2008 Season Preview...Offense

Last season the Philadelphia Eagles finished the season with a three game winning streak putting them at 8-8. The team knew what it's weaknesses were and went out and addressed them the best they could. The red zone offense was terrible. It is the area they need to improve the most in order to have any shot at winning.

Offensively the Eagles made plays for WR's Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald and Roy Williams. In the end we drafted Desean Jackson. And what a great pickup it was. Jackson has really impressed people this preseason. He may emerge as a Steve Smith clone.

The offense of course revolves around Donovan McNabb. A healthy McNabb will equal a great McNabb. We the fans all know how great he can play. But others feel differently. A 3,000 yard passing season is not out of the question by far. What is questioned is how he will distribute the ball.

Kevin Kolb and AJ Feeley will again be the backups. But this time the roles are reversed. This year Kolb starts out as the number two guy. He is slowly developing into a solid QB. Another year in the system and he will be the heir apparent to McNabb.

Brian Westbrook is....well....Brian Westbrook. Some say he is the second best back in footbal next to LT. I will agree with that. He doesn't get the carries others do, yet he has back to back 1000 yard seasons. Westbrook is good for at least 60 catches out if the backfield. My favorite quote about Westbrook is this..." He'll outrun a Linebacker and run over a Safety". Can't remember who said it but it is true.

The Eagles brought in Lorenzo Booker to take some pressure off of Westbrook. Booker s another small, shifty back with great speed and hands. Look for him to be split out wide at times to help crete mismatches.

Correll Buckhalter is the power back. Buck has made it back from two major knee surguries to become a solid reliable RB. He is the change of pace back we need.

The FB position as of now is up in the air. Former Penn State star Tony Hunt is being tried out at the position. Hunt is a player the Eagles don't want to lose, but with Westbrook, Buckhalter and Booker, there isn't any room for Hunt. Should he win the position, he will be counted on to get tough yards and open holes for our RB's. Blocking wasn't his thing last year. So hopefully he learned more this year.

Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown are both nursing injuries. Curtis is more severe. A sports hernia that he had surgery on. He will be out a few weeks. And after that he won't be 100%. So it's time for the other WR's to step up. Hank Baskett is a 6'4 big bodied WR. He will be counted on more in the redzone this year than last year. Jason Avant had a good game here and there last year. This year he needs to get more involved. And of course there is Greg Lewis. Love him or hate him, the guy is a 3rd down option that usually makes it an automatic first down.

L.J Smith is back healthy from last year. Brent Celek was a rookie who played very well last year. And Matt Schoebel is...... well I can;t desribe what he brings to the team. All I know is the TE's in this offense are used in a majority of plays. These guys know they have to produce. It's just a matter of producing.

The offensive line is another question mark. Of course the starters are pretty much set.
RT Jon Runyan, RG Todd Herremans, C Jammall Jackson, LG Shawn Andrews, LT Williams Thomas. After that it gets cloudy. Only OG Max Jean-Gilles is a lock. There are a couple other young offensive lineman that could get spots over some vets. It is one area that we need great solid depth for.

This team hs a great mix of veterans and youth. The red zone offense should be improved from last year. The Eagles didn't have a problem moving the ball last year. The problem was scoring. With some of the weapons we added along with healthy players, look for the Eagles to again be a top 10 offense in the league.