- Eagles entered the 2009 season with an explosive offense and had many people picking them to go to the Superbowl and potentially win it
- Defense struggled after the loss of DC Jim Johnson one of the most prolific blitz callers in recent history
- Hit a down point in a tough division in the middle of the season and fell out of the playoff hunt
- Got hot at the end of the season becoming a trendy pick to win the Superbowl at the end
- Scored 429 points while allowing 337 points
Philadelphia Eagles
NFC East
Players
2010 Schedule
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Week 1
GB @ PHI
09/12/10
4:15 pm
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Week 2
PHI @ DET
09/19/10
1:00 pm
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Week 3
PHI @ JAC
09/26/10
4:00 pm
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Week 4
WAS @ PHI
10/03/10
4:15 pm
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Week 5
PHI @ SF
10/10/10
8:15 pm
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Week 6
ATL @ PHI
10/17/10
1:00 pm
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Week 7
PHI @ TEN
10/24/10
1:00 pm
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Week 8
bye
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Week 9
IND @ PHI
11/07/10
4:15 pm
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Week 10
PHI @ WAS
11/15/10
8:30 pm
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Week 11
NYG @ PHI
11/21/10
8:15 pm
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Week 12
PHI @ CHI
11/28/10
1:00 pm
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Week 13
HOU @ PHI
12/02/10
8:15 pm
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Week 14
PHI @ DAL
12/12/10
8:15 pm
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Week 15
PHI @ NYG
12/19/10
1:00 pm
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Week 16
MIN @ PHI
12/26/10
1:00 pm
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Week 17
DAL @ PHI
01/02/11
1:00 pm
Offensive Depth Chart
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Quarterback
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Running Back
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Wide Receiver
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Tight End
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Kicker
2009
By Air
- Kevin Kolb will enter the season as the starter ending a ten year go with McNabb at the helm
- Desean Jackson had a sensational sophomore with 1,156 yards and 9 TDs
- Brent Celek stepped up and become top 10 talent at TE with 971 yards and 8 TDs
- Jeremy Maclin had a solid rookie season with 773 yards and 4 TDs
- The question now is can Kolb come in and distribute the ball to the talent at skill positions
By Land
- Westbrook was injured and now Lesean McCoy will become the full time starter
- During McCoy’s playing time he compiled 637 rushing yards and 4 TDs
- Vick should also get more looks in the wildcat formation
- Major question… how will Mike Bell fit into the equation
QB
- Kevin Kolb will enter his first season as starter after throwing for 300 yards in both games he started last season
- Vick moves up to the 2nd string. Should get more opportunities in the wildcat as well as serve as the primary backup. Depends on his current legal situation.
- Mike Kafka drafted to be the 3rd string development quarterback
RB
- Lesean McCoy will now be the starter can he produce on the ground and through the air in the likes of Westbrook. A receiving threat out of the backfield is a must in the west coast offense. Did have 40 catches for 308 yards last season
- Leonard Weaver played the FB position and also took snaps out of the single back with a productive 4.6 YPC
- Mike Bell was signed from the saints to help carry the load with McCoy
WR
- Desean Jackson looks to replicate last season even with a new QB
- Maclin looks to build on his rookie success
- Avant plays a solid WR and compiled 587 yards with 3 tds
TE
- Celek should continue to progress and be the security blanket for Kolb
- Last season Celek caught 76 passes for 971 yards and 8 TDs
- Who else will provide depth and pass catching ability
Kicker
- David Akers has been one of the best around for years. Made 32 FG last season with 43 EXP
Eagles Defense
- Drafted Brandon Graham to add to the pass rush
- Mikell was the leading tackler with 91
- Trent Cole led the team in sacks with 12.5
- Team had a total of 44 sacks
- Asante Samuel was again a ballhawk grabbing 9 interceptions
- Had a total of 25 ints. Also forced 15 fumbles. 40 total turnovers forced
Offensive Line
Analysis: This unit is in flux. The passing scheme and Donovan’s ability to escape pressure helps the sack numbers greatly. Philadelphia will be putting a patchwork line on the field in 2008. Only Jamaal Jackson returns with 16 starts last year. Getting Shawn Andrews back will help a great deal, but his bout with depression at the end of last summer and then his back injury that caused him most of the ’08 season linger as question marks. The eagles lost Tra Thomas to Free agency and Runyan just had micro fracture surgery (and is a free agent currently 4/1). If Reid and staff can patch this line together for production in the run game, it will be another notch on Reid’s HOF career belt. Winston Justice is a big question mark going into camp, but has the talent to surprise.
Offensive Scheme
Analysis: This team has gotten unbelievable production out of the pass game and running game under Reid and Mornhinweg. The run game was slowed a bit last year, but they have shown incredible efficiency in the run game over the last three years. They may not call as many run plays as most teams, but they have found a way to get more yards on the ground than most. Mornhinweg has had four Pro Bowl quarterbacks under his tutelage, Steve Young, Jeff Garcia as an OC in San Fran, Brett Favre as a QB Coach in GB, and now McNabb as the OC in Philadelphia. Granted, that is a very talented group of players, but he has done well showcasing their talents under his watch. The fact that Andy Reid has given up the reins on play calling to Mornhinweg speaks volumes about how bright this OC is. His head coaching experiment in Detroit was a disaster, but he is regarded as one of the best Offensive minds in the game today and he is doing what he does best again. Though Philly brass preaches a balanced attack on the ground and in the air, the numbers show that they like to make their hay in the air.
Major Off-Season Moves
May 4, 2010
Signed G Greg Isdaner to a three-year contract.
April 29, 2010
Signed QB Kevin Kolb to a one-year contract extension.
April 27, 2010
Agreed to terms with DT Charles Alexander, WR Blue Cooper, G Zipp Duncan, QB Joey Elliott, OT Austin Howard, WR Kevin Jurovich, OT Jeraill McCuller, CB Josh Morris, CB David Pender, WR Pat Simonds and FB Chris Zardas.
April 19, 2010
Traded a 2010 fifth-round draft pick to Denver, who will send TE Tony Scheffler and a 2010 seventh-round draft pick to Detroit, who will send LB Ernie Sims to the Eagles.
April 15, 2010
Re-signed G Max Jean-Gilles to a one-year contract.
April 4, 2010
Traded QB Donovan McNabb to Washington for a 2010 second-round draft pick and a 2011 third- or fourth-round draft pick.
April 3, 2010
Traded CB Sheldon Brown and LB Chris Gocong to Cleveland for LB Alex Hall and 2010 fourth- and fifth-round draft picks.
March 31, 2010
Signed LB Omar Gaither to a one-year contract.
March 30, 2010
Re-signed CB Ellis Hobbs and LB Chris Gocong to one-year contracts.
March 22, 2010
Signed LB Akeem Jordan to a one-year tender offer.
March 18, 2010
Signed DE Darryl Tapp to a three-year contract. Released DE Darren Howard and WR Kevin Curtis.
March 17, 2010
Released G Shawn Andrews.
March 12, 2010
Signed WR Hank Baskett to a one-year contract.
March 11, 2010
Signed WR Chad Hall to a three-year contract.
March 10, 2010
Agreed to terms with DB Marlin Jackson on a two-year contract.
March 8, 2010
Agreed to terms with WR Jason Avant on a five-year contract.
March 5, 2010
Agreed to terms with FB Leonard Weaver on a three-year contract. Rreleased LB Will Witherspoon.
February 23, 2010
Released RB Brian Westbrook.
February 4, 2010
Named Phil Savage player personnel consultant.
February 3, 2010
Named Dick Jauron senior assistant/defensive backs coach.
February 3, 2010
Signed P Durant Brooks to a two-year contract.
January 29, 2010
Promoted Howie Roseman to general manager.
January 27, 2010
Named Barry Rubin head strength and conditioning coach and Ken Croner assistant strength and conditioning coach.
January 14, 2010
Fired special teams coach Ted Daisher. Named Bobby April special teams coordinator.
Strength of Schedule
We are firm believers that strength-of-schedule analysis is essential when ranking players at every position. We applied this system (without the 5% NFL draft impact) in hindsight to last year's schedule as we were curious how well it could work. The notable results were that Michael Turner and the Falcons had a #32 ranked (easiest) rush schedule last season and DeAngelo Williams and the Panthers were #30.
Our SoS considers three factors when determining rankings for schedules for the upcoming year:
80% weight is applied to the quality of defense from the previous year. We determine quality of defense based on fantasy points given up (run and pass). However, before we get to that number, we factor in the quality of teams that these defenses faced (basically a strength-of-schedule for the previous year). This was all done by hand. Let's just say our boy, Stitchface, has a bit of the carpal tunnel-syndrome going on.
15% weight is applied to Free-Agent movement. We ranked each free agent's impact to their former team (2008), and then ranked each team according to whether they added or lost talent overall.
5% weight is applied to the NFL draft impact. It's tough to gauge a rookie's effectiveness which is why we valued it so low. Certain teams not only drafted defensemen well in '09, but also will be sliding those guys into highly deficient positions from '08, and usually, anything is an upgrade when you are starting a rookie.
If you trust Stitchface's formula (and you will eventually), all you need to realize is the following... The higher the SoS number, the easier the fantasy schedule.
Ranking: 1=toughest 32=easiest
Breaking News
The average distance of DeSean Jackson’s first 10 touchdowns in 2009 (1 rushing & 2 punt returns included) was an unreal 61.3 yards per TD. expand +
Eagles release former All-Pro Brian Westbrook expand +
The Philadelphia Eagles decided to cut ties with former All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook and released him on Tuesday. Westbrook played his entire eight-year career with the Eagles and leaves the franchise ranking 1st in yards from scrimmage (9,785), 2nd in rushing yards (5,995), 3rd in rushing TDs (37), 3rd in receptions (426), 10th in receiving yards (3,790), and 10th in receiving TDs (29).
Pyro's Take:
Westy still has a ton of talent and can probably still produce at the NFL level, it just won't be for the Eagles. His injury woes are too concerning for the team's management at this point, so LeSean McCoy will get the chance in 2010 to take over for Westbrook as the starting RB of the future.
The 30-year old running back has already stated that he will not be retiring, so we'll see where the multi-talented RB shows up soon enough.
Westy retiring? expand +
Philly radio host Howard Eskin reported this weekend that Brian Westbrook may retire this offseason and not because of the multiple concussion problem. It's his left knee - something that has nagged him for the last couple seasons.
Pyro's Take:
He is due a hefty chunk 'o change next year - $7.5 million duckets to be exact. So I don't see him suiting up as a Eagle without a sizable pay cut. Depending on exactly how bad the knee is, I still think his receiving ability out of the backfield could add value to any team short on that talent - like the Patriots, Bears, Bengals, Redskins, Lions, Packers, and even the Colts.
Westy apparently not a good luck charm for the Eagles in '09 expand +
The Eagles were 7-1 in games Brian Westbrook did not play in and 4-5 in games he did play in.
Pyro's Take:
Coincidence? Nah. These numbers used to be reversed. I'm not willing to say that they went 7-1 just cuz he was on the bench, but the 4-5 line is what one needs to focus on, and you can bet your ass that the Eagles' brass is with a 7+ million bill for his contract in 2010. Expect Westy to accept a pay-cut or move on.
Westbrook comes through game just fine expand +
Eagles running back Brian Westbrook came through the Week 16 victory over the Broncos with no post-concussion symptoms after taking part in about 25 plays.
"He said he felt fine," coach Andy Reid said. "He doesn't lie to me."
Pyro's Take:
We'd expect about the same next week and possibly through the playoffs as the Eagles have been winning with and without Westy. If you have your fantasy Super Bowl next weekend, he's still not the greatest of plays for you.
Westbrook passes concussion test expand +
Eagles running back Brian Westbrook passed his concussion test with flying colors and will get some reps with the first team in practice this week as he prepares for his first game action since Week 10.
Pyro's Take:
It looks like Westy will be suited up for this weekend's game, but his playing time will definitely be limited. If you have to use him on your fantasy team this Sunday, don't expect more than fringe flex numbers.
Westbrook will be limited if he plays expand +
Eagles coach Andy Reid said yesterday that if running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) gives it a go on Sunday, he would not play the whole game.
"I think he'll be pretty fresh. He'll have fresh legs out there. Obviously he's not going to play the whole game. [We will] make sure we keep track of how many plays he plays, if it comes down to that," said Reid.
Pyro's Take:
We're still unsure of whether or not Westy will get in there this weekend, but if he does, you won't be able to use him on your fantasy team anyway due to his limited play. LeSean McCoy will also end up with less value due to his return.
Westbrook will return to practice Wednesday expand +
Eagles coach Andy Reid said on Monday that running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) will return to the practice field on Wednesday and that he expects the doctors to clear him for game action at some point this week.
"We'll know more here by tomorrow, but right now it looks pretty good," Reid said about Westbrook.
Pyro's Take:
Westy has been doing everything he can to come back from his second concussion of the season, and it looks like it might be about that time where he suits up again. However, even if he plays in Week 16, there's no way you could depend on him for your fantasy team as he'd likely be extremely limited in his touches.
Maclin expected back in practice this week expand +
According to Eagles coach Andy Reid, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (foot) is due back at practice this Wednesday.
Pyro's Take:
This is actually a bit shocking, but Reid did say last week that a torn plantar fascia should only be a 1-2 week injury, so maybe Maclin does his return to practice this Wednesday. We'll keep you posted on his progress as the info comes in.
Celek good to go for Week 15 expand +
Even though Eagles tight end Brent Celek (back, hand) is listed as questionable for the game on Sunday, coach Andy Reid said that he will be good to go against the 49ers this weekend.
Pyro's Take:
Celek is one of the top TEs in fantasy this year and shouldn't be benched just because he's a little dinged up. Make sure you have him in there.
Maclin ruled out for Week 15 expand +
Eagles rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (torn plantar fascia) is officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the 49ers.
Pyro's Take:
No surprise here. Just make sure to get him out of your fantasy lineup if you still had him in there for any reason. Bump Jason Avant up your rankings a bit as well.
Westbrook officially out for Sunday's game expand +
Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) was ruled out for the game against the 49ers this weekend.
Pyro's Take:
Westy must not have been given the green light from doctors yet. We can't see a situation where he would help your fantasy team at this point, so feel free to drop him if there is anyone else out there worth grabbing.
Westbrook still limited with scout team expand +
Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) was still being limited to working with the scout team on Wednesday, while coach Andy Reid also said that his neurological tests weren't quite where they need to be for the team to activate him, so the likelihood of Westbrook playing on Sunday is close to nil.
Pyro's Take:
Again, we'd be surprised if Westy makes it back before Week 17, which renders him basically useless in the playoffs for your fantasy team this year.
Celek not practicing Wednesday expand +
After playing through a sore back and bad thumb last Sunday, Eagles tight end Brent Celek will be taking the day off from practice on Wednesday. Coach Andy Reid also said that Celek will be fine for Sunday's game against the 49ers.
Pyro's Take:
Celek has become a must-start for fantasy owners, so Reid saying that he'll be playing Sunday is a relief. Make sure you keep him in your lineup for the playoffs.
Eagles not planning on Westbrook for Week 15 expand +
According to coach Andy Reid, the Eagles don't expect running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) to be back this week, so they will be game-planning as if he will not be in the lineup.
Pyro's Take:
It looks like Westy will be practicing with the scout team all week, so we're not expecting him to be back either. If he's worth anything for the rest of this fantasy football year, it will have to be in Week 16, which is likely your Super Bowl week.
