Defensive Line
The Eagles added some explosiveness on the defensive line with the addition of defensive end Jevon Kearse, who, if healthy, should give Philadelphia the pass rush they lacked from their line last year. Having played just 18 games over the last two seasons, however, leaves the Eagles with durability concerns. On the opposite end of the line, Jerome McDougle will most likely start over Derrick Burgess after missing most of his rookie season. McDougle’s size and strength make him a nice compliment to Kearse’s speed and quickness, and he adds to the pass rush with some skills of his own.
Corey Simon and Darwin Walker form one of the more formidable tandems in the league at defensive tackle and Reid will try to keep them fresh by rotating in Hollis Thomas and Paul Grasmanis. Simon is a Pro Bowl player with the ability to explode through the line and disrupt the offensive backfield. Walker is solid, although he can be inconsistent, and Thomas and Grasmanis are good wave players.
Linebackers
With the late addition of Jeremiah Trotter, Philadelphia will likely use a four-man rotation at linebacker which will include Trotter, Mark Simoneau, Nate Wayne, and former Giants defender Dhani Jones. Nate Wayne struggled on the weak side last year, but he will probably begin the season as the starter, while Simoneau and Trotter will share duties in the middle and Jones will man the strong side. Simoneau will likely stay in the middle in obvious passing situations, but slide to the weak side during obvious running situations with Trotter stepping into the middle.
Jones is replacing Carlos Emmons, who joined the New York Giants via fee agency, on the strong side, but I’m not sure he wouldn’t be a better fit on the weak side. However, he is probably the Eagles best option at the position, so a move is not likely. Ike Reese is a valuable backup who can fill in at all three positions.
Secondary
The Eagles took a chance that Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown are both ready to step into starting roles after allowing veteran cornerbacks Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent walk in the off-season. Sheppard has great speed and Brown has solid coverage skills, but their lack of experience is bound to have an impact on the team’s overall pass coverage. Expect more blown assignments and big plays to the outside until both youngsters gain more experience.
Second-year undrafted free agent Roderick Hood and rookie Matt Ware will play in nickel and dime formations, but their lack of experience compounds the Eagles concerns at cornerback.
Philadelphia’s lack of experience on the outside should be helped by a solid starting tandem at safety with Brian Dawkins, still one of the best in the league, and Michael Lewis, who is a hard hitter with good range. Clinton Hart will back up both positions and rookie J.R. Reed should see some spot duty.
Special Teams
The Eagles would like to go with a pair of rookies in the return game with Dexter Wynn, who has experience as a punt returner in college, taking the punt return duties, and Reed, who led the nation in kick off returns, manning the job as the primary kick returner. Backup running back Reno Mahe could also see time returning kicks if either of these guys struggle.
Placekicker David Akers is among the best in the league, but punter Dirk Johnson is inconsistent. He possesses a good leg, but struggled at times in ’03. He should be helped, however, by a very solid coverage squad.
