Philadelphia Eagles 2009 NFL Season
Preview –
As
a young boy growing up in North Philadelphia, watching football and rooting for the hometown team the Philadelphia Eagles
was a rite of passage. In those days, glorious Sundays in fall were reserved for two things: (1) going to church: and, (2)
watching football. Football meant gathering the family around a 25 inch, black and white, television console in the den of
our family's home. And, football wasn't football unless the Philadelphia Eagles were playing and winning that Sunday afternoon.
Over
the years, the Eagles have won three NFL titles and gone to the Super Bowl twice, losing both of these games to the Oakland
Raiders (1981) and New England Patriots (2004). Given this illustrious history, being a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles is
not a walk in the park and requires strong faith and devotion, which is abundant in our family. It also means seeing beyond
the present and imagining the possibilities.
Indeed,
I watched in horror when the Eagles lost to the Oakland Raiders on January 25, 1981. On the other hand, I felt great anticipation
when the Eagles drafted All-American Randall W. Cunningham in 1985.
The Eagles play a big part
in my adult identity. Despite having left the Philadelphia area in 1989, my heart has stayed with the team, through thick
and thin, and my admiration for our NFL Division has only grown with time. I truly believe that our Division is what real
football is all about, and I defy anyone who says otherwise. Even the legendary coach and announcer John Madden seems at home
when covering the fierce competition between teams in our Division, and especially my team, the Eagles.
So, what does
the 2009-2010 seasons have in store for the Eagles? Lehigh University takes center stage for Eagles training camp as rookies
reported on July 26 and veteran players on July 29. Players will have their work cut out for them. Coaching staff has beefed
up with the addition of Brian Stewart as "special assistant to the defense." According to official team sources, Stewart comes
to Philly after two years in Dallas as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. There, he guided the Cowboys to two top-10 rankings
of yardage allowed. Dallas also led the League in sacks last year, and sent several defensive players to the Pro Bowl.
The
Eagles' 2009 Preseason kicks off at Lincoln Financial Field against the New England Patriots in an evening match up (7:30
pm ET) on August 13th, against the Indianapolis Colts at home (8pm ET) on August 20th, back to Philly for the Jacksonville
Jaguars (7pm ET) on August 27th, and in New York for the Jets (7pm ET) on September 3rd.
Study
the profile below, and you're ready for some Eagles' football by summer's end:
Team Established: 1933
Head Coach: Andy Reid (since
1999)
Stadium: Lincoln Financial
Field
Franchise Fun Facts:
Established in 1933, replaced the bankrupt Frankford Yellow Jackets when a group led by NFL commissioner Bert Bell bought
the rights to a Philadelphia franchise from the league. The Eagles were named after the “Blue Eagle,” a symbol
used for the New Deal programs under FDR’s Administration during the Great Depression. (Strange but true story!).
Team Strengths: The
Eagles did well in the 2009 drafts and trades and have the right stuff for post-season potential. For example, the Eagles
traded for former Detroit Lion Jeremy Maclin, a big-time playmaker whose sure to add some spark to the 2009 season. They also
scooped up former Panther LeSean McCoy, another playmaker with good hands. In the fifth round, the Eagles drafted Cornelius
Ingram and Victor Macho Harris who will likely add some oomph to the Eagles secondary.
Team Deficits: The
Eagles are a team often plagued by inconsistencies, injuries and internal conflict but what team isn’t. If the Eagles
address these elements and capitalize on their excellent draft picks, there is nothing that can stop them during regular and
post-season play. The Eagles are tough, with strong players who can win and should win. Andy Reid will flourish if team execs
and fans give him the support he needs to bring home the Conference and Super Bowl trophy.
Key Games: Inter-conference
play is always the key. Scheduled games against Washington (Oct. 26) and the Giants (Nov. 1) are key match ups.
PostSeason: Post-season
hopes are high for the Eagles. Clinching the wildcard was the key for the Eagles in the 2008 season. If they can beat their
Conference rivals, and put a chink in the Giants armor this year, they just may take the Division.
2009 Predictions:
- Tough season opener (Sept. 13) against the Carolina Panthers (12-4 in
2008). If the Eagles are clicking on all cylinders, and pre-season injuries are kept to a minimum, the Eagles will win their
first game of the season.
- The Eagles should handily beat the New Orleans Saints (8-8 in 2008) on
Sept. 20 and the Kansas City Chiefs (2-14 in 2008) on Sept. 27.
- Although 9-7 in the 2008 Season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggled with
non-conference play (1-3), which will lead to an Eagles win on Oct. 11.
- Since 1981, when the Eagles were denied a Super Bowl win, against the
Oakland Raiders (Oct.18) it’s always a grudge match. For history’s sake, I’ll call this one in favor of
the Eagles.
- On Oct. 28 a Monday night game (8:30 pm ET) against Washington will be
a tough matchup, and it’s anybody’s guess as to who comes home victorious. This is must-see, great rivalry between
two impressive clubs.
- The Eagles don’t see the New York Giants (12-4 in 2008) until Nov.
1 home game (4:15pm ET). Home field advantage and a tough match up will see an Eagles victory for sure.
- On Nov. 8, Sunday night game (8:30pm ET) against
the infamous Dallas Cowboys (9-7 in 2008), another conference rival, will trigger a few sparks with an Eagles victory assured.
Resources
Philadelphia
Eagles Home Page
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com
Philadelphia
Eagles Media Guide
http://assets.philadelphiaeagles.com/assets/team/EAGLES_MG_08.pdf
It’s
Official, Stewart Added to Coaching Staff
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=17849
NFL
2009 Draft
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009
Official
NFL Standings
http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=div&season=2008-REG&split=Overall
Pro
Football Hall of Fame
http://www.profootballhof.com
NFL
Pro Bowl
http://www.nfl.co/probowl
Lincoln
Financial Field
http://www.lincolnfinancialfield.com
Jack
J.
