^ how do you think the eagles' game will differ this year than last year?
i like the look of san francisco and the patriots. the pats d looks better this year and they have brandon lloyd to throw to now, too.
go pats!
alasdair
1. DeSean Jackson finally got a new contract, should actually try this year
2. LaSean McCoy is coming off a breakout year, hes going to get better this year (id say hes top 3 rb already$
3. O-Line had a full year to gel (had some rookies) and will be better
4. Drafted a big DT to pair with Cullen Jenkins, with Trent Cole and Babin on the outside I like that d line
5. Traded for DeMeco Ryans, a very good ILB
6. Asomugh cant be that bad again this year as he was last year, unless he is a bust which I dont think is true
7. Michael Vick should have better protection this year (see point #3)
8. Andy Reid knows this is in all likelihood his last season unless he wins a super bowl (the grey area is if he wins 1 or two playoff games but not the SB, idk what that would entail id still fire him)
9. Had a rookie kicker last year that missed some crucial field goals (SF game), should be better he is supposed to be one of the best college kickers ever or something (I dont follow kickers like that)
10.Some distractions are gone ("Dream Team" moniker, DeSean contract, Asante Samuel)
11. The LB they drafted in the 2nd round could be a big upgrade, he is kind of undersized but time will tell
Really the only thing that got worse happened because Jason Peters (one of the best LTs in the league) is out for the year due to injury.
Basically everyone I talk to is looking at this season as Andys last chance at a SB. He has a full year to get these guys to gel and win and theres no excuse to not make the playoffs. So much talent on offense and the D is markedly better at their biggest weakness (run defense).
Keys to the season: Mike Vick doesnt miss more than 3-4 games, DeSean plays how he is capable (opens up the offense for everyone else), O line is reliable (doesnt have to be all-pro, vick is shifty, but he was getting stomped at the beginning of last year), and last but not least if Fletcher Cox and Mychael Kendricks (1st & 2nd rd draft picks) are capable-to-good players we will be a lot better on D.
It all hinges on Vick IMO. He regressed a bit last year and was hurt but I think he comes back with a big year. I was really getting into football when he was coming out of college and he is one of my favorite players to watch. Ive never seen anyone at the QB position as electric as him. Sure guys like Randall Cunningham, McNabb (the first
few years), Steve Young, and others are good at scrambling, but Vick is on another level. If they cut back on turnovers this offense is going to be top 5 in the league easily