NFL team previews — NFC East
By David Weinberg
As published in print Aug. 21, 2000
|
 |
Eagles QB
Donovan McNabb
|
The Eagles are expected to be better this year.
After three straight losing seasons, the franchise has improved to the point where it
could even challenge for its first playoff berth since 1996.
"The talent is here to make the playoffs this year," Eagles CB Troy Vincent
said. "We’re a better team than we were last year, and the guys feel good about
that.
"But the key to everything is how we do on the field. The depth chart looks so
pretty, but talent alone doesn’t win football games."
On paper, the Eagles look like Miss America, or at least like the first runner-up.
Second-year head coach Andy Reid and director of football operations Tom Modrak did a
solid job of upgrading key positions through free agency by signing ORT Jon Runyan, RB-KR
Brian Mitchell and OLB Carlos Emmons. They also landed a potential standout in the draft
in DT Corey Simon.
They will bolster a lineup that includes current standouts such as Vincent, FS Brian
Dawkins and RB Duce Staley, plus a rising star in QB Donovan McNabb.
How fast McNabb progresses and how well his offensive supporting cast can step up to
support an outstanding defense will determine just how much improvement the Eagles will
make.
They should be better than last season’s 5-11 team, but still could be a year or
two away from wearing a crown.
Top of page
| Quarterbacks |
Grade C+ |
| McNabb has impressed the coaching staff with his preseason
performances and appears to be on his way to a solid season. Given his lack of experience,
however, there will be some mistakes. Koy Detmer has a fiery on-field personality and a
knack for producing that have endeared him to fans and teammates. Last season’s
starter, Doug Pederson, is best-suited to be a backup. Top of page |
| Running backs |
Grade B |
| Staley has emerged as one of the league’s most
productive and effective backs. Although not a game-breaker, he’ll pick up tough
yards as a runner and is a reliable receiver. Second-year FB Cecil Martin has held off a
challenge from free agent Stanley Pritchett. Mitchell will see action in third-down
situations. Top of page |
| Receivers |
Grade C- |
| Charles Johnson and Torrance Small are capable receivers but
lack speed. Rookie WR Todd Pinkston could become a star with more experience. Na Brown,
Dameane Douglas, Alex Van Dyke and rookie Gari Scott provide depth. None of the tight ends
in camp — Luther Broughton, Chad Lewis, Jeff Thomason and Jed Weaver — stood out
in the preseason. Top of
page |
| Offensive linemen |
Grade B- |
| The addition of Runyan was huge in terms of size and impact.
OLT Tra Thomas is just as big and more mobile. OLG Doug Brzezinski should be better this
year. ORG Jermane Mayberry beat out rookie Bobby Williams for the starting job but could
give it up to John Welbourn. C Bubba Miller is unproven but is considered a leader. Top of page |
| Defensive linemen |
Grade B |
| DRE Hugh Douglas could average a sack a game if he stays
healthy and DLE Mike Mamula can supply consistent pressure from the other side. Simon has
already displayed Pro Bowl potential. DTs Hollis Thomas, Brandon Whiting and Paul
Grasmanis will also be in the rotation. Top of page |
| Linebackers |
Grade A- |
| This unit should continue to flourish under the aggressive
scheme favored by defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. MLB Jeremiah Trotter has emerged as
one of the league’s best. OLB Carlos Emmons is considered an upgrade over William
Thomas, who was released in a salary-cap move. Second-year pro Barry Gardner is
better-suited to play the inside, but he should improve with experience. James Darling,
Mike Caldwell and converted DE Al Wallace supply depth to a position that is considered a
strength. Top of page |
| Defensive backs |
Grade A |
| Not too many defensive backfields feature two Pro Bowlers
like Dawkins and Vincent. CB Bobby Taylor isn’t far behind when he isn’t hurt.
Nickel DB Al Harris could start for many teams in the NFL. The one spot that is a little
bit of a question mark is strong safety, where inexperienced Damon Moore replaces steady
but undersized Tim Hauck. Getting a solid performance out of Moore is the key to this
unit’s success. Top
of page |
| Special teams |
Grade C+ |
| PK David Akers has a strong leg but must be more consistent
from inside 45 yards to keep the job. After serving in the NFL for 15 years, P Sean
Landeta looks as if he could play another 10. Return specialist Mitchell is a valuable
asset, although Allen Rossum is also dangerous on kickoffs. Long-snapper Mike Bartrum has
few peers. Top of page |
Back to 2000 predictions chart
Back to team previews main page |
|
 |
The Archives
2000 - 2001 Season |
| Online writers — features and
columns by our PFW staff, columnists, AFC reporters, NFC reporters and contributing
writers |
| College football — articles,
college notepad, key college game previews, PFW's college top 10 |
| Fantasy football — articles,
injury reports, weekly fantasy tips, weekly matchups, The Fantasy Doctor, mock drafts,
draft boards, "In our opinion" daily fantasy columns |
| Free-agency |
| General features — Internet
features, features from our print edition, Hall of Fame features, team reports, training
camp reports |
| Handicapper's Corner —
staff selections, games of the week, PFW Players of the Week, NFL standings, weekly
handicapping columns, predictions |
| "A closer look" —
in-depth analysis of general football topics |
| "In our opinion" daily columns
— opinions on general football topics |
| "PFW spins" —
short-takes on current events |
| Joel Buchsbaum
— college player evaluations, NFL player analysis, NFL draft coverage, NFL notepad,
NFList, college game previews and other NFL articles by PFW's contributing editor |
| NFL Draft — player evaluations,
printouts, feature stories, commentaries, draft recaps |
| Ron Pollack —
articles and commentary by PFW's editor-in-chief |
| Season in review —
the 2000-2001 NFL season |
| XFL — the inaugural year |
|
