P H I L A D E L P H I A   E A G L E S
Go-To Guy | Weakest Link | Burning Question | Offseason Movement

Glance Head coach: Andy Reid 2001: Results 2002: Draft picks Training camp: July 26 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.  2002 Schedule Date  Vs.  Time  Sept. 8  at Ten.  1 p.m.  Sept. 16  at Was.  9 p.m.  Sept. 22  DAL.  1 p.m.  Sept. 29  HOU.  1 p.m.  Oct. 6  at Jac.  4:15 p.m.  Oct. 13  Open     Oct. 20  T.B.  1 p.m.  Oct. 28  NYG  9 p.m.  Nov. 3  at Chi.  1 p.m.  Nov. 10  IND.  1 p.m.  Nov. 17  ARI.  1 p.m.  Nov. 25  at S.F.  9 p.m.  Dec. 1  STL.  4:15 p.m.  Dec. 8  at Sea.  4:05 p.m.  Dec. 15  WAS.  1 p.m.  Dec. 21  at Dal.  8:30 p.m.  Dec. 28  at NYG  1:30 p.m.

By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com

Think Philadelphia's 29-24 loss to St. Louis didn't influence the Eagles' offseason thinking? Consider the team's new defensive backs: free-agent signee Blaine Bishop and draftees Lito Sheppard (first round), Michael Lewis (second round) and Sheldon Brown (second round).

But it wasn't the Rams' potent passing attack that ended Philly's 2001 season in the NFC Championship Game. The Eagles limited Kurt Warner & Co. to 212 passing yards. St. Louis' running game -- including two rushing touchdowns by Marshall Faulk -- was the fatal dagger for Philadelphia.

So, why didn't the Eagles focus on stopping the run? Instead, the team allowed Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter to walk; he signed with NFC East rival Washington. Mike Caldwell, the team's second-leading tackler, also left, joined by strong safety Damon Moore in Chicago.

In their place is Shawn Barber. And no one else.

"I think we have a chance to be an even better defense with the additions of Blaine Bishop and Shawn Barber," head coach Andy Reid said "I have a lot of respect for both of those players.

"And offensively, we're another year older. I think you got a taste of what we'll see with the last four or five games of last season. You saw maturity with the receivers and quarterback. The offensive line continues to improve, and the running back situation is stable."

Meanwhile, the rest of the NFC's contenders made significant moves, particularly the Redskins. Washington features three All-Pro LBs -- Lavar Arrington, Jessie Armstead and Trotter -- and two shutdown cornerbacks in Fred Smoot and Champ Bailey. The Skins also signed defensive tackle Santana Dotson and are still interested in Sam Adams, anchor of Baltimore's run-stuffing, record-setting 2000 defense.

Enough about what Philly isn't bringing to the table. The bottom line: Donovan McNabb must put the Eagles on his back and shoulder the burden -- again.

"I like what we have on the roster right now," Reid said. "We will win games with the players that are right here. Does that mean we shut our eyes to things that happen? No, we won't do that. We'll always continue to look and we'll see what happens. ... I feel very good about our starters, and for the most part, about our depth."

For starters, James Thrash needs a complementary receiver to play up to expectations. One of the speedy Freddies -- Mitchell or Millons -- should push third-year WR Todd Pinkston for a starter's job. As a rookie last season, Mitchell left a lot to be desired: 21 catches, 283 yards and one TD. Millons is a rookie this year.

Duce Staley returns as the lead running back, but Correll Buckhalter will miss the season of tearing an ACL. Thirteen-year veteran Brian Mitchell may receiver an expanded role, but clearly rookie Brian Westbrook has an opportunity to make his mark.

"I really don't want to talk 'better,' now," Staley said. "You don't want to compare this team with last year. We have a good, solid team. Of course, there's always room for improvement. ... As a team, I think we're making progress toward the ultimate goal, and I think each position has gotten better."

Really? What are we missing here?

Fact Donovan McNabb is the highest-drafted QB ever by the Eagles (No. 2 overall in 1999). Only three other Philly QBs were ever first-round picks by the team: John Reaves (1972), Frank Tripucka ('47) and Davey O'Brien ('39).

Donovan McNabb, QB -- The Eagles' offense basically will be the same as last year's.

"I've been saying we had a veteran defense and a very young offense," Reid said. "The offense is another year older. [McNabb] had a great challenge ahead of him coming in with receivers that he wasn't real familiar with. They developed a relationship there and it took off that last quarter of the season. You will continue to see that improve throughout this year."

For McNabb, the title-game loss only whetted his appetite even more. "Last year, we came back, and guys were definitely hungry just from the previous year," McNabb said. "To come back this year, you sort of see the light at the end of the tunnel -- of what the future can hold. You want to get there."

Entering his fourth season, McNabb has improved each year. In 2001, he passed for 3,233 yards and posted career highs with 25 TDs and an 84.3 QB rating.

"[By the playoffs], we had a year under our belts; we knew what to expect from each other," Thrash said. "It was my first time in the offense, as well as my first time on this team. ... It was Todd [Pinkston]'s first year as a starter. Donovan had two new receivers out there he hadn't played with much before. ... I know, for myself, last year I didn't know what was going on half the time. Now, I know the plays and I can just relax and go out there and be an athlete."

McNabb says Philadelphia will be better than 2001, when the Eagles were 17th in offense (14th in rushing, 20th in passing). "We've definitely gained a little more firepower," said the Pro Bowl quarterback. "We've all remained focused on our goals. It hasn't been something that's pushed us back, and maybe it has moved us forward. We can't worry about what happens on the business aspect of things on the outside. We can only focus on what's happening here."

Fact Barry Gardner was a walk-on at Northwestern. He earned a scholarship before his sophonore year and finished second on the school's all-time tackles list (468).

Middle linebacker -- Fourth-year veteran Barry Gardner replaces Trotter, and it remains to be seen how he will perform. Think Hardy Nickerson wouldn't have looked good in this spot? Losing out on Nickerson to Green Bay means that the Eagles have two rookies, Tyreo Harrison and Justin Ena, behind Gardner.

Still, Reid says he has "full trust" in Gardner.

"Everybody wants to play, everybody wants to start," Gardner said. "You have to prove yourself every day at this level. You have to be on top of your game at all times. Then you let the coaches make the decisions. As a player, you have to be the best you can be and leave that to the coaches."

Gardner, a second-round pick in 1999, lost a battle for the starter's job to Trotter in training camp his rookie season. But he started five games at outside LB later that season and 13 in 2000. He moved back to the middle last year, was a backup to Trotter and served on all units of special teams.

Gardner has 174 tackles and one sack in three seasons.

"You have to prove yourself every day," he said. "I hope to do what I do every day and let the coaches make the decision."

Cornerback Troy Vincent is hopeful Gardner can be a big part of the Eagles' makeover. "There have been some changes, but they could open up doors for other people," Vincent said. "There are a lot of unknowns, but we could be a better defense. I'm optimistic."

Did the Eagles keep pace during the offseason?

Fact Andy Reid is one of six NFL head coaches who coached under Seattle's Mike Holmgren. The others: Jon Gruden, Dick Jauron, Steve Mariucci, Marty Mornhinweg and Mike Sherman.

On paper, no. Aside from the Skins adding Trotter (among others, not the least of whom is offensive genius Steve Spurrier), Dallas improved, as did the Green Bay, Minnesota and Tampa Bay. And there's up-and-coming Chicago, a team Philadelphia knocked from the playoffs last season. Finally, the benchmark remains St. Louis.

It will take two of those seven teams to stumble if the Eagles are to return to the postseason, much less repeat as NFC East champions.

"I don't think you build a team that way [free agency]," Reid said. "We've got a good football team here and there have been very few changes here, with respect to what normally happens in the National Football League. Yeah, there are people out there. No. 1, will they fit into your system? No. 2, are they better than the people you already have?

"Obviously, we don't think that. We think we have a pretty good chemistry here, and that's important. Now, does that mean we won't add or subtract a guy here or there? No, it doesn't mean that. That's part of the game. But looking at the people who are out there now, we feel very comfortable with what we have now."

The fact is that the reason Philadelphia isn't signing players off the streets is because Reid likes what he has. Starting Sept. 8 at Tennessee, we'll see if it's enough.