Positional Depth

[rjs246]

I am constantly berating teams like the taterskins for their lack of depth, but after watching and readin about the preseason games so far I wonder what the Eagles have to offer in terms of depth.

This is how I see it on offense and defense.

Offense
        QB
                 - Pro-bowl level starter, former pro-bowler as a backup
                 - GOOD DEPTH
        RB
                 - Unknown, but with health problems at the 1, 2, 3 and 5 spots this could be a lot of trouble. Assuming a healthy lineup, good depth. But who among us can assume that?
                 - POOR DEPTH
        WR
                 - An unproven #1, an undrafted rookie #2. Hot garbage backing up.
                 - TERRIBLE DEPTH
        TE
                 - Quality starter. Quality Backup
                 - GOOD DEPTH
        OL
                 - Pro-bowl level starters. Youth size and talent at backup.
                 - GOOD DEPTH

Defense
        DL
                 - Former pro-bowl level starters, youth and ability across the line.
                 - GOOD DEPTH
        DB
                 - Pro-bowl level starters, capable nickle and dime backs.
                 - GOOD DEPTH
        LB
                 - One Pro-bowl lever starter who can't play the pass. Two unproven possibly awful starters. The bakcups can't beat out the terrible starters.
                 - TERRIBLE DEPTH


I would say that the majority of the team has good depth. The problem is that the positions that don't have depth, have ABSOLUTEY nothing to fall back on. What happens if Westbrook, Trotter or Brown get injured?

[phattymatty]

so let me get this straight, you're nervous about the RB situation?  since when?


PS - Don't ever call Hank hot garbage again.  He's the savior.

[Rome]

If McNabb goes down, the season is over.

The team can sustain a hit here or there at every other position (except maybe to Akers) and still be a good team.  Obviously it can't take a whole lot because it's thin at a lot of spots, but if McNabb goes down, it's over.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

Reggie Brown is a Pro Bowler, and since I am projectioning him to be bionic, he his made of titanium and unable to sustain injury. Oh, he regenerates people around him too.

[The BIGSTUD]

I don't think Eagles have any less depth than anyone else. There are plenty of teams that don't have good depth. Just look in the division.

taterskins are screwed if at the certain positions if Portis, Moss, Samuels, Jansen, Washington go down.

The Cowboys are screwed if TO, Witten, Fabini, Adams, Ware, Spears go down.

The Giants are screwed if Burress, Eli, Pierce, Shockey, Tiki, Umenyiora go down.

Pretty much most NFL teams are screwed if their best players get hurt at any position. Not many teams have all this superstar depth. Some teams have better depth than others, but I don't think it's significant. Although I haven't looked at all 32 team's depth charts to find out 100%.

[reese125]

welcome to the majority of teams in the NFL RJ. if every team had a significant backup at the core skill positions when someone got hurt, there wouldnt be a worry in the world

but as we all know...the nfl is not a perfect world--but one plagued by injuries. Its a roll of the dice each year of which team gets pummeled with injuries and which one can survive it and push forward

[rjs246]

I don't think Eagles have any less depth than anyone else. There are plenty of teams that don't have good depth. Just look in the division.

Oh so you think the Eagles are in good shape going into the season? Weird.

[Sgt PSN]

The Patriots over the last 5 years are about the only team I can think of that was able to suffer injuries to key players and not notice a significant drop off in production from that position. 

Maybe I'm wrong, but perhaps the point rjs is getting at is that the depth on this team for each position is all or nothing.  It's either really good depth or poopy depth rather than being a little more even across the board. 

I'm sure that most other teams are like that as well but his post does illustrate a dramatic difference in depth for all the positions on this team. 

Regardless, you all suck. 

[rjs246]

Maybe I'm wrong, but perhaps the point rjs is getting at is that the depth on this team for each position is all or nothing.  It's either really good depth or poopy depth rather than being a little more even across the board. 

I'm sure that most other teams are like that as well but his post does illustrate a dramatic difference in depth for all the positions on this team. 

Yay, someone got it. Idiots.

[Drunkmasterflex]

I think you hit the nail on the head where they have depth it is good if not great for this day and age.....but where it is thin it is perilously thin, could you imagine on defense if Trot goes down.  He is our only bonafide playmaker at that position, if he went down it would be disastrous.

[reese125]

I dont understand whats the point of pointing this out. is this news to you guys. this is like saying dont eat yellow snow. if the majority of teams dont have significant depth, why should we concern ourselves then....to bring out more negativity? the chances are so slim to have that kind of player to replace the other

theres a reason why there is a change in the spread for each game when a major player goes down. its part of the game-- and as noted earlier....its a roll of the dice each year.

[Dillen]

        LB
                 - One Pro-bowl lever starter who can't play the pass. Two unproven possibly awful starters. The bakcups can't beat out the terrible starters.
                 - TERRIBLE DEPTH

I dont think its terrible death, there are alot of talented guys but they're extremely unproven and the other guys have proven they will be average at best. Dhani has looked a bit better in the preseason, but it is only preseason and you shouldnt get your hopes up. McCoy could turn out to be good. Barber is decent when healthy, Simoneau isnt very good and wont make any big plays but he's a decent 5th LB. Gaither looks to turn out well. Gocong has a lot of talent but there's no way he makes a decent impact this year other than STs.

[ice grillin you]

depth is incredibly overrated...every team is deep at one or maybe two spots and real thin at others

for the most part any team that loses some important players is going to be hurt

which is why id rather be the taterskins who pour dump trucks of money into their starters than i would the eagles who have 'depth' but also have two entire parts of their team (lb and wr) that are awful

[SD_Eagle5]

The real point here is that other teams 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stringers are absolutely destroying ours. I'm not sure if its coaching, drafting, or lack of reps in camp, but they're downright pathetic.

[ice grillin you]

a lot of it is the eagles drafts have been weak...they seem to be able to score a good pick here or there who starts or plays a lot for the team....but the rest of the picks are garbage...theres no in between...and its those in between players that make up your 2nd and third stringers

much of it is the eagles insistence on getting 'good guys' instead of athletes

musa smith vs reno mahe
devard darling vs matt ware
walter vs garcia

ect...