|
1. |
ILB |
High |
This has been a chink in their armor. It was the difference between being the
first and second best defense in the NFL.
Receiving mismatches against the Eagles ILB were too easy. |
|
2. |
DE |
High |
The Eagles had a formidable DE tandem with Hugh Douglas and
Brandon Whiting. But the Eagles have a tendency of losing their best players to
free agency. Hugh Douglas who signed with It is no coincidence that ILB (Trotter) and DE (Douglas) will be
the Eagles biggest needs. The Eagles are in the same situation as last
year. When the Eagles failed to sign Trotter, the LB talent was
degraded. It may be the Defensive Line's turn to be degraded. The
lose of Trotter kept the Eagles out of the Superbowl. The Eagles may
not return to the NFC Championship Game unless
the Eagles can replace Derrick Burgess who had an excellent rookie year but did not
play last year will be back but is still recovering from injury. ND Kalu, the
sack specialist, had a strong second half of the year. The Eagles like
Brandon Whiting against the run but they like Kalu or Burgess against the pass.
The Eagles could improve by getting a DE for all three downs. |
|
3. |
WR |
High |
To the surprise of many, they retain Antonio Freeman. If the Eagles can land an Outside Receiver
in Free Agency who has the speed to stretch the defense and who can run sharp,
short routes, they can use Freeman and Thrash to provide excellent power off
the bench for their three and four receiver sets. David Boston would have been a perfect fit
but was a Cap Buster. Pinkston improved the second half of the year. He has the speed and hands of a legitimate
weapon. Former 1st Round
Draft Pick Freddie Mitchell will have difficulty getting playing time unless
Freeman leaves. Look for Freddie Milons to come back from last year’s injury
and contribute. McNabb has to start going long more often if the Eagles are
going to field a top notch offense.
There were too many defenses sitting on the Eagles routes knowing that
the Eagles were not likely to pass downfield.
McNabb is going to have to challenge defenses with his arm if he is
going to be known as more than a Running Quarterback. If this QB transformation occurs, four
capable receivers with McNabb holding the ball will make the Eagles very
difficult to defend. |
|
4. |
FB |
|
The Eagles need to be able to spread the ball around. They need a FB who poses a threat to
defenses. A FB that gets two touches a
game is not enough to help keep defenses off balance. Cecil Martin is a good blocker for his
size. But the Eagles would get more
production by putting a TE in the backfield.
It’s an easy win for the Eagles to improve their offense by upgrading
FB. This is the year that a new FB
challenges for the starting position. (Jon Ritchie signed - moved to low need) |
|
5. |
TE |
Medium |
Why is TE a need when they have the reliable former all-pro Chad
Lewis and the touchdown catching Jeff Thomason? Chad Lewis is a finesse player who is
reliable but who is not a big play threat.
Jeff Thomason’s advantage is that he understands the offense. The Eagles will look to upgrade this year
in the draft to a TE with the speed to get behind the linebackers. |
|
6. |
G |
Medium |
The Eagles have a very good offensive line. They are solid at guard with all-pro
Jermane Mayberry and John Welbourn. If
a tackle is injured, John Welbourn goes to tackle. The backup at Guard, Doug Brzezinski, has
played well but has been lost to Free Agency.
Former second round draft pick Bobbie Williams has proven inadequate
and may not make the team next year.
Is Scott Peters ready? If not,
the Eagles may look for an FA Guard. |