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Preview of the upcoming season...Justin Boylan 8-29-10 The 2010 NFL season is close to two weeks away, and I'm about as ready as Matt Damon back at the underground poker table at the end of Rounders. Last year the Eagles got beat. More specifically, twice by the freaking Dallas Cowboys, the Birds went all in and were pushed out empty handed leaving Eagles fans with shock on their faces and a sour taste in their mouths (I'm over it, I swear). This time the Eagles are back at the table reloaded with chips, some of them just look a little different. Time flies, and with an exciting offseason like the one we just had I cannot believe a fresh season is already upon us. From the McNabb trade to the train wreck that was Tiger Woods' return, from the Flyers fighting for Lord Stanley's Cup to the Celtics-Lakers Part XII, there has been one thing after another to keep our short attention spans occupied and our minds off the game of football (not to mention, although this is me mentioning, the unbelievably good March Madness, the Phillies season which has turned into an nail biting race with the Braves that will most definitely come down to the final regular season series, and a new season of Jersey Shore). But all that is in the past (except for the Phillies, first pitch is at 7:05 p.m.) and that feeling in the pit of your stomach, that's football! Its back, welcome it. Through two preseason games it's hard to tell what the Eagles have here. The first game against the Jacksonville Jaguars was far from a test of one's team. The first-string defense was out there for six plays and forced two three-and-outs, the offense looked good considering it was the first time they were playing together for real (preseason, even when it's for real it isn't). Kevin Kolb completed 6 of 11 passes for 95 yards, but when the Eagles got down to the red zone they had problems breaking into the end zone. The same thing went wrong against the Bengals; Kolb was 11-for-17, had 126 yards but left the game without putting up six. In the first two preseason games David Akers kicked and converted eight field goals, five of them coming before halftime. That might be good if Akers is your starter in fantasy football, but on the real gridiron we need touchdowns. The bright spot this season could very well be the defense for the first time since Brian Dawkins left the nest. Trent Cole has some help on the defensive line in rookie Brandon Graham bringing some extra heat into the backfield. A healthy Stewart Bradley and a happy-to-be-here Ernie Sims will make the Eagles better against the run and give Sean McDermott the ability to bring linebackers off the edge knowing the pressure will likely reach the quarterback. The Eagles last line of defense will have the most to prove in stopping the big play and keeping the opponent's passing game in check. Against the Bengals the Eagles secondary did force two interceptions by Carson Palmer but T.O. had a big catch down the sideline and Chad Ochocinco made a catch, with Ellis Hobbs all over him, near the sideline and simply shook Hobbs off him as he tiptoed out of bounds. The point being, the biggest player we have in the secondary is Nate Allen at 6'1, and he's a rookie starting the year at free safety. The Eagles have undersized corners that could be vulnerable against bigger receivers (and who are we kidding? Every team has a big, physical wide out, they are multiplying like bunnies) and running backs like Cedric Benson who will hit you backwards if you don't wrap him up and take him down. Still ESPN has the Eagles D ranked second among fantasy defenses behind the Jets, that's got to count for something right? The sun has risen on the new Eagles offense, but the problems seem to remain the same. (It has to be too soon to say the offense has got problems. I mean the season hasn't even STARTED yet. Whatever, it's been said.) Kolb looked good operating in the middle of the field; he makes quick decisions, finds his guys, and makes a point of putting the ball where his receivers can go get it. However, in the red zone, where the windows get a little smaller and the little mistakes become big ones, Kolb still needs some work. The difficulties with short yardage situations go back to the McNabb era and they resurfaced in Cincinnati. It comes down to the middle of the offensive line and their ability to move those defensive tackles backwards. The Eagles are looking to get Todd Herremans and Jamaal Jackson back sooner rather than later, but until then whoever is playing center or guard needs to turn it up because defenses are going to put pressure up the middle all day with little trouble making Kolb into scrambled eggs. Let's get to the schedule, last season I correctly guessed the Eagles would finish 11-5, no I'm not bragging. Did you read that last sentence, or did you skip it? I'll repeat: the Eagles went 11-5 last season, just like I said they would (seriously, no bragging). The expectations have been lowered by most people who have seen what the Birds have showed so far, including myself, and to be honest we still don't know what this team will do come September 12. I'm not saying it's going to be pretty, actually I don't know what it's going to be. How's that for confidence. The Eagles start the season with a home game against the Packers then two road games, first at Detroit then Jacksonville. I was down the shore with a buddy of mine near the end of July and in between games of paddleball we made Super Bowl picks, he said Jets-Saints and I said Patriots-Packers (Tom Brady's new long hair and a healthy Wes Welker, plus Aaron Rodgers has become my favorite non-Eagle in the league). So that doesn't bode well for the Eagles opener, even if they are wearing those beautiful Kelly green throwbacks. I'd be crazy to believe the Eagles will lose either of those first two road games considering the Jags looked worse than we did, and even though the Lions aren't “I'm-going-to-throw-up” awful anymore they will still make your stomach ache, a 2-1 start. McNabb, Shanahan, and Haynesworth (most likely two out of three will be there) come to Philly in week 4 in the Eagles first divisional game of the season. After that it's in San Fran to play to the 49ers, and then back home verses the Falcons. The Eagles and Redskins should split this year, so you can decide which one the Birds pick up. In a world where my predictions come true (2009, 11-5) the Eagles drop the home game but all will be well on November 15, when we spoil the Redskins Monday night in Washington. Last season the Eagles beat the 49ers 27-13 and the Falcons 34-7, but what does that mean? It's a new team, right? It could happen, but I will never pick Alex Smith to beat the Eagles in a football game, and against the Falcons it was Vick who had the biggest day with two touchdowns (one rushing, one to Brent Celek). Give me both of them. That puts us at 4-2, those of you still reading this. The schedule starts to get brutal. The Eagles are in Tennessee before their week 8 bye and home against the Colts a week later. Yes, Andy Reid always does a good job following the bye week, but the Eagles will lose to Indy (I actually can't remember a time the Eagles ever beat Manning and the Colts, they lost 35-13 in 2002 and 45-21 in '06 with Jeff Garcia behind center. You can't remember something that's never happened). The Titans game is a little harder to read, their defense doesn't scare me as much as it did, but at the same time Chris Johnson scares me enough to end this sentence without further mentioning his name. Times like these you got to go with your gut, unfortunately my gut is telling me the Eagles orchestrate two losses around the bye, uh oh, 4-4. The next four games include two divisional matchups against the Redskins (Monday night) and the Giants (Sunday night), followed by the Bears in Chicago and a Thursday night game against the Houston Texans. I'm sticking by the Birds in Washington and refuse to be intimidated by Eli Manning (is his forehead still bleeding?). Week 12 in Chicago is a win against Jay “I'll prove to you I'm worth it by throwing interceptions in terrible spots” Cutler, considering the fact Devin Hester is still their greatest weapon at wide receiver and the Bears have had a rough start going 0-2 in preseason against the Chargers and yup, the Oakland Raiders. The Eagles should beat Houston at home but many believe this is the year the Texans break out with 10 wins or so, add the fact that its four days after the Bears game and that's got letdown written all over it. The good thing about the Thursday game is the Eagles will have a week and some change to prepare for the first meeting with the Girls Sunday night at Cowboys Stadium. Can Miles Austin repeat last season with all the eyes squarely on him? Does Marian Barber still have the power and skill he once had in '06 and '07, or is he back riding fantasy benches and a real one too with the emergence of Felix Jones? How is the Eagles offensive line going to hold up against that 3-4 defense? Does Wade Phillips still do that look after a bad play where he acts oblivious to what's happening even though he's the head coach? Questions only time will answer, one question I can never say yes to: are the Cowboys going to beat the Eagles? So we find the Eagles at 8-5 with three games to go. Correction: three extremely difficult games to go (a Vikings game smacked between rematches with the Giants and Cowboys). If you asked an Eagles fan today most would be satisfied with a 9-7 or even 8-8 year, but if the Eagles are 8-5 with three games to go dropping all three would be as disappointing as a post-Signs M. Night movie. You have to think best case scenarios with the Giants and Cowboys would be season splits and who knows how grandpa Favre will be feeling at the end of December. The Eagles should win one of those last three. So the Kolb era begins with a 9-7 season according to this full proof method of picking games way before they happen with little knowledge of how well this team fits in with the rest of the NFC. There is only way to find out, and that's pushing in the chips and playing it out. In the words of Mike McDermott, “You can't lose what you don't put in the middle. But you can't win much either.”
Jules talks with Brent Celek 6-5-10 Jules: Brent thanks for taking the time to sit down with me here at ITE. I'm excited to have you the opportunity to talk to you. Brent: Thank you for having me, I appreciate it. JULES: Having been born and raised in Cincinnati how have you adjusted to Philly life and how do you like it? Do you go back to your hometown in the off-season? Brent: I like it a lot more. There is a lot more going on in the city as opposed to the suburbs. I do go back to my hometown to visit my family in the off-season. JULES: I'm sure you have tried out a few cheese steak places here. Any favorite? Brent: Jim's is definitely my favorite, Jules. JULES: Nice, ok that's enough of the warm up conversation; let's talk some football because that is what the fans care about most. And of course the biggest change is at the QB position and that not only affects the team but you. What kind of relationship do you have with Kevin? What kind of adjustments to your game do you think you will have to make? Brent: I have a good relationship with Kevin. We came to the team in the same draft class. When neither of us were starting we had a lot of time to work and practice together which I feel has given us enough chemistry to where I won't have too many adjustments to make come game time. JULES: Do you think your role on the field will change in any way? More or less balls thrown your way? Brent: If Coach Reid and Coach Mornhinweg think that it will help us win games then I will see more balls thrown my way. JULES: I realize that losing Donovan was a big change for the team but how do you think the team will adjust to the loss of McNabb and do you think the Eagles will continue to be successful? Brent: Of course I think that we will be successful. Don was a great player and he will be missed but the assumption that we cannot be successful without him is motivation for us. JULES: The Eagles are a very young team now. How do you feel being part of a younger group of guys? Do you see yourself taking on more of a Leadership role with this team? Brent: It feels good because the future is ours. I definitely want to be a leader. I hope to be the type of player and person the new guys can count on for guidance on and off the field. JULES: Brent, the fans love the intensity you bring with your game, do you have any personal goals for the new season? Brent: My personal goal is to help my team reach our goal of winning the Superbowl. JULES: What would any interview be without mentioning the Captain Morgan celebration pose? I think all of the fans really liked it, are you working on some new material for the upcoming season. Obviously, one that won't get you fined by the league or a penalty. Brent: I have a couple of legal but hopefully still entertaining things in mind, keep an eye out. JULES: Brent, you have been a great sport, as we wrap up here can you give me a juicy controversial quote that will make ITE get some big time exposure? Just kidding. But one last question. What do think of passion of the Philly fans? Brent: I have never seen anything like it. The passion that the Philly fans have only adds the passion we have as players. JULES: Thanks for sitting with me and giving me some of your time. Good luck in the upcoming season. Brent: My pleasure. Thank you very much. You can follow Brent on Twitter @BrentCelek or on Facebook too.
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