Is this a Superbowl caliber team? If not, what would make it one?

[MURP]

Superbowl or bust. 

[Geowhizzer]

Isn't it that way every year?

Unless you're the Cardinals. Or the Saints.

[MURP]

yep

[SunMo]

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

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

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.

[reese125]

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

[Magical_Retard]

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.

[The BIGSTUD]

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.

[reese125]

lets see...how should I respond to your thinking on that? Oh I know

[Don Ho]

usually I respond by finding a nice long rope, a high beam, a chair...........................

[phillywin2k5]

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.

[ice grillin you]

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

[mpmcgraw]

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.

[ice grillin you]

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 

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

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.