Looking Ahead

Posted: May 9th, 2023 | Author: Tommy Lawlor 

The Eagles went to the Super Bowl. The team lost some big free agents, but were able to bring some key guys back. Then came a terrific draft and the trade for D’Andre Swift. The hype meter for Philly has been running high for all of 2023.

Let’s see what Peter King has to say in his post-draft power rankings.

Can’t find a weakness

1. Philadelphia. The Eagles averaged 34.7 points per game in the playoffs, have adequately compensated for losses of both coordinators, are not worse at any position (amazing on the defensive line, considering they had a 69-sack year last year and lost Javon Hargrave), have an offensive line that should keep upright a rising superstar QB-of-the-future at the top of his game, and will field two top-15 NFL wideouts entering their age-25 (DeVonta Smith) and age-26 (A.J. Brown) seasons.

The Eagles were the only team in that bracket. The Chiefs, Bengals, Niners and Bills were the teams in the "Super Bowl Vibes” category. Back to the Eagles. "Not worse at any position”? I think he is giving the Birds a lot of credit at LB and S. The Eagles lost four starters and are counting on young guys to step up. That might just happen, but I think Pete might have overstated things a bit.

Dan Hanzus from NFL.com has the Eagles at #2.

All hail Howie. The Eagles GM did it again, nabbing two hugely talented defenders in the first round in Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith, before pulling the trigger on a logical, smart trade to acquire running back D’Andre Swift from the Lions on Saturday. The moves make Philadelphia better on both sides of the ball and further entrench the Eagles as the top dog in NFC. NFL Network’s Peter Schrager reported on Saturday that GMs across the league are grumbling about the amount of praise Roseman receives from the football cognoscenti. On the playgrounds of my youth, these individuals would be labeled as sore losers.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports has the Eagles number two as well.

Their roster is even more loaded than it was after the Super Bowl loss. They killed the draft, which will make them even better. This team is clearly the best in the NFC.

The Eagles deserve to be first or second. They’re coming off a great year and have a loaded roster once again. I do wonder if the writers aren’t being a little over the top with their praise. The team lost an impact DT, above-average OG, both starting LBs, both starting safeties and a workhorse RB. That’s a lot.

I like the replacements and think there is a realistic chance this team could be better. The combination of Swift/Rashaad Penny might be outstanding in the backfield. Nakobe Dean could be a playmaking LB. I thought Reed Blankenship showed a lot last year and has excellent potential. Jordan Davis could be an impact DL now that he’s got a year under his belt. And of course we’re all excited about the rookies. Jalen Carter could start. Nolan Smith could be a key role player. Sydney Brown and Tyler Steen both have a chance to start as rookies.

History tells us one or two of those players/moves isn’t going to work. We thought Michael Bennett was a terrific addition and would boost the pass rush. Oops. We thought Andre Dillard would replace Jason Peters at LT. Oops. We thought Derek Barnett would be an impact pass rusher. Oops.

You just never know what’s going to happen, good or bad. Nobody thought Jalen Hurts would be a top starting QB. Nobody thought Haason Reddick would dominate the way he did last year.

I think the offensive staff will be okay. Losing Shane Steichen hurts, but the Eagles still have a lot of returning coaches on that side of the ball. Defense will be interesting. You hate losing good assistants like Nick Rallis (LBs) and Dennard Wilson (DBs), but Sean Desai could be an upgrade on Jonathan Gannon at DC. We’ll see if Nick Sirianni made good hires with the replacements.

There are some other things to consider. The Eagles will be hunted this year. Teams wanted to beat them last year, but the Super Bowl appearance will take things up a notch. I think other teams will also focus on Eagles schemes. The QB sneak will be studied ad infinitum. The RPO scheme will get similar treatment. The pass rush will get a ton of attention from offensive staffs.

Maybe the biggest difference will be this.

The Eagles are going to play better teams. The Eagles could have an outsanding year and lose 4 or 5 games. We’ll see the official schedule on Thursday night, but we already know the opponents.

 

Honestly, I want the tougher schedule. I think the Eagles need to be tested during the year so they’re ready for the playoffs. The Giants weren’t competitive in the divisional round last year. The Niners were a legit opponent, but the minute Brock Purdy went down, that game was over. The Eagles first real test came in the Super Bowl. And they failed.

That may sound harsh, but it’s true. The Eagles controlled the first half and led by 10, but great teams don’t stop just because they’re losing. They dig in and battle even harder. The Chiefs did that and made more key plays. The Eagles were sloppy in the second half and it cost them the game.

More tests in the fall will help the Eagles get ready for the postseason.

We’re all excited to see what this team can do, but we need to be aware that there will likely be a few more bumps in the road this time around. That just might serve the team well if they can get back to the big game.

http://igglesblitz.com/2023/05/looking-ahead/

The biggest concern is the Super Bowl hangover and the impact that may have. It’s so hard to return to the Super Bowl especially as the losing team. 

I think our biggest Achilles Heel and potential fatal flaw for the '23 season is our lack of o-line depth. Kelce & Lane are no longer spring chickens and Dickerson was oft-injured in college. Would loved to have seen one more playable o-lineman added either in the draft or FA. Or found a way to keep Seumalo.