Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles are meeting in LEHIGH, PA as we speak to begin their 2006 training camp. The team “on the field” is revamped and ready to issue some serious payback on the NFC EAST for last season. What needs to happen for them to return to dominance? Here are 10 things to look for as camp opens for the Eagles prior to the start of the season…#10 – Playing time on the first team for Winston Justice

* Tra Thomas is winding down a great career. (I said it) He was a very major part of our 4 year run. But this is definitely his last year and the Birds want to be sure they know what they have in Justice before letting him be the #3 OT. If Justice doesn’t show the way he needs to – look for Herremans to have to move out to LT if Tra goes down and one of the young horses at OG step in.

#9 – Is Moats the “Real Deal”?

* He had some spectacular plays last year. Yet he seemed like he was on “Skates” as some said. Really odd way of running but was that just a speed demon getting used to the speed of the NFL? I can’t get out of my mind that stiff arm he put on the Rams defender at the 10 on his way to a TD late in the season. This kid shows star power.  

#8 – Do we even care about Fullback?

* This one really is important because quite frankly your running game and passing game BOTH suffer if the FB isn’t a weapon at blocking and receiving. He doesn’t need to be amazing but he sure as heck better not be Josh Parry.

#7 – LJ Smith/Matt Schobel Design

* LJ Smith has put up some “Nice” numbers so far in his career. Yet the Birds knew they needed a nice #2 TE to stretch the field and complement LJ. Again – Reid and Co. aren’t worried about blocking from this position. They want weapons. Is this a nasty duo or just two average TE’s running around?

#6 – Swagger

* Any great team has it. The Eagles Defense/Offense led by Trotter/Dawkins and McNabb have always played off each other with a nice swagger. Last year we had it just ripped out of us. Can guys like Darren Howard, Brodrick Bunkley and Matt McCoy help bring it back? Dawkins will do his best.

#5 – Does JJ still “Have It”

* The Birds defense failed last year miserably. Under 30 sacks from a JJ team is just pathetic. Did teams figure out his scheme? He’s not changing it. We know that. Or was it simply a matter that our DL was awful? And that is the most important part. We have major new pieces to fix that. Will the JJ Defense return to glory?

#4 – Gocong/McCoy ready or is it Dhani/Barber?

* Dhani Jones is a pretty bad football player. The Eagles know that now. They are giving Gocong the super speed reading update on how to be the SAM. As soon as he gets it – Dhani is gone. As for Barber? He’ll be on the field a ton yet its clear from the offseason that McCoy is going to start. This is going to be fun to watch.

#3 – Can McNabb to Brown become a household phrase?

* It better be. It better be.

#2 – Is the Defensive Line really as sick as they look?

*  This d-line has a chance to be one of the Franchises best ever. Howard/Cole/McDougle/Freak/Bunkley/Walker/Patterson. Wow. That’s talent. I don’t even know how we can afford that many nice d-linemen. I looked at the rest of the NFC East and none of them even remotely compare. [Giants have no interior DT’s] They need to become dominant for us to be dominant.

#1 – Is Westbrook 100% and ready to be a Star?

* Perhaps the most critical development this year is the ability of B-West to run the ball. He’ll be given a chance. We know he’ll put up 800-900 yards receiving if healthy all 16 games – will he put up 1,000 yards rushing if healthy too? If he plays in all 16 games this year – It says here that he will go over 2,000 yards total offense from scrimmage. Mark it down.