tr1 Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 7-9 is about right for the Feebles. http://www.betus.com/sports-betting/NFL_Football_Futures_Betting_Eagles_Not_Extinct-12426.aspx By Charles Jay BetUS Sportsbook has all of its NFL odds up to win the Super Bowl, along with divisional and conference football odds, and a special proposition on the rookie of the year. As far as one of the divisions is concerned, the NFC East once again promises to be one of the most competitive. The Dallas Cowboys reside there, as does another playoff team, the Washington Redskins, and the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. The only one left is the Philadelphia Eagles. Can they take flight in 2008? We will examine that today. It was important to the Eagles that Donovan McNabb return from the ACL tear the year before, even though Jeff Garcia was able to lead the team into the 2006 playoffs. Garcia had left for Tampa Bay in free agency, and McNabb, whose mobility was in question, knew it was going to be a slow process. By the end of the season, there was cause for optimism, as the Eagles won their last three games, including a 10-6 win at Dallas. McNabb threw with 65% accuracy in those games. Brian Westbrook was once again pivotal to the Philadelphia fortunes, ranking first in the league in yards gained from scrimmage (i.e., rushing and receiving). But here simply has to be more balance in terms of weapons, and indications are that the Eagles did not go very far in doing that. Sure, Lorenzo Booker was added to reinforce the running back position. Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown are adequate wideouts. And L.J. Smith is a serviceable tight end. But there is no one here who is going to strike fear in the hearts of opposing defensive coordinators. And with Andy Reid a proponent of the West Coast offense, enemy stop units don't really have to cover the whole field. That was okay when McNabb was at full throttle in terms of his ability to run the football, but he is not in that kind of position now, even if he is completely healthy. Even short distances puzzled the Eagles at times; they finished 24th in the league in red zone offense. There was excitement, certainly, when one of the prizes in the free agent crop - cornerback Asante Samuel - was signed away from the New England Patriots. When defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's scheme was most successful, he was able to maintain man coverage with capable corners and bring a lot of people on the pass rush. Well, now Samuel teams with Lito Sheppard, a Pro Bowl player, to give the Eagles a great tandem there. The Philadelphia pass rush fell off last year, but there is hope that it will return, as the defensive tackles are normally pretty good at putting pressure on the quarterback and will be helped by the addition of defensive end Chris Clemons, who played for Oakland last year and joins Trent Cole, who registered 12.5 sacks in 2007. Linebackers, however, may become an issue as the season progresses. They have little experience and depth at that position. Special teams is a problem that needs to be addressed. The Eagles don;t cover kicks very well, and David Akers, who was a woeful two for ten outside of 40 yards last season, does not give the offense much scoring range. That compounds problems when you are not overly explosive, have a do-everything running back (Westbrook) who has to be experiencing some wear-and-tear, and rough sledding in the red zone. The defense may stage a comeback, but it's the attack that leaves us skeptical about this Eagle crew. JAY'S PREDICTION FOR 2008: Philadelphia Eagles -- 7-9, 4th place, NFC East Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointyfootball Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 JAY'S PREDICTION FOR 2008:Philadelphia Eagles -- 7-9, 4th place, NFC East I hate betting, and I'm a homer, but I'd still take that bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dizzinator53 Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 All will hinge on the performance of McNabb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Jones Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 All will hinge on the performance of McNabb. If WB and McNugget stay healthy the Birds will make the playoffs. They should bounce back from last season just based on history. The Birds have long term questions, however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointyfootball Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 All will hinge on the performance of McNabb. Isn't that true with any franchise QB? Brady, Manning(s), Palmer, Rothlisberger, Rivers, Cutler, etc. If a team's season doesn't hinge on their QB, then they've either got a so-so QB, a top 3 shutdown defense, and/or ridiculous running game. They might make the playoffs, but to me, just "making the playoffs" isn't a successful season unless it's a young team that hasn't been there in a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dizzinator53 Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 I wouldn't say Rivers and Cutler, but I see where you are coming from. If McNabb stays healthy (which he won't) they might have a shot at being ok. I still think they'll be in the basement. Also: **** the Eagles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Excuses Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 McNabb gets injured, Kolb comes in and stinks it up. Eagles suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedr01 Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Yeah seriously, screw the Eagles. I have two Eagles fans and just two days ago when we were drinking, convinced them that McNabb had a Lavar Arrington accident. They are still under the impression the Kolb is their starting QB, good for them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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