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TREVOR LAWS, defensive tackle
After suffering some bumps and bruises and aches and pains in the preseason and early in the season, Trevor Laws
settled in as the team's third defensive tackle and played better and better each week. A hard worker with a great attitude, Laws has a good burst and strength off the ball. He learned quickly what line coach Pete Jenkins wanted from him. Laws wasn't spectacular by any means, but he made strides.
If you want an accurate gauge of where Laws is where he might be, compare Laws in his season to that of Brodrick Bunkley, a first-round pick in 2006. Bunkley was a washout that season and many wondered if he would ever make the jump. Two seasons later, Bunkley is on his way to being a dominating tackle.
Laws has a very bright future. He needs to improve in a lot of areas, but he has the right work ethic to gain strength and better his technique. He, Bunkley and Mike Patterson give the Eagles an excellent three-man rotation at tackle.
DeSEAN JACKSON, wide receiver
Perhaps the most important and impressive part of DeSean Jackson's outstanding rookie season was not measured in his numbers. Yeah, he led the Eagles with 62 receptions for 912 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season, and Jackson came back wit 11 catches for 207 yards and a score in the playoffs, and his speed and natural ability as a return man revitalized the punt return game. Jackson was just outstanding in every phase of the game as a rookie.
At this level, though, with all the doubts about his attitude and his lack of bulk, many doubted how durable Jackson could be and who willing he would be to do the little things to make it in the NFL.
Jackson passed the test with flying colors.
He started every game, he made every practice, he played with pain and he worked through the exhaustion of three preseason games, 16 regular-season games and three more playoff games. The Eagles ran Jackson hard and they demanded a lot out of him, and Jackson never backed down. He has huge football IQ and is going to be even more devastating when he becomes more experienced at this level and as he gains some strength.
Jackson's off-season agenda is pretty simple: Take things up even higher on a physical conditioning level. Instead of spending the next two months preparing for the draft, Jackson can get ready for the team's conditioning program and refine even further his speed, burst and change of direction.
The Eagles are going to count on Jackson for even more next year, so he needs to be ready for the attention from defenses and the high expectations from the coaches, media and fans. Jackson is something special, as long as he keeps on the same course with hard work and dedication to the game. There is no doubt Jackson loves the game. That much is obvious when he plays. You see it. He has a joy for the game and that will never go away.
BRYAN SMITH, defensive end
The third-round pick saw exactly no action all season. He practiced with the team, going through the individual drills and then working with the scout team, and then Bryan Smith stood on the sidelines each week. At an extremely crowded position, Smith was a bystander. He did his work on the side, bulked up to 244 pounds, and took all the mental reps on Sundays.
Smith shined at the tail end of the preseason and the Eagles have high hopes for him. He faces a critical off-season as he attempts to wedge his way into the rotation at end. The Eagles already have Trent Cole, Juqua Parker, Chris Clemons, Victor Abiamiri and Darren Howard, so where does Smith figure in next year?
That's up to him. He needs to continue to get stronger and work on his technique and his recognition at this level. The burst is there. The speed is evident, and Smith's natural pass-rushing ability is a plus.
Year 2 is a key one for Smith, of course. The Eagles have great, great depth at the position, but they could certainly use another top-shelf defensive end.
After suffering some bumps and bruises and aches and pains in the preseason and early in the season, Trevor Laws
settled in as the team's third defensive tackle and played better and better each week. A hard worker with a great attitude, Laws has a good burst and strength off the ball. He learned quickly what line coach Pete Jenkins wanted from him. Laws wasn't spectacular by any means, but he made strides.If you want an accurate gauge of where Laws is where he might be, compare Laws in his season to that of Brodrick Bunkley, a first-round pick in 2006. Bunkley was a washout that season and many wondered if he would ever make the jump. Two seasons later, Bunkley is on his way to being a dominating tackle.
Laws has a very bright future. He needs to improve in a lot of areas, but he has the right work ethic to gain strength and better his technique. He, Bunkley and Mike Patterson give the Eagles an excellent three-man rotation at tackle.
DeSEAN JACKSON, wide receiver
Perhaps the most important and impressive part of DeSean Jackson
's outstanding rookie season was not measured in his numbers. Yeah, he led the Eagles with 62 receptions for 912 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season, and Jackson came back wit 11 catches for 207 yards and a score in the playoffs, and his speed and natural ability as a return man revitalized the punt return game. Jackson was just outstanding in every phase of the game as a rookie.At this level, though, with all the doubts about his attitude and his lack of bulk, many doubted how durable Jackson could be and who willing he would be to do the little things to make it in the NFL.
Jackson passed the test with flying colors.
He started every game, he made every practice, he played with pain and he worked through the exhaustion of three preseason games, 16 regular-season games and three more playoff games. The Eagles ran Jackson hard and they demanded a lot out of him, and Jackson never backed down. He has huge football IQ and is going to be even more devastating when he becomes more experienced at this level and as he gains some strength.
Jackson's off-season agenda is pretty simple: Take things up even higher on a physical conditioning level. Instead of spending the next two months preparing for the draft, Jackson can get ready for the team's conditioning program and refine even further his speed, burst and change of direction.
The Eagles are going to count on Jackson for even more next year, so he needs to be ready for the attention from defenses and the high expectations from the coaches, media and fans. Jackson is something special, as long as he keeps on the same course with hard work and dedication to the game. There is no doubt Jackson loves the game. That much is obvious when he plays. You see it. He has a joy for the game and that will never go away.
BRYAN SMITH, defensive end
The third-round pick saw exactly no action all season. He practiced with the team, going through the individual drills and then working with the scout team, and then Bryan Smith
stood on the sidelines each week. At an extremely crowded position, Smith was a bystander. He did his work on the side, bulked up to 244 pounds, and took all the mental reps on Sundays.Smith shined at the tail end of the preseason and the Eagles have high hopes for him. He faces a critical off-season as he attempts to wedge his way into the rotation at end. The Eagles already have Trent Cole, Juqua Parker, Chris Clemons, Victor Abiamiri and Darren Howard, so where does Smith figure in next year?
That's up to him. He needs to continue to get stronger and work on his technique and his recognition at this level. The burst is there. The speed is evident, and Smith's natural pass-rushing ability is a plus.
Year 2 is a key one for Smith, of course. The Eagles have great, great depth at the position, but they could certainly use another top-shelf defensive end.
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