide depth.

Special Teams: David Akers (71 points, 16-22 field goals, 23-23 extra points) is back after missing significant time due to a hamstring injury. Dirk Johnson (41.4) returns as punter. Reno Mahe (12.8) returns punts and Hood (23.7) handles kickoff chores.

Outlook: The Eagles are a solid team when healthy and good enough to challenge for the division. The problem is that Dallas, New York and Washington have gotten even better, while Philadelphia has dropped back some. The defense is tough, with the exception being outside linebacker. The offense is thin at running back and the line has questions at tackle with Thomas and Runyan and their ability to stay healthy. Reggie Brown must step up and be a true number one and Pinkston needs to have a bounce-back year or else the passing game could be in trouble. This division is the toughest in football and Philadelphia needs to stay healthy and have everything fall into place if it wants to challenge in 2006.

Prediction: The Eagles are still a good football team and McNabb is a star quarterback, but the talent around him has diminished. Westbrook is too injury prone and losing Owens did hurt as far as talent goes. Great coaching and a solid defense will keep the Eagles in the playoff chase all season, but the other teams in the division have gotten stronger. Philadelphia will finish 9-7.

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