eagles_fansThe Eagles 2008 season would’ve been considered ridiculous almost anywhere else in the NFL, but by their standards, a bizarre rollercoaster of improbable highs and depressing lows is pretty much what’s expected year in and year out under the Donovan McNabb-Andy Reid regime.

In their last four seasons together, they’ve missed the playoffs, won a wildcard game, missed the playoffs, and fallen one game short of a Super Bowl.

Eagles Giants FootballLast year was particularly absurd, from an embarrassing Week 11 tie to the Bengals, a game that spoiled us with McNabb’s remarkably clueless press conference, to rock bottom the following week in Baltimore with the benching of said clueless QB, to a dominating do-or-die win against the hated Cowboys in the final week of the season that sent them streaking to the NFC Championship.

If anyone says they have any idea what’s going to happen with the Eagles this year, they’re either an enthusiastic 11-year old, or someone who defiantly wears a Hugh Douglas jersey to work on Fridays. Pay no attention.

040820_ravens_eagles_hmedhmediumEmbraced Additions: Jason Peters (Pro Bowl left tackle via Buffalo), Stacy Andrews (Right tackle, scored a huge free-agent deal despite tearing his ACL in Week 17), Ellis Hobbs (CB, reunited with Asante Samuel!), LeSean McCoy (RB, 2nd round pick). McCoy is a nice upgrade as Westbrook’s back-up, partly because he’s explosive, but mostly because he hasn’t torn his ACL 19 times. If he manages to get injured on one of his first few touches as a pro, the Eagles should just forget about the running back position altogether.

GONZO09-aTough Departures: Pretty monstrous hit with all-time Eagle Brian Dawkins going to Denver. Their fearless, emotional leader had clearly slowed a step or two, but his presence will be missed. I have no idea who takes over that leadership role this year, but it won’t be Donovan. With Tra Thomas now in Jacksonville, it’ll be tough finding another left tackle who will miss just one game (165 of 166) over the next 10 years. Jon Runyan is also gone, but he just had microfracture surgery on his knee and his disturbing shoulder hair is unforgivable. Their other losses widely classified as “key” — CB Lito Sheppard, TE LJ Smith, WR Greg Lewis and RB Correll Buckhalter — are mostly forgettable. Sheppard has only made it through a full season twice in seven years, Smith is serviceable at best, Lewis is terrible, and Buckhalter’s ankles and knee caps always fall off. Also not with the team in 2009 are Dan Leone and his keyboard. Cruel, I know.

Missing In Action: Jeremy Maclin must be pissed the Raiders snubbed him despite what all those mock drafts said, because that fleet of foot prick hasn’t signed yet. Which brings me to…

30mitchelllarge1McNabb: It’s relatively simple with the Eagles, more simpler than most. This team lives and dies, rather hard, with the play of Donovan McNabb. Each season it’s been standard practice to surround him with a bizarre set of receivers, sometimes castoffs (James Thrash, anyone?), sometimes chicks (remember Todd Pinkston?), sometimes myths (Reggie Brown’s gonna bust out!) and sometimes legends (Freddie? Freddie!). But this year there’s real potential at the position, something McNabb can get excited about. DeSean Jackson, who finished just shy of 1,000 yards last year and who made some big grabs in the playoffs, is a serious deep threat who’s only getting better. His speed paired with Maclin’s could be a nightmare, but as mentioned, their top pick still needs to sign a contract. Kevin Curtis is steady and reliable when healthy, Jason Avant is hanging onto T.O.’s number in hopes of a breakout season, and Hank Baskett is still really good at standing on the sideline and being horny.

ray_rhodes_brianbahr1The Defense: Sheldon Brown is finally laughing, which is important considering he bitched his way through the offseason. Taking over at defensive coordinator is Sean McDermott, who replaces the widely respected, blitzing madman Jim Johnson, who’s been battling cancer.  Eagles fans can talk about years of tutelage under Johnson until their green tits turn purple to convince themselves this will be a seamless transition, but it’s never that easy. Ray Rhodes was a Bill Walsh disciple, what did that get them?

Outlook: With Eli Manning about to experience his first full season without having Plastic Man to throw to, the NFC East is Philly’s.

The Real Reason: How could I argue with team president Joe Banner? The guy looks like he should be rambling on and on about the latest dazzling products from Adobe, but if he says the Eagles have the best roster in the league, they must have the best roster in the league.

eagles-joe-banner_phixr1

Prediction: 11-5. They’ve been to back-to-back NFC Championships before. It’ll happen again, with the same result.

And finally, a brief moment with Vai Sikahema to take you into the comments …

2009 NFL Preview: New York Giants