The Starting Five

Following their loss in the NFC Championship Game, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb made it clear that the Eagles needed  more “weapons” in order for him to remain in Philly.

The Eagles were able to draft wide receiver Jeremy Maclin out of Missouri and Pittsburgh running back LeShon McCoy. The offensive line was bolstered with the free agent signing of Stacy

Andrews from the Cincinnati Bengals and used one of their two first round draft picks to acquire left tackle Jason Peters from the Buffalo Bills.

My focus today is on the Eagles’ wide receivers - who don’t happen to have a Larry Fitzgerald or an Anquan Boldin at their disposal. What they do possess in the way of depth, experience and explosiveness should prove to be an asset in the 2009 campaign.

I’ll open up by saying that my theory is shot to hell if running back Brian Westbrook misses any significant time this season.

DeSean Jackson or Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant, Hank Baskett, Jeremy Maclin and Reggie Brown - this is how I envision the Eagles receiving corp at this moment - provided Andy Reid goes into the season six deep. Spots three through six can pan out in a number of combinations but I believe it’s Avant’s to lose right now. There isn’t a definitive primary receiver, teams will game plan for Jackson after Westbrook, allowing the remainder of the field to open up for Curtis, Avant, Westbrook and tight end Brent Celek. I’m confident that Andy Reid and Co. will find ways to utilize Jackson’s speed in more ways this season.

Kevin Curtis is the other burner opposite Jackson, who when healthy can stretch the field as well. Last season, Curtis struggled with a sports hernia that hindered him for most of the year. In 2007, Curtis recorded 77 receptions for 1,110 yards and 6 touchdowns. In the NFC title game, Curtis pulled in four passes for 122 yards.  Although Curtis and Jackson occasionally work the middle of the field for the ball, both are best served as outside threats.

Jason Avant took advantage of injuries and ineffective play to establish himself as the Bird’s #3 receiver. Avant started out strong last season, catching eleven passes in his first four games for 126 yards, in the last 5 games of the season he recorded 16 receptions for 207 yards. My knock on Avant is how he disappears for a game or three, as McNabb’s number three option, Avant’s ability to remain consistent is vital to the success of the unit. Avant’s value comes in his ability to catch balls in the middle of the field, he also has the knack to make difficult catches in traffic.

Hank Baskett could be a 60 catch 750 yard receiver. But for some reason his focus doesn’t always seem to be there. Baskett has the tools to be an above average NFL receiver but his dropped passes, lack of consistency and overall production leave me frustrated. In an offense this pass happy, how can a sizable target like Baskett go incognito for long periods of time?  Week 3 against the Steelers he has 8 catches for 85 yards – the next two weeks; one reception for 10 yards against the Bears and Redskins respectively. Baskett’s season begins in training camp - and it may end there if he’s unable to convince the coaching staff that he that his consistency woes are behind him.

Rookie wide out Jeremy Maclin’s primary role will be in the  Eagles return game. Of course that was the role Jackson was penciled into last season until injuries to Curtis and Brown threw the young speedster into the fire – a blessing in disguise as Jackson enjoyed a great rookie season. Barring injuries, Maclin should be brought along at a decent pace and worked into the rotation.

Anything that Reggie Brown gives the Eagles this season (provided he’s here) will be an improvement – last year saw Brown go from the injured list (hamstring and groin) to being deactivated altogether. Brown either missed or went without a reception in 11 games last season, including the NFC Championship Game (deactivated). Brown’s season ended with 18 receptions for 252 yards and a touchdown. This isn’t what the Eagles had envisioned for Brown who is entering his 6th season out of the University of Georgia. It was only four seasons ago when Brown was being groomed to be the Bird’s future number one receiving option – today that burden falls to Maclin. Brown is a number two receiver at best, but his future status in Philly is uncertain as the Eagles normally go with five receivers. If they choose to go six deep, Brown would have to leapfrog at least three teammates to see significant time.

It is highly possible that Brown could be traded or released (less likely due to $3 million cap hit) if the Eagles choose to go with five receivers. I’m not sure that trading Brown is a wise choice if he has a productive camp/pre-season. At same time how much can you expect from Brown if he’s fourth or fifth on the depth chart.

I’m confident in the potential of the receiving corps this season, that’s something that I wasn’t able to say the past couple of years. The Eagles are blessed with three speedsters with good hands and the capability of gaining separation. What’s more, this opens up the running game and will allow Westbrook to work to the outside of the field.

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 at 5:51 pm and is filed under Blogroll. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.