Staley appears to be completely healed from what was described as a career-threatening injury, and has been running hard and breaking tackles throughout the preseason. Rookie Correll Buckhalter has looked fantastic in training camp also, and will see significant playing time as Staley's backup.

Veteran wide receivers Charles Johnson and Torrance Small were released and replaced by free agent James Thrash and rookie Freddie Mitchell. These two, along with Todd Pinkston and Na Brown, give the Eagles an unproven set of wide receivers. Tight end Chad Lewis will probably end up being McNabb's go-to guy when it's all said and done.

Last year, the Eagles were the only team in the league to start the same five offensive lineman in every game. This group also was the first to start every game for the Eagles since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. This season isn't starting out so good though, with the loss of starting center Bubba Miller. Miller, after suffering a fractured right ankle in the final preseason game, was placed on injured reserve and will miss the entire season.

The defense on this team is spectacular and should be among the best in the league this year. Defensive end Hugh Douglas and Tackle Corey Simon are among the best linemen, and the rest of the front four is solid, with depth all along the line. Rookie Derrick Burgess has looked very good in preseason workouts.

The linebackers and secondary are probably as good as any other team in league. Jeremiah Trotter has become one of the best middle linebackers in the game, and outside linebacker Carlos Emmons is very good also. The Eagles are blessed with one of the best threesomes in the league at cornerback, with Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor, and Al Harris smothering opposing receivers. Free safety Brian Dawkins is also one of the best in the NFC.

Overview

The Eagles are going to tear up the league with their defense this year. They are probably as solid a group as there is in the NFL from the line to the secondary. They can shut down the opposition's running game and they'll get after the quarterback, while thoroughly covering all of his options. The key to their success will be how well McNabb meshes with his new set of receivers. Staley gives the Eagles a legitimate threat to run the ball, but this team could be Super Bowl contenders if they can consistently move the ball through the air!