I hear a lot of people say that this Eagles team right now even with Stallworth isn't a Superbowl team. Assuming Westbrook stays healthy for most or all of the year and Buckhalter does too, people still don't think it's a Superbowl team.
So my question is pretty much this. If people don't think this is a Superbowl team with Westbrook staying healthy and even Buckhalter staying healthy, plus the acquisition of Stallworth, then what could be done to make this team a Superbowl caliber team? The biggest weakness I see left on the roster is SAM LB. Would replacing Dhani Jones with someone else really be the difference in bringing this team to that level? Would one player really change this team from a non-Superbowl team to a Superbowl team?
Even with that weakness at the SAM LB spot, is it really a sin to have one spot on a roster that isn't perfect? If you go through all the top NFC teams, do none of them have any weaknesses anywhere? I'm sure other teams have positions they'd love to upgrade also.
I think this is a Superbowl caliber team right now. I'm not buying tickets for Miami yet, because a lot has to go right, but I think we can be as good as anyone in the NFC this season.
This team is relying on traditionally injury prone players at key positions. And I'm not talking about someone who was injured once, years ago. I'm talking about a starting receiver who has been hurt almost every year, two running backs that ARE hurt every year and two DEs that get hurt repeatedly.
If that were the case at one position, I'm starting to see this as a much more competetive team. But with four positions of major importance having serious injury problems I'm not ready to commit.
Having said all of that, I like this offense a whole hell of a lot more with Stallworth than I did 2 days ago. And if the defense can build some momentum from the preseason or use last season as a reason to over-achieve, this is definitely a playoff caliber team now.
That is not something I would have said at this time last week.
That's the problem with this squad. It's not the Lions, who have no shot, and it's not Indy or NE, who have a great shot.
IF everyone stays healthy, they've got as good a shot as anyone. But it could go south quick with one of two injuries. Hence, the nail biting and drinking.
Quote from: rjs246 on August 30, 2006, 07:08:15 PM
This team is relying on traditionally injury prone players at key positions. And I'm not talking about someone who was injured once, years ago. I'm talking about a starting receiver who has been hurt almost every year, two running backs that ARE hurt every year and two DEs that get hurt repeatedly.
If that were the case at one position, I'm starting to see this as a much more competetive team. But with four positions of major importance having serious injury problems I'm not ready to commit.
Having said all of that, I like this offense a whole hell of a lot more with Stallworth than I did 2 days ago. And if the defense can build some momentum from the preseason or use last season as a reason to over-achieve, this is definitely a playoff caliber team now.
That is not something I would have said at this time last week.
Don't forget that the QB is often injured.
Quote from: General_Failure on August 30, 2006, 07:32:48 PM
Quote from: rjs246 on August 30, 2006, 07:08:15 PM
This team is relying on traditionally injury prone players at key positions. And I'm not talking about someone who was injured once, years ago. I'm talking about a starting receiver who has been hurt almost every year, two running backs that ARE hurt every year and two DEs that get hurt repeatedly.
If that were the case at one position, I'm starting to see this as a much more competetive team. But with four positions of major importance having serious injury problems I'm not ready to commit.
Having said all of that, I like this offense a whole hell of a lot more with Stallworth than I did 2 days ago. And if the defense can build some momentum from the preseason or use last season as a reason to over-achieve, this is definitely a playoff caliber team now.
That is not something I would have said at this time last week.
Don't forget that the QB is often injured.
Go cry in your King Koybra some more.
A BANNING!
Just be sure to report that G-F character to the moderators for his meanness before you ban anyone.
Quote from: FFatPatt on August 30, 2006, 09:12:32 PM
Just be sure to report that G_F character to the moderators for his manneans before you ban anyone.
Fixed.
Eagles get a rematch with the Panthers in the NFC Championship game. Winner TBD
Capable of getting to the Super Bowl? Not this year. Until we get a stud RB that can take and dish out the punishment in December I don't see it. If birds make the playoffs that will be a successful season. If they win one playoff game I think they will have surpassed everyone's expectations and will truly have something to build on.
a lot of things go into being a superbowl team. injuries being the main...both on ur own team and on others. from now till the end of the season we dont know what will happen but some teams predicted to dominate wont and some predicted to suck will be good. as much as talent has to do with it, a lot as we all know is injuries.
now hypothetically if we do not have any injuries i believe we are a superbowl team. at WR, while we dont have a TO/Steve Smith/Chad Johnson calibur #1 WR, we do have a have a grp which I believe is pretty talented. there isnt this pressure on r. brown to somehow become an elite WR right away. Stallworth has a chance to continue on his steadily improving #s and work with a elite QB and possibly become a good-great #1. then we have hank baskett, avant, gaffney, and mccants. not a bad grp. add in LJ at TE and Westbrook into the passing game and we have a pretty capable passing attack.
as for the running game, remember im assuming no injuries, i believe westbrook is a great RB. we have a able backup in Buck and Moats in what lil time he had last yr showed himself to be westbrook like with his speed and ability to break the big one. is it the greatest grp? no. but again like the WR corp i tihnk we are more than capable of running the ball if there are no injuries.
im not going to get into mcnabb.
defensibly the line and 2ndary im comfortable about and the LB im not. overall if we take out injuries from the equation i think our only glaring weakness is the LB corps.
I will consider the year a failure if we don't get to the Superbowl. Considering we are as good as anyone in the NFC.
If Westbrook or McNabb goes down, they will get a pass though.
As good as this team looks on paper there are two games each against the other teams in the NFC East. Those are big games and I don't think the Eagles can sweep any of them. This year could still go either way...
They may not sweep anyone in the division with those three straight road games near the end of the season.
Washington Dallas and NY Oh my...
Maybe we could at least sweep Washington...
Superbowl or bust.
Isn't it that way every year?
Unless you're the Cardinals. Or the Saints.
yep
the linebackers are going to be a problem this year. but IF the key guys stay healthy, i don't know why they can't at least make a run at going to the SB
Quote from: MURP on August 31, 2006, 09:10:24 AM
Superbowl or bust.
Yeah, but I felt that way even before I thought it was feasibly possible. In the last few months, I've gotten reassured about a few things that I was concerned about:
--Akers is looking money again. Not having him or not having him healthy was a big problem last year, both on FG's/XP's and on kickoff coverage and field position.
--Garcia has settled a bit and looks to be a somewhat valid #2. Considering he's been injured quite a bit of late, getting Feeley as a possibly-adequate #3 is a good move. Donovan is still the franchise and any extended absense pretty much guarantees that the Super Bowl is out of reach, but the team should be competitive if he goes down for a game or two.
--Stallworth is a great addition to the offense. Considering how much Andy loves to pass the ball, the WR's were certainly not "fine". They were one Reggie Brown injury away from absolutely abysmal.
--The defensive line is looking even better than initially advertised. Darren Howard is looking like a possible team defensive MVP. The best pure pass rusher on the team might not even be a starter (Cole). If these guys can stay healthy, watching the Eagles defense will be fun again.
However, the following things will have to play out well for this team to have any shot at the Super Bowl:
--Westbrook AND Buckhalter will have to stay healthy, for the most part. Moats has not progressed enough in pass protection and cannot hold on to the ball. Perry, who probably won't make the team anyway, is always nicked up and also cannot hold on to the ball. If Reno Mahe sees the field on offense more than 1 or 2 plays a game, this team's in a bad way.
--Speaking of Reno, the kick and punt return games have looked pedestrian at times and downright atrocious at others. Teams don't get to or win Super Bowls without above average production on special teams, so the Eagles will absolutely have to find an answer there.
--The secondary has no excuses with the DL back strong and will have to regain their form of 2004. Lito looked bad last year even when healthy, and everyone got burned for big plays at least a few times.
the only reason this thread was even made, and anybody can even say the words "super bowl" was for one reason and one reason only"
Donte Stallworth
-forget the 2 preseason games on both sides of the ball-- they showed progression, but hardly enough to mention Superbowl
-absolutely amazing what one aquisition can do to a psyche. Im not even close to saying Superbowl/or should I say successful playoff run-- unless I see that defense get to Jim Johnsons magic numbers of yards allowed and points scored against. Then, its all about injuries
Quote from: FFatPatt on August 31, 2006, 09:51:38 AM
Quote from: MURP on August 31, 2006, 09:10:24 AM
Superbowl or bust.
Yeah, but I felt that way even before I thought it was feasibly possible. In the last few months, I've gotten reassured about a few things that I was concerned about:
--Akers is looking money again. Not having him or not having him healthy was a big problem last year, both on FG's/XP's and on kickoff coverage and field position.
--Garcia has settled a bit and looks to be a somewhat valid #2. Considering he's been injured quite a bit of late, getting Feeley as a possibly-adequate #3 is a good move. Donovan is still the franchise and any extended absense pretty much guarantees that the Super Bowl is out of reach, but the team should be competitive if he goes down for a game or two.
--Stallworth is a great addition to the offense. Considering how much Andy loves to pass the ball, the WR's were certainly not "fine". They were one Reggie Brown injury away from absolutely abysmal.
--The defensive line is looking even better than initially advertised. Darren Howard is looking like a possible team defensive MVP. The best pure pass rusher on the team might not even be a starter (Cole). If these guys can stay healthy, watching the Eagles defense will be fun again.
However, the following things will have to play out well for this team to have any shot at the Super Bowl:
--Westbrook AND Buckhalter will have to stay healthy, for the most part. Moats has not progressed enough in pass protection and cannot hold on to the ball. Perry, who probably won't make the team anyway, is always nicked up and also cannot hold on to the ball. If Reno Mahe sees the field on offense more than 1 or 2 plays a game, this team's in a bad way.
--Speaking of Reno, the kick and punt return games have looked pedestrian at times and downright atrocious at others. Teams don't get to or win Super Bowls without above average production on special teams, so the Eagles will absolutely have to find an answer there.
--The secondary has no excuses with the DL back strong and will have to regain their form of 2004. Lito looked bad last year even when healthy, and everyone got burned for big plays at least a few times.
QFT
i forgot about special teams. we were pretty bad in returning and covering last yr. were bad in everything last yr. i see improvement in covering punts and kicks but we still dont have that one guy who is a threat returning punts and kicks. if they put stallworth back there than yeah but then u risk losing ur top WR to injury by playing him 2 positions. still it has been done and could be done again. i would love to have stallworth return punts/kicks. is it going to be mahe and reed with the returning duties? i much rather have reed do it. he runs fast. mahe doesnt run fast. simple.
Quote from: reese125 on August 31, 2006, 11:56:00 AM
the only reason this thread was even made, and anybody can even say the words "super bowl" was for one reason and one reason only"
Donte Stallworth
-forget the 2 preseason games on both sides of the ball-- they showed progression, but hardly enough to mention Superbowl
-absolutely amazing what one aquisition can do to a psyche. Im not even close to saying Superbowl/or should I say successful playoff run-- unless I see that defense get to Jim Johnsons magic numbers of yards allowed and points scored against. Then, its all about injuries
Even without Stallworth, anything other than a Superbowl trip is a big disappointment for me.
lets see...how should I respond to your thinking on that? Oh I know
(http://www.drugs-plaza.com/pictures/funny/big%20weed_th.jpg)
usually I respond by finding a nice long rope, a high beam, a chair...........................
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Knot-hangmans-noose.jpg/250px-Knot-)
at this point to make this a Superbowl team 2 things:
Westbrook stay healthy 14 of 16 games and be ready for the post season
OLBs pick up the slack when the DLine cant get pressure on the QB. The DLine should be dominant but need the OLBs to cover the TE and outside runners.
the offensive line from center to LT is a pretty big concern...herremans has struggled at guard as expected...tra is injury waiting to happen and whos knows about jackson...he cant be worse than hank but is being better than that good enough
the defense is overrated and as i have said before its a more middle of the pack d than a top ten or five d like a lot of people are prediciting
in the end no way is this team a superbowl team...they might not even be a playoff team in this division...they are on the cusp of being one of the teams in the mix for a superbowl and can get in that group for 07 with a good offseason
I am not worried so much about Thomas. Even if he does go down I have a lot of confidence in Justice.
Herremans worries me and the reports that MGJ has not looked good definitely do not make me feel better.
I am not worried so much about Thomas. Even if he does go down I have a lot of confidence in Justice.
if winston justice has to play left tackle in any meaningful games this year then the season just went (http://www.ttkool.ut.ee/aef/pics/hindenburg.jpg)
Marty was non-committal earlier this week when asked if he would plug in Justice or move out Herremans and put in Fraley at guard. Frankly, it sounded like he was leaning towards the latter.
Well thats.............not good.
Yeah, it's awful that he might be more comfortable plugging in an experienced veteran into the middle of the OL rather than a rookie protecting the QB's blind side. Awful! Justice is a bust!
yeah i cant imagine they wouldnt move herremans outside were tra to go down...justice is going to be real good one day but hes not ready to play yet...not even close
I probably wasnt being realistic, but when they drafted him I figured he would be able to step in at either T when needed and be an effective replacement.
hes super raw...he needs to learn for a year and come to camp next year and fight for a starting position....i wouldnt be opposed to throwing him in there late were the season to go down the tubes...but not if the games count no way
Why do people not understand that most NFL rookies are on a severe learning curve?
Plus, Justice was one of those high-ceiling guys but very *raw* (as IGY said) coming out of USC early. Why do you think he dropped as far as he did? Sure, part of it was character, but the other part is that he could be a colossal bust. Frankly, with the right coaching, he should be quite good - but not this year.
Yeah, this team probably isn't ready to be anointed a SB team, but I'll still be disappointed when(if) they don't get there.
better head to Superfresh and stock up on some Puffs than
Nah, I'll only cry if they win it. I'll just get drunk when they don't.
Graduate Hospital will be pumping your stomach big time