NFC East: Despite no big back or big-play receiver, Philly feels confident.
By Larry O'Rourke
Of The Morning Call
The Eagles jettisoned controversial and five-time former Pro Bowl wideout Terrell Owens in March, then held off on drafting a wide receiver in late April's draft until they took possession-type receiver Jason Avant in the fourth round and return specialist/project-type wide receiver Jeremy Bloom in the fifth round.
They also still don't have the Jerome Bettis-like big back that so many of their fans and critics would like to see on the payroll.
But are the Eagles worried?
Not if what they have been saying during their first minicamp of this offseason is taken at face value.
''We have a lot of good players at wide receiver,'' said Marty Mornhinweg, the former assistant head coach who became offensive coordinator this winter after Brad Childress left for the Minnesota Vikings head coaching job. ''The competition is great.''
Todd Pinkston, who had a career-best 60 catches in 2002 and overall has 184 receptions in five healthy seasons, is still not part of that competition in the passing-oriented minicamp because he is being held out of workouts after missing all of last season with an Achilles tendon tear. But Pinkston's weekend of inactivity has not dulled quarterback Donovan McNabb's commentary on the new wide receiver corps.
''Reggie [Brown, the 2005 second-round draft pick] is a guy that you can definitely see has the knack for the big-play ability,'' McNabb said. ''But also, I think bringing in guys like [free agent] Jabar Gaffney, drafting Jason Avant, and having Todd, Greg [Lewis] and those guys here, gives [Brown] a little leeway to do something now. Those guys as well can take pressure off of him.
''We spread the ball around. It's something that I take pride in. So now, everyone gets involved and I think it makes it more exciting for the receivers to line up knowing they have a chance to get the ball.''
And those theories about needing a big, Bettis-like back to get the tough yards?
''It depends on your schemes,'' general manager Tom Heckert said. ''If you are going to line up, hand it off and bang it inside all the time, you're going to want that big guy.''
Since the Eagles did not draft a big back — and USC's LenDale White was available when they made their first two selections — their actions turn up the volume on Heckert's words.
Barring the signing of a cast-off veteran big back, the Eagles appeared headed for training camp with the relatively inexperienced 5-10, 200 pound Bruce Perry as their No.1 ''big'' back. They also are keeping their fingers crossed that 6-0, 222-pound Correll Buckhalter's knees stay together after two seasons on the sideline, and that 6-1, 243-pound fullback Thomas Tapeh could be ready for an enhanced role if he holds up after he missing all of last season because of hip surgery.
So their running game — and a lot of their passing game — will still undoubtedly feature 5-8, 203-pound Brian Westbrook in the tailback/halfback role.
''[Westbrook] is a little shorter than people think, but he's a little 'bigger' than people think because he's really put together,'' Mornhinweg said. ''He's more physical than people think.''
The other teams in the NFC East also proved to be a lot better in 2005 than many people thought. The New York Giants (11-5) won it, and were joined in the playoffs by Washington (10-6). Dallas went 9-7. Those records included a six-game sweep of the Eagles, who had been to the playoffs every year from 2000-04, including the latter four as division champs.
And each of those other teams made significant moves in the offseason, most notably the Cowboys with their signing of Owens.
''Everyone talks about the free-agent signings of the Giants, Dallas and the Redskins,'' McNabb said. ''I think what we have to do is just get back to the mode of playing good football. We have guys here who we feel can make big plays for us. And I think with having a [four]-year reign as NFC [East] champs, I see no reason why we can't be back at the top.''
Of The Morning Call
The Eagles jettisoned controversial and five-time former Pro Bowl wideout Terrell Owens in March, then held off on drafting a wide receiver in late April's draft until they took possession-type receiver Jason Avant in the fourth round and return specialist/project-type wide receiver Jeremy Bloom in the fifth round.
They also still don't have the Jerome Bettis-like big back that so many of their fans and critics would like to see on the payroll.
But are the Eagles worried?
Not if what they have been saying during their first minicamp of this offseason is taken at face value.
''We have a lot of good players at wide receiver,'' said Marty Mornhinweg, the former assistant head coach who became offensive coordinator this winter after Brad Childress left for the Minnesota Vikings head coaching job. ''The competition is great.''
Todd Pinkston, who had a career-best 60 catches in 2002 and overall has 184 receptions in five healthy seasons, is still not part of that competition in the passing-oriented minicamp because he is being held out of workouts after missing all of last season with an Achilles tendon tear. But Pinkston's weekend of inactivity has not dulled quarterback Donovan McNabb's commentary on the new wide receiver corps.
''Reggie [Brown, the 2005 second-round draft pick] is a guy that you can definitely see has the knack for the big-play ability,'' McNabb said. ''But also, I think bringing in guys like [free agent] Jabar Gaffney, drafting Jason Avant, and having Todd, Greg [Lewis] and those guys here, gives [Brown] a little leeway to do something now. Those guys as well can take pressure off of him.
''We spread the ball around. It's something that I take pride in. So now, everyone gets involved and I think it makes it more exciting for the receivers to line up knowing they have a chance to get the ball.''
And those theories about needing a big, Bettis-like back to get the tough yards?
''It depends on your schemes,'' general manager Tom Heckert said. ''If you are going to line up, hand it off and bang it inside all the time, you're going to want that big guy.''
Since the Eagles did not draft a big back — and USC's LenDale White was available when they made their first two selections — their actions turn up the volume on Heckert's words.
Barring the signing of a cast-off veteran big back, the Eagles appeared headed for training camp with the relatively inexperienced 5-10, 200 pound Bruce Perry as their No.1 ''big'' back. They also are keeping their fingers crossed that 6-0, 222-pound Correll Buckhalter's knees stay together after two seasons on the sideline, and that 6-1, 243-pound fullback Thomas Tapeh could be ready for an enhanced role if he holds up after he missing all of last season because of hip surgery.
So their running game — and a lot of their passing game — will still undoubtedly feature 5-8, 203-pound Brian Westbrook in the tailback/halfback role.
''[Westbrook] is a little shorter than people think, but he's a little 'bigger' than people think because he's really put together,'' Mornhinweg said. ''He's more physical than people think.''
The other teams in the NFC East also proved to be a lot better in 2005 than many people thought. The New York Giants (11-5) won it, and were joined in the playoffs by Washington (10-6). Dallas went 9-7. Those records included a six-game sweep of the Eagles, who had been to the playoffs every year from 2000-04, including the latter four as division champs.
And each of those other teams made significant moves in the offseason, most notably the Cowboys with their signing of Owens.
''Everyone talks about the free-agent signings of the Giants, Dallas and the Redskins,'' McNabb said. ''I think what we have to do is just get back to the mode of playing good football. We have guys here who we feel can make big plays for us. And I think with having a [four]-year reign as NFC [East] champs, I see no reason why we can't be back at the top.''
posted by The Gryphon at 8:28 PM
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