The Philadelphia Eagles turned in a solid 11-5 performance in the 2009 regular season, and they could have put together an even better campaign had they found a way to beat the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas won both regular season meetings, and then it spanked the Eagles again in the playoffs. Getting swept by Dallas should have Philly plenty motivated as it enters the 2010 season, but motivation may not be enough to win the East. Philly could endure an up and down season as it breaks in Kevin Kolb.
Offense: The Eagles finally decided to say goodbye to Donovan McNabb after flirting with the idea for several seasons. For those who were calling for McNabb’s head, I say be careful what you wish for. He’s in the division, and he’ll be out to stick it to Philly just like Brett Favre stuck it to the Packers last season. I won’t argue that it may have been time for McNabb to go, but I don’t see Kolb giving the Eagles a better chance to win in year one. With that being said, he could in years two or three.
Kolb has some nice weapons in the receiving corps, but he could struggle to find time to throw behind a line that allowed 38 sacks last season. Pro Bowler Jason Peters will get it done, but there isn’t any star power in the rest of the unit. The Eagles are counting on a big boost from free agent pick up Stacy Andrews, and that may be asking too much.
In just two seasons, DeSean Jackson has quickly asserted himself as one of the most explosive players in the NFL. He is a threat to go all the way every time he touches the football. Last season, he made 62 grabs for 1,156 yards and nine scores. He also had two punt return scores and another rushing touchdown.
Jeremy Maclin gives the Eagles another speedy playmaker. He made 56 grabs for 773 yards and four scores as a rookie last season.
Tight end Brent Celek is truly one of the best at his position in the entire league. He hauled in 76 passes for 971 yards and eight touchdowns in 2009.
In addition to parting with McNabb, the Eagles also decided to say goodbye to the often injured Brian Westbrook. That means that LeSean McCoy will be asked to step into his role. McCoy has the talent to fill Westbrook’s big shoes, but he won’t fill them completely in year one. McCoy is coming off a 637-yard season.
Defense: After watching Dallas pick the Eagles apart in an NFC Wild Card game, it was clear that some moves needed to be made on this side of the football.
The Eagles spent their first five draft picks on defensive players and added linebacker Ernie Sims in free agency. The Eagles are expecting big things from Sims as they are depending on him to strengthen their weakest unit. Getting Stewart Bradley back from a knee injury should also help the linebacker corps improve.
The Eagles are solid up front. Defensive end Trent Cole is coming off a 12.5-sack season, and rookie Brandon Graham will also aid the pass rush. Broderick Bunkley and Mike Patterson hold down the interior. They are two big reasons why the Eagles ranked No. 9 in the NFL in run defense last season.
Asante Samuels, who is coming off an impressive nine-interception campaign, anchors a defensive backfield which should get better with the addition of rookies Nate Allen and Trevard Lindley.
Prediction: 3rd NFC East – The Cowboys have less question marks as we enter the 2010 season, and for that reason I have made them the NFC East front runner. The Eagles will be in a dog fight with New York for second place. They could take it, but Kolb will have to exceed the expectations I have for him in his first full season as a starter. It’s not out of the question for the NFC East to send three teams to the postseason. Be sure to check out my 2010 NFL predictions to see which teams I have winning each of the NFL’s eight divisions.
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Easily the biggest player surprise for the Green Bay Packers this year has been the emergence of rookie running back James Starks. This eight inch bobblehead is hand crafted and hand numbered to 2010. Officially licensed….
If you read the first part of our top 10 NFL moments series, then you probably know that the best is yet to come in this article, so let’s start with number five: A short one yarder: With a score of 23-16 and only 6 seconds remaining in the clock, the Titans trusted their Super Bowl XXXIV faith in the hands of Kevin Dyson. QB Steve McNair threw a pass to Dyson who started to run towards an uncovered area of the Rams endzone, but then St. Louis’ linebacker Mike Jones appeared in the scene and tackled the unlucky wide receiver, who missed the touchdown and the Super Bowl victory for just a yard. The Dolphins of 1972: Miami was indeed the best team in the league in 1972. Managing to come up with a 16-0 record and winning Super Bowl VII to the Redskins (whom, for some reason, were the favorites to win it all), becoming the only team in history to go undefeated (The Patriots of 2007 also came up with a 16-0, but they lose to the Giants at the Super Bowl).
An immaculate reception: Franco Harris is the man that gave the Steelers their victory on this decisive playoff match against the Raiders whom were ahead in the scoreboard by 6-7. Harris picked the ball a few inches before it hit the ground after a pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw to his nearest running back was deflected, he then ran and scored a touchdown to give his team a 13-7.
Joe Namath guarantee: When the Jets met the Colts for Super Bowl III, there were talks about problems concerning the competitive power the AFL possessed in order to play big teams from the NFL, but in despite of the pessimism surrounding the expectations from fans concerning New York playing Baltimore, Joe Namath guaranteed the victory, though such comments from the Jets quarterback were a bit laughable, but after their 16-7 win to the Colts, and Namath earning the MVP title, it became clear that they were no longer the big underdogs everybody thought they were.
New York Beats New England: The Patriots had beaten the Giants a month prior to Super Bowl XLII, and New England were the favorites coming from a 16-0 regular season, but Eli Manning was a better quarterback and leader than Tom Brady, and helped New York to surprise everybody by beating New England 17-14 in one of the best bowl shows of all times.
About the Author
Michael Hill is an avid sports fan and a sports writer who has been in the betting and price per head industry for years. Michael writes about his experience and offers tips for other aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to make a living with sports bookmaking.
Get ready for cold-weather crunch time with this Reebok classic hoody featuring “Property of NFL Draft 2009, New York” wordmark printed across chest. Adult men’s sizing….
NFL Free Agency: Randy Moss and 10 Hired Guns Who Deliver a Super Bowl
Some guys just can’t command long-term deals anymore. Be it character concerns, an injury history, a drop-off in production, age, or some combination of those four reasons, more and more players are forced to accept short-term deals laden with incentives. These players aim to prove to the league, and maybe to themselves, that they still have what it takes to bring a team to the Super Bowl. You … NFL Top 10:Running Backs (2007-2008)
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After LT, Larry Johnson, Frank Gore and Steven Jackson who are the top running backs in the NFL today?
These were 4 of the top 5 rushers last year in yards with Tiki Barber as the #4. So who else will be joining them this year. Will there be a comeback player or will there be a rookie rise to stardom or will a developing player who has been close finally have a breakout “career defining” season?
I’d go with these:
5. Shawn Alexander (SEA)
6. Willie Parker (PIT)
7. Joseph Addai (IND)
8. Brian Westbrook
9. Reggie Bush
10. Rudi Johnson
11. Travis Henry
12. Laurence Maroney
13. Maurice Jones-Drew
14. Willis McGahee
15. Thomas Jones
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CFT: UCLA starting OL breaks ankle
After starting every game for UCLA the previous season, Jeff Baca missed the entire 2010 season due to being academically ineligible. Top 10 NFL Running Backs
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