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Philadelphia Eagles

Defense remains ahead of offense, but help is on the way

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2001 schedule Head coach: Andy Reid (third season, 16-16-0 career) Stadium: Veterans Stadium Eagles all-time record: 416-495-25 2000 rankings: Offense, 17th; Defense, 11th 2000 team statistics 2000 season results Eagles alerts from CNNSI.com! City Page: Philadelphia, Pa.

Philadelphia opens its training camp at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., on July 26.

By Jon A. Dolezar, CNNSI.com

A surprising playoff run last season has expectations soaring for head coach Andy Reid's third season in the City of Brotherly Love. Third-year quarterback Donovan McNabb continues to emerge, upping his completion rate 8.9 percent from his rookie season to his second season.

The Eagles can make the playoffs if … N.D. Kalu can give Hugh Douglas some help from the opposite defensive end position. Douglas did much of his work against double teams last season and the Eagles' signing of Kalu from division rival Washington was expressly to take pressure off Douglas (two sacks in the final five regular-season games).

Pivotal games: Sept. 9 vs. St. Louis; Dec. 22 at San Francisco. Philadelphia starts the season with a challenging three-game stretch against three of the most improved teams from a year ago: the Rams, Bucs and Seahawks. Philadelphia will get a late-season test with a two-game road trip at Washington on Dec. 16 and then at San Francisco six days later.

On the hot seat: Running back Duce Staley's 2000 season got off to a blazing start with 201 yards in the Eagles' season-opening 41-14 win at Dallas. But then he gained only 143 yards in the next four games before being lost for the year with a foot injury. A complete return to form by Staley is crucial to Philly's hopes in the East.

Up-and-coming: Second-year wide receiver Todd Pinkston and his rail-thin frame will have to improve on last season's 10 catches for 181 yards. With Charles Johnson and Torrance Small both off to New England via free agency, Pinkston will be asked to step up and help free-agent acquisition James Thrash and rookie Freddie Mitchell give McNabb down downfield targets.