Prior Previews
Depth Chart
For the 2nd straight year, the QB version of this chart looks very different from the year prior. Last year was supposed to usher in the Kevin Kolb era and Michael Vick was still a complete unknown. But after Clay Matthews KO’d Kolb in Week 1 (where he was playing horribly) and Vick led a miraculous comeback, and followed it up with a solid start – the Kolb era ended before it began.
Once again, the Eagles have a starter-caliber back-up in Vince Young. And as has been the case in almost every Eagles season I can remember, expect him to start at least one game.
LeSean McCoy enjoyed a breakout year last year and is in prime position for another huge season. Ronnie Brown was signed as a bigger back-up and Dion Lewis has shown some flashes in the pre-season.
Most Important Player - Michael Vick
This is an easy one. Vick has his best year as a QB last year and the Eagles were 8-2 in games he started. In my opinion, the entire season hinges on two things — first, can Vick stay healthy? and second…
Biggest Question
Is Michael Vick really as good as he looked last year?
Vick returned as the most electrifying players in the NFL last year, combining his rare play-making ability with a new-found throwing accuracy.
The question for me is – can he replicate that success in Year 2?
Here is what has me a bit worried…
In his final 2 starts of last season (MIN, GB, both losses), Vick at times reverted back to “bad” Vick of his Falcons days. His accuracy struggled (57%) and he threw costly picks (only 2, but probably should have had more). Was that just happenstance? Was it Vick getting too confident and reverting to his old ways? Or, what might be more likely, were defenses able to identify weaknesses they could exploit after finally having some tape to watch of this “new” Vick?
People who scout football and have watched Vick’s every snap (both Football Outsiders and Scouts’ Inc) commented either during the season last year, or during this off-season, that Vick wasn’t quite as good as he looked. FO (I can’t find the article) pointed out that Vick was extremely lucky to not have a lot more picks and that the luck would likely even out at some point.
Scouts Inc. ranked Vick as only the 9th best QB in the league going into this season, just barely in top-third of the league.
It’s certainly possible that another year under Andy Reid could actually result in a better season from Michael Vick, but consider me at least somewhat skeptical that Vick wasn’t quite as good as he looked last year. I certainly hope that’s just the pessimist in me.
Division Ranking
1. Philadelphia
Despite my concerns mentioned above, I’d still take Vick by a hair over Eli Manning for this year and McCoy by a hair over Bradshaw.
2. New York
I would imagine a lot of Eagles fans would put a lot more space than me between Vick/McCoy and Manning/Bradshaw.
3. Dallas
Romo missed most of last year, but remains a solid QB with good accuracy and play-making ability. However, he still has a tendency to suddenly lose that accuracy at the worst possible moments. Jones will be the feature back for the first time in his career. He’s got the talent, but will he have the durability?
4. Washington
Whether it’s John Beck or Rex Grossman, the Redskins are easily last in this category. Hightower could put up some good numbers
Final Thoughts
Since I talked so much about Vick above, I’m going to briefly mention McCoy down here. Let’s take a quick look at McCoy’s 2nd season vs. his predecessor Brian Westbrook’s 2nd year.
Similar averages, more usage and 2 years younger for McCoy. You could easily argue that McCoy was running behind a much weaker OL. Not saying that McCoy will be able to duplicate Westbrook’s fantastic career, but he’s off to a great start.
I’d definitely put Romo and Felix over whatever the Giants can put on the field. Eli Manning has been voted the league’s most overrated player (by his peers) two years running. Romo has looked great in the preseason. Jacobs is a big back and isn’t getting any younger, and Eli’s constant desperation throws result in turnovers. Plus he coughs up more balls than my cat after a long bathing session. He accounted for 30 turnovers on his own last year. Blame the receivers for tipped pass if you will, but maybe the balls wouldn’t be tipped if they were actually thrown in the proper spot. Eli LOOOVVESSS the fadaway pass, and ever since Plax left that just hasn’t flown.