Welcome Total Sports Blog’s NFL Training Camp Previews. For the next 13 days we will continue to preview each team, and predict their records. The chances that we predict any of these records to be right drastically increases when Hook is writing the preview.
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Today’s Team: Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East)
2013 Record: 10-6, lost in NFC Wildcard game to New Orleans Saints
Passing Leader: Nick Foles 2891 YDS 27 TD 2 INT
Rushing Leader(s): LeSean McCoy 1607 YDS 9 TD
Receiving leader: DeSean Jackson 82 REC 1332 YDS 9 TD
Leading Tackler: DeMeco Ryans 102 Tackles
Sacks Leader: Trent Cole 8 Sacks
Int Leader: Brandon Boykin 6 INT
FA losses: Colt Anderson FS, Jason Avant WR, Patrick Chung GS, Kurt Coleman FS, Clifton Geathers DT, DeSean Jackson WR, Michael Vick QB
FA signings: Bryan Braman LB, Nolan Carroll CB, Andrew Gardner T, Malcolm Jenkins FS, Chris Maragos FS, Mark Sanchez QB
Unsigned FA: Joe Anderson WR
Draft Picks:
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| RD | PK(OVR) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26(26) | Marcus Smith | DE | Louisville |
| 2 | 10(42) | Jordan Matthews | WR | Vanderbilt |
| 3 | 22(86) | Josh Huff | WR | Oregon |
| 4 | 1(101) | Jaylen Watkins | – | Florida |
| 5 | 1(141) | Taylor Hart | DE | Oregon |
| 5 | 22(162) | Ed Reynolds | – | Stanford |
| 7 | 9(224) | Beau Allen | DT | Wisconsin |
The Eagles over-achieved in 2013 after Nick Foles took the helm, winning 10 games. Foles looked incredible at times, finishing the season with a league-high 119.2 Passer Rating, a 69 QBR, and a very impressive 27-2 TD/INT ratio. While WR Riley Cooper remained on the squad and even became a viable option in the passing game after the controversy over his racist remarks, the Eagles decided to let DeSean Jackson walk after rumors of alleged gang ties. With a healthy Jeremy Maclin and 2 rookie receivers left to fill the void, Foles is looking to build on last year’s success, but it won’t be easy.
Nick Foles looked completely lost in the Eagle’s first pre-season game against the Chicago Bears. Maybe Shady McCoy needs to share some of his Bounce dryer sheets for men so the QB can get his swagger back.
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Even though a lot of people are saying Foles’ performance in the first preseason game was an anomaly, I think the QB will struggle in 2014. I’m not convinced that Jeremy Maclin is 100% healthy. He’s battled injuries and mysterious illnesses throughout his career (to the extent where he had to explicitly say in an interview “I don’t have AIDS” a few years ago), and Riley Cooper isn’t a legit WR2. The Eagles’ rookie receivers will need time to adjust, and the NFC Least East isn’t as terrible as it was last year. While recently acquired RB2 Darren Sproles offers a new receiving weapon out of the backfield, he likely won’t get much playing time due to the fact that LeSean McCoy is an every-down back. Not to mention Foles will miss his favorite target DeSean Jackson, who will most likely burn the Eagles both times they face the Redskins. It’s quite obvious the success of this club rests heavily on the shoulders of RB Shady McCoy.
McCoy had 2146 all-purpose yards last season, and there’s no reason he can’t come close to (or improve) that number in 2014. If Shady stays healthy, the sky is the limit. I think the Eagles will miss former QB Michael Vick, too, as Mark Sanchez simply isn’t a viable back-up option in the NFL. If Foles goes down, the former Jet is likely to butt-fumble Philly to the bottom of the NFC. With too many question marks going into the 2014 season, I don’t think the Eagles will be playing in January.
Prediction: 7-9
