Fans of the Eagles want to love other sports in Philadelphia, but year after year the other sports teams in town give you nothing to cheer about; they just leave you hanging and hoping for more.On the other hand, the Philadelphia Eagles give you hope each year and a reason to believe in a potential championship parade in South Philly.
The Eagles have one of the best teams in the NFC this season and have a legitimate chance to represent the conference in Arizona for the Super Bowl.
It’s early and maybe I am getting a head of myself, but looking at the roster, this appears to be one of the deepest Eagles teams in quite some time. The team has a great mix of veterans and young players that give them excellent depth and versatility. After looking over the roster and analyzing and projecting the players on the current squad, here are five young players that are crucial to the team’s success this season:
- Chris Gocong – The Eagles third round pick in 2006, Gocong is projected as the team’s starting strong-side linebacker. Gocong was a dominant pass rusher at the collegiate level. Although it was Division 1-AA, Gocong has the athleticism, speed and aggressiveness to make the transition from a rush end to a linebacker. Being placed on IR [after suffering from severe stingers in his neck], Gocong had the opportunity to study the playbook and redefine his game. Gocong is a player that will most likely surprise many fans with his ability to play at the SAM position and that Philly fans will love.
- Brodrick Bunkley – One of the biggest disappointments in recent memory, Bunkley has to prove to everyone that he’s a big-time player and not just a big man with a small game. Bunkley is a very talented interior lineman who possesses excellent strength and a quick first step. If he learns to use his hands more effectively and develop better technique in the trenches, Bunkley has a chance to be one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. But if he continues to approach the game the way he did last season, you can add his name to the list that includes: Jon Harris, Freddie Mitchell, and Jerome McDougle.
- Hank Baskett & Jason Avant – I know I said five players, but the combination of Baskett and Avant is very intriguing. Baskett surprised a lot of people last year and many have high expectations for him this season. Avant is a player that the Eagles coaching staff loves. He’s a receiver who possesses excellent size and has soft hands. Avant isn’t a burner and won’t beat a defensive back vertically, but he runs nice routes and is an intelligent player. The Eagles have a nice mix of receivers for the 2007 season, and Baskett and Avant only add fuel to the fire.
- Tony Hunt – The Eagles drafted the former Penn State standout this past April for two reasons: 1). To be the perfect compliment to Brian Westbrook and pick up the tough yards, and 2). To shut the critics and fans up about adding a big-back to the running game. The Eagles have Correll Buckhalter, Ryan Moats, and another 2007 running back draft pick, seventh rounder Nate Ilaoa. Buckhalter had a nice season last year, but the Eagles, in the back of their mind, have to have concerns about his knees. Moats, a 2005 third round pick, hasn’t been able to pick up the playbook and to this point has been a major disappointment. The chances of Ilaoa making the team are unknown, but all of these questions surrounding the other backs have me believing that Hunt will play an important part in the running game this season.
- Sean Considine – The Eagles envisioned Considine as the future successor to Brian Dawkins, but with the ageless wonder Dawkins still playing at a Pro-Bowl level, the plan has been revised. Ironically, Considine was the successor for the inconsistent and recently departed Michael Lewis, who signed with the Niners this off-season. The biggest problem with Considine is his size. He’s a great open field tackler who possesses a great feel for the game. This off-season its been rumored that Considine bulked up and added the size necessary to play strong safety in the NFL.
We’re only 47 days away from Training Camp!
For more on Chris, check out his website at: http://www.nfldraftpro.com
