Looking ahead to 08

[Flying Dutchman]

Lets get away from all this fantasy trade stuff and examine the guys we've got. Who among our youngsters do you expect to take a significant step up in 08. For various reasons I have high hopes for
VA: Good College background, great Senior Bowl training week and game, good Eagles camp, good late season appearances.
Bunkley: Turned his career around and started to use his extraordinary talent. He has the strength to dominate the line of scrimmage. Methinks he has got it figured out and is about to start to take off. His bud that I train with has high, high hopes for him this year.
Celek: Has learned the system, has earned his bones on the field last year and has no pressure with LJ back this year. Could be the biggest surprise on the team.
Reed: I like this kid, always have and always will. He has moxie out the wazoo. He came back from hell and is about to go to heaven as he hits like a brick at Safety and will be an even better returner thiw year.
Rocca(NFL youth-based): He should settle down and take over his role. He has immense leg strength and this year the game slows down for him more than anyone else on the team. Rocca Rocks in 08!


In the return-to-form category I look for:
Dawkins: The consumate Pro. Dawk was not prepared nor was he focused last year. Methinks again, Dawk wants to go out in a blaze of glory and lets nothing stop him from his goal.
Reggie: Only one of the top 40 receivers in the NFL he is a very good #2. Sorry he didn't put up 90 recepts with an injured QB but watch out this year as he gets back on track. He has the physical skill, experience and now motivation to break out.
Herremans: Yeah some have written him off already. That is the worst call in football. This not-so-gentle giant was injured most of last year and now will be back to his pro-bowl level work of late 06. Todd is our starting LT as of 09.
And ,,,,,,da,,dah...da...dah...da...daaaa!!!!Donnie!As they say, "The last shall be first" I have seen every Iggles QB since One-Eyed Tommy Thompson in the 40s and Donnie is the best. End of discussion. He tried to come back too early last year and instead of lauding his effort many have highlighted his failure to do what very few have ever been able to do. But he came around and healed and given his fanatical off-season regimin he will be back and as good as ever. That is one hell of a high level.

Time is yours!!

[stevemc]

Re: Looking ahead to 08

FD - Like your enthusiasm. The only one I disagree with is Reed. I think he worked off of adrenaline last year but unless there are injuries, I don't think he'll have much opportunity to play with a healthy Dawkins and Considine back.

I think Jamaal Jackson will bounce back.

I think Gocong will emerge as more of an edge rusher and Stewart Bradley is going to quickly become a force in the middle.

[balto-eaglefan]

Re: Looking ahead to 08

I wonder how things look from inside these teams' locker rooms. As in, I wonder if anybody in the NFL expected that the Saints were going to have a big year in 2006, or that the Pack would have a big year in 2007........or if Terrell Owens cried (wasn't faking) after that playoff defeat because he knew that 2007 might have been his last, best chance for a SB ring, because there was no reason to think that Wade Phillips would hold that ship together for very long.

Or, if anybody in the NFL is saying, "Look out for the Eagles defense in 2008"?

[FRESH]

Re: Looking ahead to 08

I'm intrigued by Bradley a well. With the Spikes move, I really want to see our youth at LB flourish. I think we are gambling a bit, we need to see it pay off.

One I'm worried about is Bunkley. I know he came around, I guess I'm just worried about him falling back and resting on his laurels. He has obviously got that capacity. He could go either way, IMO. Become a dominant force, or fall into obscurity.

Reed - I KNOW how high you are on him, and I really like him too. Honestly I don't even think it's a lock he makes the final roster. Keep your fingers crossed.

Hunt - This is the year we shouldsee his role expand and find out what he's really got. Does he have legit NFL game, like Bucky, or is he destined to be another Moats that never finds a role...? Obviously I am hoping for the former.

Dawk - I agree, he is going to return with a vengeance.

McNabb - Ditto.

Avant - IF we don't sign a WR of consequence, I want to see his role increase.

Runyan - This is the year he drops off.........just a feeling.

Mikell - Good things coming from this kid.

Patterson will pick it back up, I agree.


Aw hell, why don't I just run down the whole roster!

[saratoga]

Re: Looking ahead to 08

I'm excited for the D front 7 to cause havoc this year. With VA and Bradley coming on strong, I think the D will be better than the Giants.

Like Fresh, I hope to see Hunt bring the goods this year. If he doesn't have what it takes, we will be nervous all season for Westy's good health.

[kcas31]

Re: Looking ahead to 08

Here are my two guys: Big Red and JJ.

With all of his family distractions I think Andy had a down year. There is no way I would have thought AR would have gone into the season without a punt returner. I think AR will be more than ready this year.

JJ now has all the components he needs to be a truly master schemer. He has a secondary who can cover (especially if they keep Lito) fast and agile LB's, edge rushers in Clemons and Cole plus solid DT's. he can mix and match with Clemons, Gocong and JT. He can send Bradley or Jordan. These two will make remarkably better in 2008. I know he needs some depth at the DT and one more DB but these are not difficult moves to make.