Donovan McNabb was a one-man show during the Eagles' breakthrough season. The second-year quarterback accounted for more than three-quarters of the
team's offense and was its leading rusher. Those are nice stats, but they're
too much. McNabb led the Eagles from 5-11 to 11-5 and he still has plenty of
room for improvement as a decision-maker and pocket passer, but if they're
going to win the division and go deep into the playoffs they're going to have to
diversify on offense. The offensive line is among the NFL's best, so the
Eagles spent the offseason trying to surround McNabb with weapons. The
return of halfback Duce Staley from injury will solve one problem. Coach Andy
Reid must be counting on Staley to be 100 percent because he concentrated
most of his off-season efforts on improving the wide receiver group.
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CAMP AT A GLANCE
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| Donovan McNabb finished second in MVP voting last year. |
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Location:Lehigh, Bethlehem, Pa.
Rookies report: July 27
Veterans report: July 27
Preseason schedule:
Aug. 13: Baltimore
Aug. 18: at Buffalo
Aug. 23: at Tennessee
Aug. 30: N.Y. Jets
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The Eagles must get better because they're not going to sneak up on anyone
this year, face a much-tougher schedule and still have the Giants on the
schedule twice. The Eagles are 0-5 against their division rivals under Reid.
The well-coached defense is solid as a rock, so any improvement must come
from the offense.
Man in the spotlight
A serious foot injury ended Staley's season in Week
5, preventing him from reaching 1,000 yards for a third straight season. If
Staley returns as the same runner he was before the injury, the Eagles
offense will again be double-barreled. Staley's mini-camp performances were
positive, which is good because Reid failed to back him up with a proven
veteran during the offseason.
Key position battle
End Mike Mamula is long gone, having never developed
into anything more than a situational pass-rusher. The Eagles would like to
see a consistent threat develop opposite Pro Bowler Hugh Douglas, but chances
are they'll be forced into another tag-team. Brandon Whiting and Greg
Jefferson are solid, blue-collar veterans who will battle for the starting
job. Whiting started last season while Jefferson sat out with a knee injury.
Speed-rusher N.D. Kalu was signed in free agency and will almost certainly
play on passing downs. Kalu has never been a full-time player, but the Eagles
would be thrilled if he developed into one.
Biggest adjustment
Playing without a dependable halfback was a temporary
condition last year, playing without playmaking wide receivers wasn't. That's
why the Eagles dumped pedestrian starters Charles Johnson and Torrance Small
and brought in two gifted though inexperienced replacements. First-round
draft pick Freddie Mitchell doesn't have ideal height for the West Coast
offense, but he's a confident playmaker who is being counted on as the No. 1
wide receiver. James Thrash, a free agent stolen from the Redskins, has never
been more than a No. 3 receiver, but he has the deep speed to stretch
defenses. Flagpole-thin Todd Pinkston showed promise late in his rookie year
and could develop into a capable third receiver. There's not much experience
among the receivers -- 102 total NFL catches -- but at least there's
potential.
Rookie report
Mitchell might not be the only rookie to start. Quinton
Caver, taken in the second round, will battle holdover Ike Reese for the job
at weakside linebacker because Barry Gardner had been moved inside to back up
Jeremiah Trotter. Caver has the ideal size and speed for the position.
Fourth-round halfback Correll Burkhalter has good size and pass-catching
skills. He is the team's best insurance policy in case Staley doesn't return
at 100 percent.
Eagles' complete offseason moves
